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State of Washington Classified Job Specification

THERAPY AIDE

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THERAPY AIDE
Class Code: 310P
Category: Health Care


Definition

Under a certified Occupational, or Physical Therapist or Speech Pathologist, assists in designing and implementing sub-programs or screening residents within a given therapy program. Within the Department of Veterans Affairs, under the supervision of a physician, podiatrist, or audiologist, performs podiatric care/treatment and audiometric care for members of the Washington Soldiers' Home and Colony or the Washington Veterans' Home.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Assists under the direct supervision of a certified Occupational or Physical Therapist or a Speech Pathologist or a physician, podiatrist, or an audiologist in planning and carrying out therapy programs in their specialty and the routine therapeutic treatment programs as described.

Typical Work

Guides and aids individuals or groups in general therapy programs;

Reports progress and reactions of patients verbally and in writing;

Prepares materials for therapeutic activities and maintains an adequate supply of materials;

Makes minor repairs or adjustments to therapeutic machines and equipment;

Performs podiatric care and treatments which include reducing corns and calluses, clipping ingrown toenails, applying medications to skin eruptions and foot ulcers;

Provides routine palliative grooming care to disabled and psycho-ambulatory members;

Assists in pre-operative preparation, chairside nail evulsions and post- operative care;

Fits and orders specialized brace shoes and other type shoes for members as required;

Establishes appointments for members to have yearly assessments by physician or podiatrist;

Performs ear irrigation cleansings and audiometer graphing on patients;

Fits hearing aids and makes repairs when necessary;

Charts footcare and earcare performed on members' medical records;

Performs other duties as required.

Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of: personality development; psychiatric and/or orthopedic; general medical and surgical; introduction of rehabilitation techniques; methods and practices of practical nursing; personal hygiene and sanitation; general house- keeping; recordkeeping/report preparation; chairside podiatry; audiometric techniques.

Ability to: work effectively with patients or residents and staff; understand treatment goals, social situations, and activity media; motivate and sustain patient or resident interest in therapy programs; operate equipment and tools used in therapy programs; secure and maintain confidence and cooperation of patients; follow written and oral instructions.

Legal Requirement(s)

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

Desirable Qualifications

Two years of experience in an occupational or physical therapy program under the supervision of a certified therapist.

OR

Completion of an Occupational Therapy Assistant training program approved by the American Occupational Therapy Association may be substituted for the required experience.

OR

Completion of a Physical Therapy training program approved by the Physical Therapy Association may be substituted for the required experience.

OR

For those Therapy Aides working for Speech Pathologists, only a Bachelor's degree with a major study in Speech Pathology or Communicative Disorders may be required.

OR

For specific positions within the Department of Veterans Affairs, two years of experience in a podiatric or audiometric care program under the supervision of a physician or podiatrist.  Completion of a course in podiatry treatment or in audiometry treatment may be substituted for one year of experience.

Class Specification History

New class, effective January 16, 1976
Revised July 15, 1977; revises definition, distinguishing characteristics and minimum qualifications
Revised August 15, 1986; emergency basis; permanent basis October 10, 1986; revises definition, distinguishing characteristics, and minimum qualifications
Revised December 12, 1986; revises minimum qualifications
New class code, formerly 57140; effective July 1, 2007