Requisition No: 807690

Agency: Agency for Persons with Disabilities

Working Title: RUS - THERAPY ASSISTANT - 67012683

Position Number: 67012683

Salary: $1,260.00 - $1,990.25 biweekly

Posting Closing Date: 08/09/2023

Agency for Person with Disabilities – Tacachale

RESIDENTIAL UNIT SPECIALIST

WORKING TITLE: THERAPY ASSISTANT

EXTERNAL CANDIDATES ONLY

ALL EMPLOYMENT GAPS MUST BE EXPLAINED AND INCLUDED WITH WORK HISTORY WHEN APPLYING.

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:

Join TACACHALE and be part of the team that MAKES A DIFFERENCE – NOT JUST A LIVING, impacting the lives of developmentally disabled adults!

For additional benefit information available to State of Florida employees, go to http://www.mybenefits.myflorida.com

Responsibilities:

Monitors and creates reports on physical management programs and various equipment on assigned homes in accordance with the Physical Management operating procedure. Observes and provides immediate feedback, recommendations or advice on improvements to the program. Discusses concerns or alternate programming with supervising occupational or physical therapist.

Conducts medically prescribed exercise programs or Individualized Program Plan (IPP) utilizing appropriate transfer techniques as necessary in the department or other locations throughout Tacachale campus. Takes baseline vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, O2 sat, heart rate). Assesses patient variations from baseline per PT/PTA directives, which may result in safety hazards, i.e., possible seizure activity, behavioral changes including aggression or lethargy. Makes necessary adjustments to the treatment protocol, as prescribed by the supervising licensed personnel, in order to achieve targeted goals. Motivates and distracts residents to complete testing or exercise protocols. Provides appropriate pre and post-test conditions for safety (hydration, cool down).

Used as a floater in the Occupational Therapy Department or other Division Departments completing routine tasks as instructed by department professionals.

Assists the licensed physical therapy staff in performing physical examinations. Extracts relevant information from the resident’s chart, as instructed, and obtains additional information from direct care staff as necessary.

Documents treatment procedures in physical therapy records. Informs professional physical therapy staff of any unexpected resident responses requiring their professional skill and knowledge.

Stocks and monitors wound supply cabinet and adaptive equipment for availability, as well as submits individual orders to Health Services Supervisor as instructed by PT for compression hose, orthopedic shoes, and other orthopedic needs. Assesses skin integrity and demonstrates competency in donning and doffing braces, compression hose, custom insoles, therapeutic shoes, and adaptive equipment as directed by the PT/PTA.

Operates and maintains equipment to include the therapeutic treadmill, exercise bicycle, heart rate monitor, scale and height measures, computer, video camera, DVD and VCR. Also maintains clinic for readiness and cleans after treatment.

As needed, assist resident with daily living skills to prepare them for their treatment/therapy.

Initiates resident related supplemental programs to enhance motivation and improve attendance.

Attends staff meeting and in-service trainings as required.

Performs other related duties as required.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities:

Ability to lift 50 pounds repetitively and with appropriate body mechanics.

Ability to perform basic PASS techniques.

Effective verbal, non-verbal, and written communication skills.

Knowledge of commonly used basic human anatomy terminology.

Receptive in clinic setting to learn new strategies for addressing residents and Individual Support Plan.

Exhibit initiative during downtime for self-direction in addressing clinic presentation and readiness for business day.

Work Schedule

This position is located at a 24- hour facility. Working hours are Monday thru Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Regular Off Days: Saturday and Sunday.

Minimum Requirements:

This position may be required to perform essential services before, during, and after an emergency per APD OP 2-0035.

This position is critical to the safety and supervision of residents and may require the incumbent to work beyond their normal work schedule to maintain minimum coverage levels in the facility.

Qualifying Questions: Your responses to qualifying questions for this position must be verifiable by documentation provided through the electronic application process.

Direct Deposit Program: As a condition of employment, a person appointed to a position in State government is required to participate in the Direct Deposit Program.

Background Screening Requirement: It is the policy of the Florida Agency for Persons with Disabilities that candidates being considered for employment must successfully complete a State and National criminal history check as a condition of employment before beginning employment, and be screened in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, Florida Statutes, and if applicable Chapter 408, F.S.

Background screening shall include, but not be limited to: Fingerprinting for State and Federal criminal and juvenile records through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and may include local criminal records check through local law enforcement agencies. Also, employees are subject to background re-screening at least every five (5) years.

Special Requirements: You may be required to provide your Social Security Number to conduct required verifications. Male candidates born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion in the Career Service, or appointment in the Selected Exempt Service (SES) or Senior Management Service (SMS) unless they are registered with the Selective Service System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS.

EEO Statement: THE STATE OF FLORIDA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTIVE EMPLOYER AND DOES NOT TOLERATE DISCRIMINATION OR VIOLENCE IN THE WORKPLACE.

Reasonable Accommodation: C ANDIDATES REQUIRING A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION, AS DEFINED BY THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, MUST NOTIFY THE AGENCY HIRING AUTHORITY AND/OR PEOPLE FIRST SERVICE CENTER (1-877-562-7287). NOTIFICATION TO THE HIRING AUTHORITY MUST BE MADE IN ADVANCE TO ALLOW SUFFICIENT TIME TO PROVIDE THE ACCOMMODATION.

Drug Free Workplace: THE STATE OF FLORIDA IS A DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE. ALL EMPLOYEES ARE SUBJECT TO REASONABLE SUSPICION DRUG TESTING IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 112.0455, F.S., DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE ACT.

E-Verify: WE HIRE ONLY U.S. CITIZENS AND THOSE LAWFULLY AUTHORIZED TO WORK IN THE U.S. WE PARTICIPATE IN THE U.S. GOVERNMENT’S EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION PROGRAM (E-VERIFY). E-VERIFY IS A PROGRAM THAT ELECTRONICALLY CONFIRMS AN EMPLOYEE’S ELIGIBILITY TO WORK IN THE U.S. AFTER COMPLETION OF THE EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION FORM (I-9).

ALL CANDIDATES SHOULD COMPLETE THE ON-LINE PROFILE PROCESS. IF ASSISTANCE IS NEEDED TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION, PLEASE CALL THE PEOPLE FIRST SERVICE CENTER AT 1-877-562-7287.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE. Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements. Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code. Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here. All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.