NJ Civil Service Navigator

PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT

Code: 04810 Local Non-Competitive

There is no civil service exam for Physical Therapist Assistant. As a non-competitive local-government title, it is filled on the strength of meeting the listed qualifications.

What it takes is a valid NJ driver's license.

How to apply

This title is not filled by examination — agencies appoint directly.

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Where this title is used

Physical Therapist Assistant is a local service title. It is filled by the counties, municipalities, authorities and other employers that have adopted civil service under Title 11A, not by State departments. Those employers set pay by ordinance or contract rather than from a State salary schedule, which is why most local titles carry no salary range here.

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Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under supervision of a physical therapist, administers varied types of physical therapy treatments to patients to restore function, prevent disability, and help them reach maximum performance; does other related duties as required.

Examples of work

  • May assist in planning therapy programs for patients and in treating disabilities through use of massage, exercise, and effective properties of physical agents such as water, heat, light rays, air, sound, and electricity according to a physician's prescription.
  • May assist in performing complex treatments and/or in performing tests and evaluations of patients.
  • Follows established procedures and observes safety precautions in the use and application of heat, cold, light, water, sound, and massage.
  • Carries out positioning and exercises.
  • Trains patients in predetermined exercises, ambulating, and activities of daily living.
  • Observes, records, and reports patient's condition, reactions, and other responses to the physical therapist.
  • Keeps the physical therapy areas and equipment in clean, neat, orderly, and safe condition.
  • Prepares reports.
  • Maintains essential records and files.
  • Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

License

Possession of a current, valid license as a Physical Therapist Assistant issued by the NJ Board of Physical Therapy.

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

  • Knowledge of standards, theory, principles, methods, and commonly used equipment of physical therapy including electrotherapy, hydrotherapy, massage, therapeutic exercises, and functional training.
  • Knowledge of potential hazards involved in physical therapy treatments and of precautionary measures to be taken.
  • Knowledge of anatomy and kinesiology and of effects of therapeutic exercise and some familiarity with orthopedic clinical work.
  • Ability to carry out prescribed physical therapy with skill in muscle reeducation, corrective exercise, gait training, coordination, the application of various types of heat and electrotherapy.
  • Ability to work harmoniously with associates and patients to gain their cooperation.
  • Ability to observe accurately reactions and progress or lack of progress of patients and to record same appropriately.
  • Ability to adjust and make minor repairs to physical therapy equipment and apparatus.
  • Ability to recognize potential hazards and dangerous situations, and to take those measures required to ensure their removal and/or correction.
  • Ability to prepare reports, write progress notes, and to maintain other records and files.
  • Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
  • Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
  • Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.