Job Description

This position is open to current Colorado residents only.

Please note: This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

About Grand Junction Regional Center Facility:

This work unit exists to support the delivery of active treatment, habilitation, rehabilitation and instruction to individuals with intellectual disabilities residing in the Grand Junction Regional Center (GJRC) intermediate care facilities in compliance with State and Federal regulations. This work unit provides therapeutic, behavioral, social, and vocational training services for individuals with intellectual disabilities for the purpose of assisting to attain the highest level of independence.

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The Physical Therapist will provide Physical Therapy support and services to developmentally disabled people who reside in the ICF-IID group homes and individuals with complex medical and/or mental health needs who reside at the Grand Junction Regional Center (GJRC). The purpose of the regional centers is to serve the hardest to serve Intellectually Disabled individuals in the state and these residents have profound and severe disabilities with multiple handicaps associated with their disability that result in a high level of Physical Therapy needs. Many residents have psychiatric illnesses and behavioral challenges coupled with their cognitive and physical disabilities.

Additionally, as a Physical Therapist III you can expect to:

• Perform complete and/or specific physical therapy assessments for intellectually disabled people by adapting musculoskeletal, neuromuscular and gross motor development tests to meet their special needs and relating these to functional and/or health outcomes
• Tailor primary Physical Therapy theories and principles to develop different approaches and plans to meet the unique needs of the intellectually disabled individuals served at the regional center
• Determines method of implementation based on tailoring existing guidelines for physical therapy to meet the unique needs of individuals served at the GJRC. Order or assist in developing adaptive positioning or therapy equipment and supplies for IID people to prevent further deformity, decrease pain, or improve function
• Provide intensive training and role modeling to program and residential direct care staff for physical therapy programs
• Provides ongoing monitoring and makes adaptations to programs as necessary to ensure progress occurs when expected and that skills and abilities are maintenance when expected
• Develop specific objectives and programs, design appropriate data sheets, collect and analyze data and summarize information
• Documents progress and status of assigned individuals’ programs and objectives in the Resident Record in accordance with GJRC policies
• Determine needed revisions to flat-lined programs to assure further individual progress that often necessitates developing creative and unique strategies to increase interest and participation in the program
• Directly implements selected programs and active treatment plans. Provides ongoing consultation and/or supervision for staff who follow the written programs to ensure the identified habilitation needs and intent of the programs are met
• Participates in and provides input to the Interdisciplinary (ID) Team meetings, Department meetings and the resident’s annual Individual Planning meetings (IP’s)
• Other duties as assigned

• Current, valid Colorado State licensure or certification related to the work assignment

• Two (2) years of professional experience in an occupational field related to the work assigned to the position

• Colorado DORA licensure for Physical Therapist required

• CDHS employees (all Direct contact with vulnerable persons):
  CBI name check and fingerprint check, ICON Colorado court database, Medicare fraud database, Reference Checks, Professional License verification (licensure requirements), Drug Screen, PREA (Division of Youth Services), Trails check (direct contact with children), CAPS (direct contact with adults – Mental Health Institutes, Regional Centers, Veterans Community Living Centers)
• Pre-employment Physical: Must demonstrate the ability to lift 50 lbs., bend squat, etc. and perform physical interventions proficiently (pre-employment and continuously throughout employment). TB test required.
• Pass and be competent in approved physical intervention techniques
• Must take successfully pass a Tuberculosis (TB) test. 
• Valid and unrestricted US Drivers License.
• Travel: Position must travel to remote work sites and must utilize a state vehicle, if available.
  If not, must utilize personal vehicle and submit for mileage reimbursement. Position is required to use a state vehicle to transport residents
• Shift Work – Eligible per DPA pay plan
• Requires Influenza and COVID Vaccines as determined by state and facility.
• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose the information on the application and provide an explanation why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify the applicant from the current position. Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with CDHS. 
  Appeal Rights: 
  If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director.
  An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative. This form must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email (dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us), postmarked in US Mail or hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203), or faxed (303.866.5038) within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the department’s action.
  For more information about the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it to the State Personnel Board; go to  spb.colorado.gov ; contact the State Personnel Board for assistance at (303) 866-3300; or refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at  spb.colorado.gov under Rules.

For additional recruiting questions, please contact joel.drahos@state.co .us

About Us: 

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, consider joining the dedicated people of the  Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS). Our professionals strive to design and deliver high quality human and health services that improve the safety, independence, and well-being of the people of Colorado. In addition to a great location and rewarding and meaningful work, we offer:

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a  PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan  plus 401(k) and 457 plans

• Employer supplemented  Health Savings Account

• Paid life insurance

• Short- and long-term disability coverage

• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave

• BenefitHub state employee discount program

• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more

• Remote work arrangements for eligible positions

*Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more

information, go to  .

Our Values:

We believe in a people-first approach:  To serve the people of Colorado, we develop a culture and work environment that creates an energized, inspired, and healthy team capable of giving their best to Coloradans .

Balance creates quality of life:  We want our team to be resilient through a supportive workplace that values flexibility, health and wellness, and employee engagement.

We hold ourselves accountable:  We take responsibility through our actions, programs, and results for the state of health and human services in Colorado.

Transparency matters:  We are open and honest with employees, our partners, the Coloradans we serve, and the public.

We are ethical:  We abide by what is best for those we serve by doing what is right, not what is easy.

Collaboration helps us rise together:  We work together with all partners, employees, and clients to achieve the best outcomes for Coloradans.

We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of diverse backgrounds and abilities.

ADAA Accommodations: CDHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAA Coordinator, Nancy Schmelzer, at cdhs_ada@state.co.us or call 1-800-929-0791.

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