Physical Therapist Assistant

Physical Therapy Assistant

Qualifications: Associate's degree from an accredited physical therapy assistant program at a technical or community college, college, or university required. Pediatric or school-based experience preferred.

Location: Sumter School District Annex

Reports To: Executive Director of Student Support Services

General Responsibilities: Physical therapy assistants provide services under the supervision and direction of a licensed physical therapist for special education students. These services provide essential support to individual education programs as determined by the IEP team. PTAs implement selected components of interventions/treatment, obtain data related to the interventions provided, and make modifications in selected interventions either to progress the student as directed by the physical therapist or to ensure student safety and comfort.

Performance Responsibilities:

• Collaborate to develop individual goals and objectives for students based upon previous and current progress, areas of deficits and needs to be incorporated into the student's IEP.
• Under the supervision of a physical therapist, implement appropriate physical therapy services to support the goals and objectives of a student's IEP.
• Identify environmental needs/barriers and make recommendations for accommodations/physical modifications under the supervision of a physical therapist.
• Independently conducts both individual and group physical therapy treatments as assigned by the physical therapist.
• Monitors student's response to intervention and consults with the physical therapist if modification is indicated.
• Assists in the selection of physical therapy techniques/media and in the sequence of activities, adapts techniques/media as indicated by student performance and following consultation with the physical therapist.
• Records billable treatment times and provides documentation for students receiving MEDICAID according to school system guidelines.
• Participate in staff development activities for personnel.
• Attend staff meetings and other school meetings when appropriate.
• Maintain and clean supplies, equipment and other therapy areas.
• Maintain required documentation and data collection of therapy sessions.
• Follow the division's policies and procedures as related to guidelines and instructional initiatives.
• Consistently demonstrates sound judgment in the implementation, planning, and follow-up of student therapy programs.
• Perform other relevant duties and responsibilities as assigned by the supervisor.

Physical Requirements: Must have the use of sensory skills in order to effectively communicate and interact with others through the use of the telephone and personal contact as normally defined by the ability to see, read, talk, hear, handle or feel objects and controls. Standing, walking, siting, stooping, kneeling, bending, and crouching are regularly required of the position. The employee is required to have visual and hearing acuity sufficient enough to assess patient safety and ability. Capable of exerting 20-50 pounds of force occasionally (less than 1/3 of the time) and/or 10-20 pounds of force frequently (1/2 of the time) and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly (2/3 or more of the time) to move objects, equipment and/or perform medium to maximum transfer assists with students.

Evaluation: Performance of this job will be evaluated annually in accordance with provisions of the Board's policy on evaluation. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. Employees will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other related duties as assigned by the Principal or appropriate administrator. Sumter School District reserves the right to update, revise or change this job description or application deadline at any time for the efficient operation of the district. Sumter School District is an equal opportunity employer.