Physical Therapist

Physical Therapist Position

The Vermilion Association for Special Education is seeking a full or part-time Physical Therapist. The physical therapist will evaluate and program children with identified motor needs in the context of education relevance. The Physical Therapist will also supervise the physical therapy assistant. The Vermilion Association for Special Education serves 10 rural school districts in Vermilion County, so willingness and ability to travel throughout the county. Physical Therapy License from the State of Illinois Department of Professional Regulations. Salary and benefits are based on education and experience. Anticipated salary no less than $65,000 for 180 days of employment (mid-August through early June). Job duties include:

• Cooperate and maintain liaison between district superintendents, supervisors, directors, teachers, parents, students, appropriate personnel, and community agencies providing assistance to improve the quality of service.
• Completes forms required for statistical reporting.
• Administers physical therapy treatment as outlined in "Recommended Practices for Occupational and Physical Therapy Services in Illinois Schools" 2003, Illinois State Board of Education Recommends Change in treatment to physician if indicated.
• Discusses condition and treatment course of students with physician, teachers, parents, school nurses, and school administrators.
• Effectively consults with classroom teachers in regards to therapy programs, appropriate positioning techniques, appropriate classroom activities, and suggested uses of adaptive equipment.
• Maintains records pertinent to treatment of students.
• Participates in development of Individual Education Programs for each student served.
• Evaluates progress of treatment plans.
• Evaluates need for new equipment or repair of old.
• Attends and participates in staffing conferences.
• Suggests curriculum modifications for children receiving physical therapy.
• Interprets diagnosis and prescribed therapy plans and effectively communicates to school staff in layman's language.
• Administers correct treatment plans.
• Enhancing school mobility and participation in educational activities by increasing strength, accuracy and speed.
• Ensuring easier total care by maintaining flexibility.
• Improving manipulative skills for self-care and paper/pencil tasks through reach, grasp and dexterity.
• Enhancing comfort, participation and attending by maintaining functional postures.
• Increasing functional use of hands and visual regard by providing stable positions.
• Ensuring independence in feeding and oral motor skills for safety and nourishment.
• Maintaining functional movement by prevention of contractures and deformities.
• Facilitating safety in the school environment by decreasing the possibility of injury to student's self or others as he/she moves or performs skills/tasks.
• Improving success for small muscle school tasks by increasing coordination of eye-hand movements.
• Facilitating access to and mobility within school by assessing and changing the environment.
• Increasing functional use of extremities through adapted equipment.
• Enhancing ability to learn through sensor motor activities that address motor planning, attending and behavior issues.
• Arranging preparation for vocational needs.
• Promoting competency and safety of educational staff in body mechanics, handling techniques, motor skills and classroom adaptations.
• Facilitating student's independence through access to assistive technology.
• Helping parents and staff understand and accept the child's disability, learn to work with the child, and plan a realistic future.
• Provide supervision to Physical Therapist Assistant