Physical Therapist

Physical Therapist

Primary Purpose: Plan and provide physical therapy services for students with disabilities as defined under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 and/or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1975 in accordance with the Texas Physical Therapy Rules and Act, and maintain in accordance with these state licensure requirements as they are updated and approved by the licensing board. Conduct physical therapy evaluations in accordance with state and federal regulations to determine the physical therapy-related service needs of students with disabilities. Serve as a support to campus teams in addressing the campus and transportation accessibility needs of students with disabilities.

Qualifications: Minimum Education/Certification: Doctorate in Physical Therapy (Master's in Physical Therapy acceptable if acquired before 2005 and Texas Physical Therapist license maintained to date, Bachelor's in Physical Therapy acceptable if acquired before 2000 and Texas Physical Therapist license maintained to date) Valid Texas license as a Physical Therapist granted by the Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners Experience in providing school-based or early childhood intervention physical therapy services preferred

Special Knowledge/Skills: Plan and provide physical therapy services in an integrated service delivery model to facilitate students with disabilities to achieve goals developed in collaboration with instructional personnel. Document all services provided with data-based methods to support ongoing assessment of student strengths and needs related to physical therapy and determine effective methods for addressing identified needs, including through the use of adaptive equipment in the least restrictive environment. Recommend and provide training for district, campus, and departmental personnel as indicated to support the effective implementation of daily instructional routines and incorporate appropriate support to meet the daily positioning, mobility, transfer, transportation, and daily hygiene needs of students with disabilities. Maintain district adaptive equipment inventory supporting the positioning and mobility (including locomotion) needs of students with disabilities. Make recommendations for inventory needs as indicated.

Major Responsibilities and Duties: Evaluation: Conduct a physical therapy evaluation as an integrated component of a full and individual evaluation to determine the physical therapy-related service needs of students recommended for physical therapy evaluation. Prepare physical therapy evaluation reports in accordance with state and federal regulations and district procedures. Participate in the Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) Committee to assist with the design of a meaningful and appropriate standards-based IEP in accordance with district procedures.

Service Provision: Plan and provide physical therapy supports and services as indicated in the students' Individualized Education Program (IEP) Design, construct, alter, and provide students with adaptive equipment and devices to promote independent participation in school-related activities. Collaborate with student intervention teams upon request to consider support for students in the response to the intervention process. Provide staff development training to assist district, campus, and classroom personnel in meeting the daily positioning, mobility (including locomotion), transfer, transportation, and hygiene needs of students with disabilities. Collaborate with parents of students with disabilities to support their participation in meeting the needs of their student in accordance with district procedures. Work in collaboration with other instructional and related service personnel.

Documentation: Maintain all district special education data management systems in accordance with district procedures. Document all services provided with data-based methods to support ongoing assessment of student strengths and needs as it relates to physical therapy services. Participate in the continuing evaluation of the physical therapy program provided in the district and implement identified needs for change in accordance with district procedures.

Professional/Ethical: Compile, maintain, and file all physical and computerized reports, records, and other documents in accordance with district procedures. Comply with policies established by federal and state law, State Board of Education rule, and local board policy. Comply with all district and campus routines and regulations. Effectively communicate with colleagues, students, parents, administrators, and district stakeholders. Participate in professional development activities to improve skills related to job assignments. Supervisory responsibilities: supervise physical therapy assistant(s).