Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA)

Position: Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Compensation: $33-$45

Dept: Clinical Type: Non-exempt

Reports To: Physical Therapist Location: On Site

Company Overview:

Shrub Oak International School (SOIS) is a therapeutic day and residential school for autistic children, adolescents, and young adults with complex co-occurring conditions. Located in northern Westchester County, Shrub Oak offers unparalleled educational opportunities for autistic students in a family-centric, supportive environment. We offer a variety of programs to meet the needs of students across the spectrum, and our curriculum is based on the most advanced and successful evidence-based clinical and academic approaches in ASD education.

As a school, SOIS maintains a smoke-free environment to ensure the health and safety of our students, employees, and community. We are a residential school located on a scenic 127-acre campus, which includes multiple buildings and a working farm for student programming. The work environment will include both indoor and outdoor spaces.

Who We Are:

SOIS is a community of dedicated professionals who work together to find meaning with and for our students. We strive to make every day memorable in positive ways and to manage students’ difficulties as a team. We are accountable, timely, and show up whenever needed to support our students and each other.

We are guided day-to-day by our four core principles.

• We Care

• We are Innovative

• We are Collaborative

• We are Resourceful

Benefits: (check for FT, PT or All)

• Reduced Cost Meals every shift on site (All)

• Employee assistance program (EAP) (All)

• Insurance coverage: Health, vision, dental, life, supplemental and pet insurance (FT)

• Flexible spending account (FSA) (FT)

• Generous Paid time off (PTO) (FT)

• 401k w/company match (FT)

• Tuition/Professional development assistance (FT)

Who You Are:

• You have a passion for working with the autism population and supporting students with diverse physical, developmental, sensory, and behavioral needs.

• You are a compassionate and collaborative Physical Therapist Assistant who is committed to helping students improve mobility, strength, coordination, balance, endurance, and overall functional independence.

• You are experienced in implementing therapeutic interventions and exercise programs under the direction of a licensed Physical Therapist to support students in educational, residential, and community-based settings.

• You understand the importance of creating safe, supportive, and structured environments that promote student success and well-being.

• You are patient, adaptable, and able to build positive relationships with students, families, interdisciplinary teams, and staff.

• You are comfortable supporting students with physical assistance, adaptive equipment, positioning, transfers, gait training, and mobility needs throughout the school day.

• You work effectively both independently and collaboratively while maintaining professionalism, accountability, and strong attention to detail.

• You communicate clearly and professionally and are comfortable documenting services, progress, and observations using digital systems and therapy documentation platforms.

Job Responsibilities:

• Implement individualized physical therapy treatment plans under the supervision of a licensed Physical Therapist.

• Support students in improving mobility, strength, coordination, balance, posture, endurance, and functional motor skills.

• Assist students with transfers, ambulation, positioning, gait training, and the use of adaptive equipment.

• Provide therapeutic interventions in classroom, residential, recreational, and community-based settings as appropriate.

• Monitor student performance and communicate observations, progress, and concerns to the supervising Physical Therapist and interdisciplinary team.

• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of therapy sessions, student progress, and daily notes in accordance with school, state, and regulatory requirements.

• Collaborate with teachers, clinicians, residential staff, nursing, and related service providers to support student goals and daily functioning.

• Maintain therapy spaces, equipment, and supplies in clean, safe, and organized condition.

• Follow all safety procedures, infection control practices, and student support protocols.

• Participate in meetings, trainings, and professional development activities as required.

• Support students during transitions, campus mobility, and participation in school activities as needed.

• Maintain confidentiality, professionalism, and positive working relationships in all student and staff interactions.

• Complete and maintain TCIS training and all required compliance trainings and certifications.

• Perform additional duties and responsibilities as assigned to support student and campus needs.

Please note: This job description is not a comprehensive list of tasks or responsibilities. Specific assignments can change within the relevant field and training of your position, with or without notice.

Competencies:   

• CPR

• First Aid

• Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Training for Schools (TCIS)

• Mandated Reporter Training

Position Requirements:

• An associate degree from an accredited Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program is required.

• Current New York State Physical Therapist Assistant license required.

• Minimum of 2 years of experience as a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) required.

• Minimum of 1 year of experience working with children, adolescents, or young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), developmental disabilities, or complex behavioral/physical needs preferred.

• Experience in a residential, educational, pediatric, or multidisciplinary therapeutic setting strongly preferred.

• Experience in educational, residential, pediatric, or therapeutic settings preferred.

• Knowledge of therapeutic exercises, mobility support techniques, adaptive equipment, and safe transfer procedures required.

• Strong interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills required.

• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team is required.

• Strong organizational skills and the ability to maintain accurate documentation are required.

• Computer literacy and experience with Electronic Medical Records (EMR) or electronic documentation systems preferred.

Due to the nature of work in supporting our students, all job description list the physical requirements for that position

• Our campus consists of some paved areas but primarily consists of grass, gravel paths and parking lots. Additionally, many areas of our building are fully accessible, however, as a historic building some areas are only accessible by stairs.

• You must be able to ambulate around the campus, including hills, stairs, grass and gravel.

• Student Facing Positions:

• Must be able to react and move quickly during student crisis, both for the safety of the student and for the staff.

• Must be able to run across the campus and throughout the school to catch/monitor an eloping student, and/or to remove yourself from an unsafe situation.

• You must be able to pass TCIS (Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Training for Schools).

• You must be able to bend, stretch, sit, stand, crouch or kneel for sustained periods of time if implementing a hold.

• Special Accommodations can be requested but will only be approved if the accommodation does not impact the ability to perform your position and it does not put yourself, a student, or any other staff member at risk of harm or injury.

EEO Statement:

Shrub Oak is an equal employment opportunity employer. Shrub Oak International School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Reasonable accommodation can be requested to enable individuals with disabilities to apply for a job or to perform the essential functions of their job. Requests may be approved if the position/department/school/students will not be adversely affected. Please advise us if you require a reasonable accommodation.

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