Physical Therapist

Job Description General Definition of Work Under general or occasional supervision, the school physical therapist, as a member of the team, supports the education of students suspected of and/or diagnosed with a disability in their least restrictive environment. The physical therapist develops implements and coordinates a physical therapy program with the local educational agency (LEA); providing screening, evaluation, intervention services and transition planning. Skilled provision of physical therapy prevents injury (acute or chronic) of both students and educational staff. When working with students with disabilities and serious health impairments, the therapist is expected to analyze risk, problem solve effectively and demonstrate a high level of professional judgment when recommending and providing services, making environmental modifications and training staff to manage physical needs. Direct supervision may be exercised over support personnel and must be provided to physical therapy assistants. Consultation with educational and community personnel is also an essential component of the physical therapist’s roles and responsibilities. Employee is also responsible for documenting treatment planning and treatment activities, preparing evaluation reports, documenting student progress, and the development of a Plan of Care/ Intervention plan. Employee is also responsible for modifications of equipment and/or environment and site‑based in‑service training as necessary. Qualification Requirements Master’s Degree in physical therapy. Two years of experience (preferably in pediatrics). Participation in recent continuing education programs related to pediatric or school‑based physical therapy. Special Requirements Graduation from an accredited program of physical therapy. Certification to practice in North Carolina as evidenced by current licensure as a Physical Therapist by the North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Knowledge of physical therapy principles, theory, methods and evidence‑based practice. Knowledge of effective practice, clinical decision making, outcomes based intervention and their proper application in the educational environment. Knowledge of areas of practice specific to pediatrics, including child development and specific diagnoses. Knowledge of administrative management practices. Ability to plan, implement, administer and coordinate a physical therapy program, from eligibility determination to exit, within an LEA. Ability to select and administer appropriate assessment tools and interpret results of assessment. Skill in selecting and providing a wide range of intervention strategies and monitoring their effectiveness. Ability to plan, coordinate and provide training and continuing education both formally and informally to parents, school administration, school staff, community agencies, staff and other medical professionals. Skill in effective oral and written communication. Knowledge of current legal mandates, including federal and state law, compliance issues, confidentiality requirements, funding procedures and requirements. Physical ability to execute job responsibilities that may include transferring and/or lifting students or equipment, managing equipment. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with children, students, parents, staff and administration and the general public. Salary Salary MH18 Reports to Related Services Coordinator Essential Functions Collaborates with other disciplines to ensure team understanding of student occupational performance strengths and needs, through evaluation, educational program planning, and service delivery. Assesses student’s ability using appropriate evaluation tools, observations, functional assessments and review of medical and other agency reports. Conducts interviews with parents and staff to determine the need for a therapy intervention plan. Must have the ability to research and determine evidence‑based practice supporting therapy interventions. Synthesizes evaluation results into comprehensive written report, which reflects strengths and barriers to student participation in the educational environment directly related to referral concern. Develops and implements intervention strategies. Participates in interdisciplinary meetings to review evaluation results, offer recommendations, and develop individualized education plans and intervention plans to achieve IEP goals. Consults with school‑based team to achieve student outcomes. Develops physical management plan for daily classroom routines and trains staff in its safe implementation. Provides instruction in management techniques, use of adapted equipment, and environmental modifications including the identification of architectural barriers. Educates student, educational personnel, and family to facilitate skills in areas of occupation as well as health maintenance and safety. Monitors and reassesses the effects of physical therapy intervention and the need to continue, modify, or discontinue intervention and reports student progress to IEP team members. Documents occupational therapy services to ensure accountability of service provision and to meet standards for reimbursement of services as appropriate. Documents need and requests assistive technology and equipment for students with special needs. Prioritizes and schedules work tasks independently. Manages inventory of therapeutic equipment that is checked out to the therapist and/or assigned school(s). Maintains clinical and administrative records in accordance with professional standards, state guidelines, and school system policy. When assigned, provides legal and ethical supervision of physical therapy assistant assuming responsibility for the students served by the assistant. Submits accurate and timely caseload information to supervisor based on monthly, quarterly or semester reporting periods. Logs therapy services in electronic data management system for each session provided. Completes quarterly progress notes for students who receive direct therapy. Teaches, monitors, and collaborates with educational personnel, community agencies, parents and students to increase understanding of the student’s physical performance. Participates in continuing education for professional development to ensure practice is consistent with established best practice and NC licensure requirements. Contributes to the planning of safe transportation of students with disabilities. Provides clinical, educational opportunities for students of physical therapy. Provides consultation regarding emergency evacuation of students with disabilities. Contributes to discussions involving school accessibility and planning appropriate environmental modifications. Uses professional Code of Ethics and standards of practice to guide ethical decision making in practice. Advises administration and staff regarding bus travel safety; lifting and transfer techniques; architectural barriers and adapted equipment techniques and medical precautions. Performs other related work as required. Physical Requirements Must be physically able to operate a variety of automated office machines including computers, typewriters, calculators, printers, copiers, wheelchairs, standers, walkers, switches and other assistive technology used in therapy. Must be able to exert up to 40 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Work regularly requires speaking or hearing, frequently requires standing, walking and sitting and occasionally requires using hands to finger, handle or feel, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, reaching with hands and arms, lifting and repetitive motions. Work has standard vision requirements. Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly. Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound. Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data. Work occasionally requires exposure to bloodborne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment. Work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic). Disclaimer The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to this job. #J-18808-Ljbffr