PHYSICAL THERAPIST - 26-27 SY

Physical Therapist

The Physical Therapist is a member of a multidisciplinary school team that assists in identifying students with physical disabilities, and provides support to the student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 Plan. Physical Therapists provide therapeutic interventions that promote motor development, functional mobility and safe access and participation in the student's educational program. This position requires direct interaction with students, as well as the development and implementation of educational plans with teachers, administrators, and parents.

Essential Functions:

• Participate in IEP and team meetings, including parent conferences, to determine the need for physical therapy as a related service or as a reasonable accommodation.
• Gather appropriate information from parents, students, and other team members regarding the child's functional motor performance in school settings.
• Conduct appropriate evaluation of students referred for services by selecting, administering, and interpreting a variety of screening instruments and standardized measurement tools; identify need for physical therapy services based on evaluation results.
• Formulate therapy plans for students.
• Provide direct and indirect physical therapy in educational settings and coordinate physical therapy interventions within the school program.
• Provide recommendations on selecting, modifying or customizing adaptive equipment and assistive technology to promote student mobility and ensure safety.
• Monitor student progress and adjust goals and interventions based on analysis of progress.
• Adapt school environments to facilitate student access and participation in the educational program.
• Provide information and instruction to staff and parents which may include: interpretation of assessments and recommendations; explanation of potential impact of development, medical and/or sensory-motor problems on school performance; instruction in the physical management of students, such as safe lifting, positioning, assisted ambulation, gross motor programs, vocational tasks, leisure activities, and/or equipment use.
• Work directly with classroom teachers and support staff to establish and maintain functional goals.
• Compile and maintain necessary records, progress notes and IEPs on students served in accordance with NSSEO and district policies, and in accordance with the Illinois Physical Therapy Practice Act.
• Maintain confidentiality in accordance with FERPA and HIPAA regulations. Obtain necessary release of information documents prior to exchanges with outside professionals.
• Serve as a liaison among school, medical personnel and medical equipment vendors.
• Supervise and direct physical therapist assistants (PTAs), physical therapy students, or volunteers for the purpose of providing guidance and ensuring that program objectives are achieved.
• Communicate clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing; explain evaluation information and goals in clear understandable way to audience. May lead training sessions for staff and share information from workshops attended.
• Maintain a safe and clean working environment for all staff and students.

Other Functions:

• Act as a positive role model for students.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding work with special needs students.
• Supplement the work of the assigned licensed staff member including, but not limited to, all required paperwork, organization of classroom, and supervision of students.
• Support NSSEO policy, NSSEO and governing board goals and objectives, and The School Code of Illinois.

Working Environment:

• To perform the most physically demanding job functions, strength and/or endurance for lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling are frequently required.
• To perform the most physically demanding job functions, the physical capability of climbing is occasionally required.
• To perform the most physically demanding job functions, the physical capability of balancing is frequently required.
• To perform the most physically demanding job functions, the physical body movement of stooping, kneeling, crouching and/or crawling is frequently required.
• To perform the most physically demanding job functions, the upper extremity physical capabilities reaching, handling, and/or fine motor dexterity are frequently required.
• Exposure to temperature extremes is seldom or not present.
• Exposure to hazardous conditions (e.g. mechanical, cuts, burns, infectious disease, high decibel noise, etc.) is occasionally present.
• Frequency of exposure to injury to self and/or others is occasionally or frequently present.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Hold current license from the State of Illinois, Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to practice physical therapy.
• Must be physically able to provide therapy to students ages 2 through 21.
• Ability to travel within NSSEO and districts and move about NSSEO and district buildings as necessary.
• Pediatric and special education experience preferred.

Specific skills required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: ability to determine appropriate tests and measures for individual evaluations; ability to properly administer tests and measures; ability to communicate and interact with students of various ages appropriate to their age and developmental level; ability to communicate and interact with culturally diverse students, parents and staff; ability to determine age-appropriate activities to facilitate motor development.

Knowledge required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: knowledge of typical and atypical motor development; knowledge of philosophy, principles and practice of Physical Therapy as they relate to school-based practice; knowledge of specialized equipment and uses; knowledge of current federal and state law related to education of students with disabilities.

Ability is required to work under limited supervision including: scheduling daily activities, problem-solving, and implementation of physical therapy programs; demonstrate flexibility in a wide variety of circumstances including collaboration with team members, conflicts in scheduling, and student behavioral challenges; communicate effectively both orally and in writing with professional staff and parents.

Responsibilities include: completing evaluations within specified timeframes; working collaboratively with team members, parents, and administration; managing time and schedule efficiently; using specialized equipment effectively; maintaining confidentiality; making data-driven decisions for meaningful educational activities.