Physical Therapist

Physical Therapist

To provide physical therapy services to identify eligible special education students for the prevention of increased disability wherever possible, through the development of compensatory motor skill and the identification, adaptation and adjustment of equipment when needed.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Demonstrate knowledge of debilitating conditions and their effects on sensory, motor, psychosocial and cognitive development of students with disabilities.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of local, state and federal regulations and procedures pertaining to the provision of physical therapy services in the school setting.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of major theories, treatment procedures and research relevant to providing physical therapy services for children with disabilities.
4. Select, administer and interpret appropriate assessment instruments and procedures taking into consideration the student's age, developmental level, disability and educational needs.
5. Assess the functional performances of students with disabilities within the school environment.
6. Engage in consensus decision making as a member of the Individual Educational Plan (IEP) team.
7. Plan and implement intervention strategies using direct therapy, monitoring and consultation.
8. Communicate effectively (orally and in writing) with students, educational personnel, administrators, parents and community members.
9. Explain the role of physical therapy within the educational setting to students, education personnel, administrators, parents and community members.
10. Document assessment and intervention results in the proper manner for a school setting and to relate this information to the educational goals of the student.
11. Develop, implement, evaluate and modify according to a physical therapy program within a school setting.
12. Provide services to special education students determined eligible through the evaluation placement/review process.
13. Direct therapeutic services aimed at the prevention of increased disability where possible.
14. Develop compensatory motor skills.
15. Identification, adaptation and adjustment of equipment (if needed).
16. Provide instructional recommendations to the teaching staff to be carried out in the classroom.
17. Assess students' progress toward master of goals/objectives established in the IEP.
18. Provide supervision to any Physical Therapist (P.T.) and Physical Therapist Assistant (P.T.A.) providing services in the schools.
19. Conduct assessment of students referred through the evaluation process.
20. Participate in the program plan for individual students IEP's.
21. Provide intervention for student's identified as needing service by the IEP team.
22. Submit Medicaid notes 10 business days from the date of completion of service.
23. Maintain confidentiality of all students according to the guidelines of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
24. Be flexible and able to prioritize tasks and maintain accurate and detailed records.
25. Report to work on time and work no less than 7.5 hours per day.
26. Work independently with very little supervision.
27. May be required to perform other related functions as assigned by your supervisor.

Assessment and Evaluation

Evaluate new students enrolling in the program within a reasonable time not to exceed 60 days. If therapy is not indicated as a direct service, the therapist shall provide written input to the appropriate staff members.

1. Coordinate EI Evaluation for C-B transitions
2. Must be knowledgeable and proficient in the use of standardized tests, and customized measures and/or observation to evaluate the student in areas of cognitive-perceptual-motor skills, motor coordination, psychosocial, development, self-care, muscle strength and range of motion, postural reflexes, needs for adaptive devices and prostheses, and vocational skills.
3. The therapist, with parental permission, may make home visits for the purpose of evaluating the student within his/her home environment.
4. Evaluate treatment effectiveness by observation, testing, communication with family members and other sources.

Planning and Treatment – Direct Services

1. Maintain or improve motor functioning such as normal developmental motor patterns, range of motion, muscle strength, gross and fine motor coordination, and activity tolerance.
2. Improve level of functioning in the areas of visual, auditory, tactile, kinesthetic perception, and cognitive-perceptual-motor integration skills.
3. Improve psychosocial development by aiding ego development, developing social interaction skills, and helping the student discover constructive alternatives.
4. Help the student achieve a maximum level of independence in toileting, feeding, personal hygiene, dressing, grooming, and mobility.
5. Help the student acquire homemaking and vocational skills and appropriate work habits through pre-vocational activities.
6. Instruct the student in the use of functional and adaptive equipment and devices.

Indirect Services

1. Participate in the development of an Individual Educational Program.
2. Coordinate EI Evaluation for C-B transitions
3. Use a team approach in planning and treatment with school personnel, families, physicians and appropriate local, state and federal agencies.
4. Re-evaluate treatment program and revise goals if deemed necessary.
5. Stress follow-through of physical therapy goals in the classroom setting and support classroom goals in the therapy treatment program.
6. Maintain a close working relationship with parents for follow-through of physical therapy treatment goals in the home.
7. Provide training to the appropriate persons regarding effective methods to aid the mainstreamed disabled student.
8. Maintain background, assessment, and treatment records in accordance with administrative policy and the Right to Privacy Law.
9. Design and construct adaptive equipment and devices for the eligible student and/or the classroom.
10. Attend department meetings and staffing's.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Supervise Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant's.

Qualifications

1. Must be currently licensed by the New Mexico Physical Therapist Regulation and Licensing Board and the State Department of Education.
2. Master's degree from an accredited university program in Physical Therapy is required for licensing in New Mexico.
3. Must obtain the required contact hours (30 hours) for licensure requirement every two years.
4. P.T. Licensure must be renewed as required by the NM Regulation and Licensing Department Physical Therapy Board.
5. Valid Drivers' license and Car Insurance (if traveling from site to site).

Physical Requirements

Sitting, standing, lifting and carrying (up to 40 pounds), climbing stairs, reaching, squatting, kneeling, having full mobility of fingers/hands, and moving light furniture may be required, unless ADA accommodations have been mutually agreed on and does not create an undue hardship upon the district.

Safety and Health

Knowledge of universal hygiene precautions (blood borne pathogens, body fluids, etc.)

Equipment/Material Handled

Must know how to properly operate, or be willing to learn to operate, multi-media equipment including current technology as needed.

Work Environment

Must be able to work within various degrees of noise and temperature. Interruptions of work are routine. Flexibility and patience are required. Must be self-motivated and able to complete job assignments without direct supervision. After hours work may be required. Make site or home visits when needed. May work under stressful conditions on occasion.

Terms of Employment

Academic School Year

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Employee's work:

Standing - 15% - Inside - 98%

Walking - 15% - Outside - 2%

Sitting - 70%

Total - 100% - 100%

Requirements While Performing Job:

Physical Activity - Daily: Yes/No - Description

Twist: Waist - Yes

Wrist - Yes

Neck/Shoulder - Yes

Stoop, bend - Yes

Squat, kneel or crawl - Yes

Repetitive motions of hands or wrists - Yes

Run - No

Climb ladders, stairs, or equipment - No

Ride equipment -