Physical Therapist (PT)

Physical Therapist

Shore Educational Collaborative was established in 1975 as one of 24 educational collaboratives in Massachusetts, providing public special education to students with disabilities. Over 180 students aged 3-22 attend our school in Chelsea, receiving a comprehensive education and related services.

At Shore, we believe that every person can grow, learn, and achieve goals that are meaningful to them. Our work is guided by our core values – educate, enrich, inspire – and we operate with respect, integrity, accountability, and compassion. We center our students, striving to be exceptional in our programs while honoring our community of diverse backgrounds, experiences, beliefs, and perspectives. Our class sizes are intentionally small - usually no more than ten students - with a dedicated paraprofessional in each room. We believe in collaboration and a strong team, with an 88% retention rate of professional staff. We're excited for you to join us.

The Physical Therapist provides educationally relevant physical therapy services to students with disabilities, ages 3–22, in accordance with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) regulations and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The PT supports students' access to the educational environment by addressing gross motor, mobility, postural control, positioning, and physical access needs within academic, social, vocational, and functional school contexts.

Key Responsibilities:

Screening and Pre-Referral

Conduct screenings and classroom observations to identify students who may require physical therapy services and recommend appropriate next steps.

Evaluation and Assessment

• Obtain parental consent prior to initiating evaluation process.
• Select appropriate and current evaluation tools and methods based on the reason for referral/student need. Conduct comprehensive Physical Therapy evaluations to determine eligibility for special education services under Massachusetts and federal regulations.
• Assess gross motor development, mobility, balance, strength, endurance, postural control, and functional movement as they relate to educational participation.
• Evaluate physical access needs within the school environment, including mobility, seating, positioning, and safety.
• Prepare written evaluation reports using DESE-compliant language and timelines.
• Participate in Team meetings to review evaluation results and contribute to eligibility determinations

Intervention Planning and Implementation

• Develop, implement, and monitor IEP goals and objectives aligned with the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks and student educational needs Provide direct and indirect services, including individual, small-group, classroom-based, and consultative models.

• Work effectively/establish rapport with students with various disabilities, ages and cultural backgrounds developing a meaningful therapeutic relationship.
• Routinely measure progress and modify intervention approach, treatment activities and accommodations as needed to reach desired goals and objectives and to anticipate continued therapy needs, modify and/or discharge from therapy services when indicated.
• Support student participation in classroom routines, transitions, physical education, and school activities.
• Collaborate with families to support consistency and carryover of mobility and functional skills across home and school environments

Professional Collaboration

• Serve as an active member of the IEP Team, collaborating with educators, related service providers, paraprofessionals, administrators and district personnel.
• Collaborate with staff to implement positioning, mobility, and movement support throughout the school day. Consult with school staff regarding physical access, safety, mobility, and movement-based accommodations and access to instruction through attendance at team meetings and other informal consultation.
• Communicate with families regarding student progress, educational impact of mobility needs, and strategies for home-school collaboration.
• Communicate with outside providers when indicated to ensure continuity of services to best serve the needs of the student.

Documentation and Compliance

• Maintain accurate and timely documentation, including daily documentation, progress reports, and required Medicaid documentation (if applicable).
• Participate in annual reviews, three-year reevaluations, and transition planning, including postsecondary transition services for students age 14 and older.
• Document individual student progress via quarterly progress reports, discharge summaries and annual reviews.

Equipment and Environmental Supports

• Recommend, trial, and monitor adaptive equipment, mobility devices, and positioning supports as related to educational access.
• Provide appropriate documentation to insurance companies to justify adaptive equipment, mobility devices.
• Collaborate with school personnel and vendors regarding equipment use, safety, and maintenance.
• Provide training to staff on safe transfers, positioning, and use of adaptive equipment as appropriate.

Teaching/Learning Responsibilities

• Participate actively in the Supervisory relationship with Lead Therapist and/or Related Services Coordinator in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
• Opportunity to supervise and mentor clinical students in accordance with Shore/College contract.
• Participate in staff meetings, professional development, and ongoing compliance activities.
• Contribute to school-wide initiatives and student support efforts.
• Perform assigned duties consistent with the school day and collective bargaining agreements.

Additional duties as assigned by the Related Services Coordinator

Benefits and Compensation:

• Salary will be based on experience and education. View our salary schedule here.
• This is a temporary position and is not eligible for benefits.

All school staff who may be expected to manage behavior must obtain and maintain certification in Shore's approved behavioral safety training program (Safety Care or equivalent). These skills are essential to ensuring the safety of all program participants and staff, and to meet state and federal requirements related to the safe implementation of behavior intervention plans.