Physical Therapist
QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Current Oregon license to practice as a physical therapist.
2. Recent successful experience and training in pediatrics and low incidence disabilities.
3. Demonstrated ability to compose and produce concise professional documents.
4. Skill at working with other related services staff and teachers as resources for planning and delivery of therapy.
5. Familiarity with adaptive equipment and the technology utilized with students who have significant mental and physical disabilities.
6. Ability to obtain a valid first aid card.
7. Written and oral communication skills sufficient to perform essential functions.
8. Physical and mental attributes sufficient to perform essential functions.
9. Must demonstrate excellent attendance and punctuality
REPORTS TO:
Director of Special Services
SUPERVISES:
None
JOB GOAL:
The Physical Therapist (PT) will design and implement physical therapy programs for students with gross motor deficits who are eligible for special education. The PT will consult with the special education teacher and other related service staff to determine the needs of students and assist in developing individualized education plans.
PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Assesses and evaluates student’s physical, gross motor and mobility needs that negatively impact the student’s ability to benefit from special education.
2. Elicits input from special education staff (teacher, OT, communication, nursing) or other outside consultants and works closely with parents in the physical therapy program design.
3. Identifies student’s individual needs and therapy goals through participation in the development of Individual Education Plans (IEP).
4. Develops appropriate intervention plans to make progress toward achieving the student goals and objectives identified in the IEP.
5. Provides individualized direct physical therapy to students whose IEPs contain PT services.
6. Delegates physical therapy activities to other special education staff to implement, provides training, regular observation and feedback regarding the delivery of the PT activities.
7. Consults regularly with special education staff regarding implementation of delegated physical therapy programs.
8. Assists classroom staff to manage student behavior by utilizing intervention techniques designed by the teacher or classroom instructional team, following guidelines for use of the least intrusive intervention and best practices consistent with students’ needs and disabilities.
9. Develops systems to record, monitor and interpret student progress.
10. Maintains accurate and complete records as required by law, school district policy and Oregon administration regulations.
11. Participates in planning and program development with the District motor team including the occupational therapist, certified occupational therapy assistant, adaptive physical education teacher, and nurse.
12. Designs and fabricates adaptive equipment for individual student or classroom use.
13. Orders materials and equipment to implement therapy in the educational setting.
14. Researches and locates additional resources and sources to obtain specialized equipment.
15. Develops and utilizes scheduling and time management techniques to implement therapy in a number of different classrooms and school settings during the day and week.
16. Records service delivery information for the district to bill Medicaid.
ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS:
1. Follows and supports District policies and procedures.
2. Performs other duties as may be assigned.
3. Works cooperative and harmoniously with students, coworkers, and supervisors.
4. Maintains professional and technical knowledge by participating in professional
development activities.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
1. Lifts and positions students who have physical impairments and are unable to assist.
2. Transfers and transports adaptive equipment (dimensional to the vehicle being used) and construction materials from storage to or the Columbia Regional Equipment Bank to various locations.
3. Occasional exposure to dust and fumes associated with construction or adaptation of equipment, triwall, fabric, foam, glue, paint, and stain.
4. Local travel required to deliver services in multiple sites during day and week.
PHYSICAL JOB TASK REQUIREMENTS:
The physical requirements checked are essential to successfully performing the duties associated with this position.
Lifting: Heavy Work (listing 100 pounds maximum with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
MENTAL JOB TASK REQUIREMENTS:
The mental functions checked are essential to successfully performing the duties associated with this position.
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:
191 days per year. Salary to be determined by the Board of Education.
EVALUATION:
Performance of this job will be evaluated by the Director of Special Services in accordance with provisions of the Board's policy on evaluation.