Under the direction and supervision of the Assistant Director of Outpatient Pediatric Physical Therapy and Senior Staff Physical Therapist, the Pediatric Physical Therapist administers physical therapy in accordance with state law regarding the practice of physical therapy in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

The Pediatric Physical Therapist must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served by his/her department—pediatric through geriatric. The Pediatric Physical Therapist must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span; possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status; interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to their age-specific needs; and to provide the care needed as described in Physical Therapy Department's policies and procedures.

Type of supervision exercised: Team Leader: functional supervision over employees during a project. Jobs reporting to this position: none.

EDUCATION:

Bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy from a school of Physical Therapy approved in the year of graduation by the American Physical Therapy Association required.

Master's degree in Physical Therapy from a school of Physical Therapy approved in the year of graduation by the American Physical Therapy Association preferred.

WORK EXPERIENCE:

One (1) year of general rehabilitation or pediatric experience preferred.

SPECIAL EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:

License as a Physical Therapist in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania required.

Must be cleared by PA State Police criminal history check and PA Department of Public Welfare Child Abuse Central Register (Childline).

Excellent communication skills required for effective communication with management, staff, patients, and visitors; and outside agencies to coordinate provision of related services.

CPR certification is required and must be maintained.    

Must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide individualized care appropriate to the age specific need and culture of the patient served.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Medium Work: duties require exerting 25 to 50 lbs. of force occasionally (approx 10-33% of shift), and/or 10-25 lbs. of force frequently (approx 33-66% of the time), and/or greater than negligible amount up to 10 lbs. of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, and move objects.

Position involves bending, reaching, stooping and lifting (occasionally in strained position) throughout shift.

Individual must be able to safely position and transfer patients and instruct in ambulation and balance activities.

Ability to transport self throughout facility is required.

ACCIDENT OR HEALTH HAZARDS:

Occasional exposure to blood and body substances.

Position involves exposure to chemicals for casting, splinting, and cleaning solutions.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Works in well-lit office, gym, and patient care areas.

Required Skills

+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES OF JOB: | | | | E = Essential Element                       NE = Nonessential Element | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 60%    Develops and implements Physical Therapy Programs, upon referral | | from a physician, to improve the child's gross motor functioning and | | mobility. (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 15%    Responsible for physical therapy evaluation and treatment of | | children seen through contractual agreements.  Responsible to travel to | | organizations/settings within the community where contracted. (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 10%    Evaluates assigned patients including assessment of tone, range | | of motion, developmental age, equipment needs. Actively involved in goal | | setting with patients and the John Heinz Institute of Rehabilitation | | Medicine Pediatric Team.   (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 5%      Participates and cooperates with community groups as requested. | | Participates in family conferences, IFSP'S and IEP'S as requested. | | Educates family members/caregivers to encourage carryover of program | | goals.  (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 3%      Attends and contributes to pediatric team staffing meetings, | | pediatric inservices, pediatric program planning and development. | | Attends departmental and team meetings as scheduled.  (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 2%      Attends continuing education seminars as requested.  (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 2%      Delegates appropriate duties and provides supervision and follow | | up to supportive personnel. Makes necessary arrangements for coverage of | | assigned patients for scheduled time off.  Helps provide coverage of | | patients during absences of other staff. Assists in training/orientation | | of new pediatric staff.  (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 2%      Participates in Quality Assessment Activities.  (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 1%      Participates in physical therapy student program as a primary or | | secondary supervisor and by providing student in-services as requested.  | | (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+

Required Experience

+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES OF JOB: | | | | E = Essential Element                       NE = Nonessential Element | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 60%    Develops and implements Physical Therapy Programs, upon referral | | from a physician, to improve the child's gross motor functioning and | | mobility. (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 15%    Responsible for physical therapy evaluation and treatment of | | children seen through contractual agreements.  Responsible to travel to | | organizations/settings within the community where contracted. (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 10%    Evaluates assigned patients including assessment of tone, range | | of motion, developmental age, equipment needs. Actively involved in goal | | setting with patients and the John Heinz Institute of Rehabilitation | | Medicine Pediatric Team.   (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 5%      Participates and cooperates with community groups as requested. | | Participates in family conferences, IFSP'S and IEP'S as requested. | | Educates family members/caregivers to encourage carryover of program | | goals.  (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 3%      Attends and contributes to pediatric team staffing meetings, | | pediatric inservices, pediatric program planning and development. | | Attends departmental and team meetings as scheduled.  (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 2%      Attends continuing education seminars as requested.  (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 2%      Delegates appropriate duties and provides supervision and follow | | up to supportive personnel. Makes necessary arrangements for coverage of | | assigned patients for scheduled time off.  Helps provide coverage of | | patients during absences of other staff. Assists in training/orientation | | of new pediatric staff.  (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 2%      Participates in Quality Assessment Activities.  (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 1%      Participates in physical therapy student program as a primary or | | secondary supervisor and by providing student in-services as requested.  | | (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+