****Starke County Special Education Shared Services

JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION: Physical Therapist

LENGTH OF WORK: 7.5 hours a day Monday through Friday

185 Days

SUMMARY: The school physical therapist, as a member of the educational team, supports the education of students suspected of and/or diagnosed with disability in their least restrictive environment. The school physical therapist develops, implements and coordinates a physical therapy program within the local educational agency (LEA); providing screening, evaluation and intervention services. Skilled provision of physical therapy prevents injury (acute or chronic) of both student and educational staff.

Working with students with disabilities and serious health impairments, the physical therapist is expected to analyze risk, problem solve effectively and demonstrate a high level of professional judgment when recommending and providing services, making environmental modifications and training staff to manage physical needs at an appropriate level of supervision. Consultation with educational and community personnel is also an essential component of the physical therapist’s roles/responsibilities.

SALARY: Commensurate with experience

SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING:

• Letter of Interest
• Resume
• License
• Professional References with Telephone Numbers
• Professional Letters of Recommendation

EFFECTIVE DATE: 2024-2025 School Year

CONTACT: Heather Reese

Knox Elementary School

210 W. Culver Road

Knox, IN 46534

hreese@knox.k12.in.us

(574) 772-1667

Fax: (574) 772-1646

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Adhere to professional, ethical, and legal standards of practice.

• Provide direct supervision of physical therapy assistants in accordance with Indiana.

• Evaluate students using appropriate tests, skilled professional observation, and supplementary information from other agencies and records.

• Interpret assessment findings and appropriately convey information to parents and school teams.

• Participate with the school team to develop Individualized Education Programs and consult on Section 504 Plans.

• Develop and implement intervention strategies.

• Develop physical management plan for daily classroom routines and train staff in its safe implementation.

• Plan for transition from school to community, preparing student to function independent from therapy service when targeted outcomes are achieved.

• Evaluate and report on student progress.

• Communicate and consult with school staff, parents, administrators, physicians, community and other professionals.

• Serve as a resource to parents, school team, staff and administration on disabling conditions and their effects on education.

• Collaborate with community based therapists and other healthcare providers for effective coordination of service.

• Assess need and recommend assistive technology necessary for function at school.

• Contribute to planning safe transportation of students with disability.

• Provide consultation regarding emergency evacuation of students with disability.

• Participate with improving school accessibility and planning environmental modification.

• Maintain student service, administrative, and other departmental records in accordance with the Physical Therapy Practice Act as well as school district, State, and Federal policies.

• Document needs and advocate for personnel and equipment.

• Procure, maintain, and inventory equipment, materials, and supplies.

• Seek regular opportunities for professional growth.

• Provide clinical educational opportunities for students of physical therapy.

• Other duties as assigned by the Director of Special Education.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduation from an accredited program of physical therapy.
• Initial certification by the National Board of Physical Therapy.
• Current license by the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency.
• Two years of experience (Preferably in pediatric practice).

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of special education laws and regulations preferred.
• Knowledge of physical therapy principles, theory, methods, and evidence based practice.
• Knowledge of effective practice, clinical decision making, outcome based intervention and their proper application in the educational environment.
• Knowledge of areas of practice specific to pediatrics, including child development and specific diagnosis.
• Ability to select and administer appropriate assessment tools and interpret results of assessment.
• Skill in selecting and providing a wide range of intervention strategies and monitoring their effectiveness
• Ability to plan, coordinate and provide training and continuing education both formally and informally to parents, school administration, school staff, community agencies, staff and other medical professionals.
• Skill in effective oral and written communication.
• Knowledge of current legal mandates, including: Federal and State Law, compliance issues, confidentiality requirements, funding procedures and requirements.
• Physical ability to execute job responsibilities that may include: transferring and/or lifting students or equipment, managing equipment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations by be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls, talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand or walk.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions.