Part-time Physical Therapist (.8) for the 26/27 School Year

Performance Responsibilities

• Develops, implements and coordinates the physical therapy program within the school district, including philosophy, vision, procedures and goals
• Conducts appropriate evaluations of students referred for related services under IDEA or Section 504 and prepare written reports of the evaluation findings
• Interprets assessment findings and conveys information to parents and school personnel
• Participates in the development of Individualized Education Programs
• Develops and implements intervention strategies for individual sessions and groups as appropriate
• Develops physical management and environmental modification plans for school access and daily classroom activities and trains staff in its safe implementation while fostering greater independence
• Plans for transition from school to community, preparing students to function independent from therapy service when targeted outcomes are achieved
• Evaluates and reports on students' progress
• Consults with school staff, parents, administrators, physicians, out-patient physical therapists and community resources in order to gather and communicate information to meet the physical therapy needs of students
• Serves as a resource to parents, school staff and administration in the disabling conditions and their effects on education
• Collaborates with community therapists and other healthcare providers for effective coordination of physical therapy services
• Affairs with assessing the need for assistive technology and equipment with the Child Student Team, and makes recommendations for its use at school to help students function as independently as possible
• Affairs with providing consultation regarding the emergency evacuation of students with disabilities
• Affairs with participating in improving school accessibility and planning environmental modification
• Documents physical therapy services and maintains records in accordance with school district policies, as well as state and federal laws and regulations
• Continues to acquire professional knowledge and learn of current developments in the educational field by attending seminars, workshops or professional meetings, and by maintaining professional relationships
• Participate in policy formulation as it relates to physical therapy services

Additional Duties

• Performs other related tasks as assigned by the Child Study Team Supervisor and other central office administrators as designated by the Superintendent.

Qualifications

• Certification/License: Registered Physical Therapist designated as Physical Therapist as defined and determined by state law and currently licensed in the stateNJ School Physical Therapist certification
• Motor Vehicle Operator's license or ability to provide own transportation
• Must pass criminal background check and fingerprints, pre-employment drug screening and TB test

Education/Experience

• Appropriate level of education to acquire state licensure and certification as a physical therapist
• Successful prior experience working as a Physical Therapist, preferably in an educational or other pediatric practice setting
• Experience as a teacher preferred

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Knowledge of physical therapy principles, theory, methods and evidence based practice
• Knowledge of effective practice, clinical decision-making, outcomes based intervention and their proper application in the educational environment
• Knowledge of areas of practice specific to pediatrics, including child development and specific diagnoses
• Knowledge of differentiated instruction, Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Response to Intervention (RTI)
• Knowledge of data information systems, data analysis and the formulation of action plans
• Knowledge of Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), Section 504, IDEA and NJ PT Practice Act and other federal and state laws and regulations regarding education and students as it relates to providing physical therapy in the educational setting
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Skills in selecting and providing a wide range of intervention strategies and monitoring their effectiveness in both individual and group settings
• Effective computer skills as needed
• Ability to organize and coordinate work
• Ability to engage in self-evaluation with regard to performance and professional growth
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with students, parents, staff and administrators