Physical Therapist (2022-23 School Year)

Job Title: Physical Therapist

Position Function: 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. 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. The physical therapist, though working as a team member serving students, is autonomous in applying principles of physical therapy and responsible for working within the Kansas Physical Therapy Practice Act, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), Health Information Privacy Protection Act (HIPPA) and other legal mandates.

Essential Performance Responsibilities:

• Adheres to professional, ethical and legal standards of practice
• Develops, implements and coordinates the physical therapy program with the LEA, including philosophy, vision, departmental procedures and goals
• Evaluates students using appropriate tests, skilled professional observations and supplementary information from other agencies and records
• Interprets assessment finds and appropriately convey information to parents and school teams
• Participates with the school team to develop Individualized Education Programs and Section 504 Plans
• Develops and implements intervention strategies
• Develops physical management plans for daily classroom routines and trains staff in its safe implementation
• Plans for transition from school to community, prepares students to function independently from therapy services when targeted outcomes are achieved
• Evaluates and reports on student progress
• Communicates and consults with school staff, parents, administrators, physicians, community and other professionals
• Serves as resource to parents, school team, staff and administration on disabling conditions and their effects on education
• Collaborates with community based therapists and other healthcare providers for effective coordination of service
• Assesses needs and recommends assistive technology necessary for function at school
• Contributes to planning safe transportation of students with disability
• Participates with improving school accessibility and planning environmental modification
• Maintains student service, administrative and other departmental records in accordance with the Physical Therapy Practice Act as well as school district, State and Federal policies (IDEA)
• Participates in budget planning and policy development
• Documents need and advocate for personnel and equipment
• Procures, maintains and inventories equipment, materials and supplies
• Seeks regular opportunities for professional growth

• Provides clinical educational opportunities for students of physical therapy

Additional Duties: Assists with additional duties as assigned by supervisor.

Equipment: Must be able to use basic office equipment such as computers, copiers, scanners, and fax machine. Must always comply with USD 259’s guidelines for equipment use.

Travel: Limited travel between schools and central offices may be required.

Physical and Mental Demands, Work Hazards: Must be able to walk long distances, respond rapidly in emergency situations, stand for long periods of time, bend, twist, balance, stoop, climb steps, reach overhead, lift, push, pull up to 20 pounds or more with assistance.

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
• Ability to plan, implement, administer and coordinate a physical therapy program, from eligibility determination to exit, with the LEA
• 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, wheelchair maintenance
• Displays a significant degree of professionalism and confidentiality
• Ability to conform to proper standards of professional dress and appearance
• Knowledge of company's mission, purpose, goals and the role of every employee in achieving each of them

Interrelations:

• Contact with personnel within the district and with customers and vendors
• Will be working under the direct supervision of the department supervisor in order to complete day to day tasks
• Will be working with a diverse population requiring the ability to handle all situations with tact and diplomacy
• Must understand and respond appropriately to customer needs and maintain a positive attitude with all customers and colleagues
• Expected to interact with all internal and external customers in a friendly, professional manner and provide quick, responsive customer service

Employee Punctuality and Appearance:

• In order for schools to operate effectively, employees are expected to perform all assigned duties and work all scheduled hours during each designated workday, unless the employee has received approved leave
• Any deviation from assigned hours must have prior approval from the employee’s supervisor or building administrator
• All employees are required to report to work dressed in a manner that reflects a positive image of USD 259 and is appropriate for their position

Qualification Profile:

• Graduation from an accredited program of physical therapy
• Certification to practice in Kansas as evidenced by current licensure as a physical therapist by the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts
• Pediatric experience preferred, but not required

FLSA Status: Exempt