Job Summary:

Physical Therapists facilitate optimum independence in students with disabilities whose adaptive skills and effective functioning in the environment has impaired their educational progress and who may need rehabilitation in order to experience educational success. Areas of emphasis are gross motor skills, functional mobility, posture and position and adaptive equipment and furniture. Physical Therapists are responsible for the assessment, planning, goal development and appropriate intervention services.

Essential Job Functions:

• Perform functions in the following areas:

o General development.

o Self-help or self-care.

o Needs for individual and environmental adaptations.

o Functional mobility.

o Motor skills and musculoskeletal system.

o Sensory motor integrative skills.

o Pre-vocational and vocational skills.

• Provide Physical Therapy Services as identified through the IEP/504 plan
• Administer physical assessments to determine a student’s level of functioning relative to their age and educational placement in such areas as fine/gross motor skill development, functional mobility, sensory integration, self care and activities of daily living.

• Write assessment reports identifying the student’s needs and proposed treatment strategies: writes individual student goals and objectives as part of the IEP; maintains progress records; participates in the IEP meeting.
• Develop Physical Therapy treatment plans and goals to improve student’s functional abilities and enhance their ability to learn.
• Provide students with individual or group therapy sessions to correct specific areas of motor dysfunction
• Consult and communicate with parents, school staff and outside providers regarding student’s school based skills.
• Participate in meetings with school staff to discuss student needs
• Collaborate with school teams for scheduling services.
• Collect and maintain records of student data related to performance and progress on goals
• Complete online documentation of services that align with Medicaid requirements
• Assist with purchase order requests for and management of Physical Therapy materials, assessment kits and equipment.
• Conduct in-service professional development to teachers and school staff members on topics related to Physical Therapy in the schools
• Assist teachers and staff in integrating Physical Therapy skills in the classroom.
• Supervise licensed Physical Therapy Assistants
• Keep abreast of recent developments in Physical Therapy and show evidence of continuing personal growth.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Office of Student Support Services.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of medical aspects of the special needs student and their implications for instruction.
• Knowledge of resources and techniques needed to integrate the special needs student into the least restrictive environment.
• Thorough knowledge of preschool, elementary, secondary or special education principles, practices and procedures;
• Thorough knowledge of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and the
• Virginia Regulations for Special Education.
• General knowledge of elementary, secondary or special education principles, practices and procedures;
• General knowledge of the principles and methodology of effective teaching;
• Thorough knowledge of school division rules, regulations and procedures;
• Ability to establish and maintain standards of behavior;
• Ability to deliver articulate oral presentations and written reports;
• Demonstrate leadership qualities and personal characteristics necessary to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, students, administration, and parents.

Education and Experience:

• Minimum of Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Therapy from an accredited college or university. Higher degree preferred.
• Licensure to practice Physical Therapy in the Commonwealth of Virginia

Salary:

See salary information below. External candidates are compensated for up to 20 years of prior experience. There is a stipend of $2312 applied on top of the annual salary.

For additional questions regarding the position or the application process, please contact Donna Bryant at dbryant@spotsylvania.k12.va.us .