Job Description

The Physical Therapist directly reports to the Director, Itinerant Services, and provides services to exceptional educational needs (EEN) students who have been identified by an evaluation team to have a need for related service. Services are designed to facilitate optimal participation in the educational environment, to prevent disability, to improve, develop, restore, or maintains a child’s sensory motor function in educational environments. This includes introducing the use of techniques and equipment to classroom teachers to enhance student performance and implement educational plans for the student.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Evaluate physical, neuro-muscular, functional, gross motor, sensory, strength, and postural needs of the students with disabilities.
• Perform direct treatment of students, including lift, transfer, and position children/equipment.
• Provide consultation services with a variety of teachers, staff, and parents for student needs.
• Co-treat identified students with other therapists as appropriate.
• Participate as a member of the evaluation/IEP team as assigned.
• Plan and develop individual therapy goals in conjunction with classroom teachers to meet the educational needs of the students.
• Serve as a liaison between medical and educational professions.
• Participate in parent conferences and training.
• Recommend, construct and/or adapt equipment within the special education environment for optimal student performance.
• Write evaluation reports, daily notes, IEP paperwork, treatment plans, progress notes, and end of the year reports related to student care/performance.
• Complete written home programs for teachers and families as needed.
• Complete letters of medical necessity for equipment/student needs.
• Obtain medical information needed as determined by law.
• Train teachers, staff, and families in home programs, plan of care and activities essential to student progress.
• Collaborate with community resources and agencies to assist in meeting the needs of students.
• Supervise physical therapist assistants and physical therapist assistant interns as assigned.
• Complete agency paperwork, including expense vouchers, calendar, inventory, classlists, student schedules; and district paperwork, including medicaid reimbursement, as assigned.
• Provide inservice/training on the role of a Physical Therapist in the educational setting, techniques used school wide or individually for EEN students.
• Attend scheduled OT/PT staff, district, and agency meetings.
• Maintain licensure for Wisconsin medical license and WI DPI licensure as well as the needed continuing education requirements for that licensure.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

OTHER FUNCTIONS:

• Using appropriate assessment tools per physical therapy and student deficit/needs.

Requirements

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience, Education and Licensure:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy from an APTA accredited program is required.
• A Master’s or Doctoral degree in physical therapy is desired.
• Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services license as a Physical Therapist is required.
• Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) License (#817) in Physical Therapy is required.

Required Skills and Abilities:

• Model the core values of the agency.
• Ability to lead and collaborate with diverse work teams and the ability to plan, delegate and supervise others.
• Process-oriented, with effective organization skills.
• Ability to interpret and administer policies and procedures consistently and objectively.
• Communicate effectively and timely, verbally and in writing, to a diverse audience.
• Plan, organize and prioritize work.
• Remain flexible in order to adapt to changes in the work environment.
• Excellent time-management with ability to manage schedules and meet deadlines.
• Problem-prevention and problem-solving skills.
• Work accurately with close attention to detail.
• Exhibit a high degree of confidentiality of sensitive information and process and handle confidential information with discretion.
• Work effectively, professionally and tactfully with internal agency staff and external clients.
• Ability to set and meet high standards of customer service (internal and external).
• Excellent interpersonal skills to facilitate interaction with the workforce.
• Work independently as well as part of a team, to provide progressive student outcomes.
• Exhibit a professional, businesslike appearance and demeanor.
• Advanced computer skills, including email, word processing and virtual meeting facilitation.
• Professionally represent the agency and public, private and parochial school districts in interactions with staff, customers and community.
• Facilitate an overall work environment of mutual respect and collaboration.

WORK ENVIRONMENT / PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Work Environment:

• Ability to work from multiple school locations, agency or work-related sites.
• Position may require extended hours including evenings and weekends, travel to multiple work sites and occasional out-of-town travel.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to travel between districts for instruction, meetings, trainings, and conferences.
• Valid driver’s license and proof of current vehicle insurance.

Physical Demands:

• The employee is required to drive between schools and districts to provide direct service and consultation.
• The position may be required to perform trained crisis prevention techniques, which may require restraining a student ranging in weight and/or height.
• The position may be required to carry equipment/supplies in and out of district as needed, up to between 20-50 pounds..
• Heavy lifting at times may be required for equipment and students.