Physical Therapist - Per Diem

Variable hours

Substitute

$45.00 per hour

Division

Academic Services

Classification

Exempt

Job grade

CBA

Summary of duties

Provide therapeutic services, as per the guidelines set forth by the American Physical Therapy Association, to a diverse population of students with developmental disabilities. Assess, plan, organize and participate in therapy programs that improve mobility, relieve pain, increase strength and endurance, and decrease or prevent deformity in students suffering from disease or injury.

Reporting relationship: Reports to the Physical Therapy Department Head

• Essential duties & responsibilities
• Plan, develop and implement plans of care and activities for individual students in accordance with New York State Education Law requirements, Beyond Support Network practices and policies, and the principles and practices of physical therapy.
• Ensure that IEP mandates are fulfilled and document progress toward goals on the IEP at specified intervals.
• Within scope of practice, implement plans of care that adhere to the Common Core, are chronologically and developmentally appropriate; reflect differentiated instruction techniques; incorporate technology, and are creative.
• Establish an effective data collection and charting system to monitor students’ progress.
• Make appropriate service recommendations (e.g., increase/decrease therapy) as a result of testing, clinical judgment and student’s needs.
• Review clinical records and case histories.
• Evaluate effects of treatment at various stages and adjust treatment to achieve maximum benefit.
• Engage students in activities that are interesting, meaningful and individualized to reflect each student’s physical and developmental level.
• Administer therapeutic exercises and/or massage to assist in relieving pain, increasing range of motion and strength, or to prevent/minimize deformity.
• Obtain student’s or family’s informed consent to proposed interventions.
• Devise appropriate annual goals and short-term objectives.
• Perform physical therapy evaluations, establish plans of care with goals, provide treatment, maintain treatment notes as specified, prepare progress summaries, delegate specific treatment and perform discharge activities as directed by an approved healthcare practitioner.
• Follow therapy schedule established by Physical Therapy Department head.
• Maintain a caseload of 50 billable sessions per week.
• Ensure that assessments and intervention strategies are evidence based.
• Attend CPSE-CSE meetings that may occur outside an employee’s regularly scheduled workday.
• Develop and write required reports, according to specified formats, which may include collaborating with classroom teacher to determine student’s current level of functioning.
• Organize and maintain required daily treatment notes and records for each student.
• Maintain all required attendance and billing records in accordance with the stated deadlines.
• Assist in determining requirements for physical therapy services including personnel, equipment, supplies and opportunities for continuing education.
• Make recommendations regarding the use and/or adjustment of orthotics, prosthetics, and other appliances used to support and assist the mobility of the student.
• Procure prescriptions from physicians when physical therapy services or durable medical equipment items are indicated.
• Record all pertinent data in students’ medical records.
• Foster student’s independence ensuring that student achieves the greatest level of independence possible and appropriate for that particular student.
• Ensure that verbal and written communications including tone, demeanor, and content with students, staff, and parents are at all times professional, appropriate and respectful.
• Model and demonstrate expected student behavior.
• Act as a consultant to medical personnel and school based staff on matters of physical therapy pertaining to students.
• Aide in the construction, maintenance and repair of medical adaptive equipment.
• Instruct student and family in treatment and procedures to be continued at home.
• Provide educational information about physical therapy, injury prevention, ergonomics and ways to promote health.
• Refer students and their families to community resources and services.
• Participate in staff training, in-services, committee and departmental team meetings, and clinics (i.e., orthopedic, wheelchair, etc.) as assigned, maintaining current standards of practice.
• Provide, attend and/or conduct training in physical therapy-related issues.
• Instruct Physical Therapy Students.
• Provide care and services to promote a safe environment for students and staff.
• Provide clear and succinct direction to students.
• Utilize Strategies for Crisis Intervention and Prevention (SCIP) procedures in the School Programs when necessary.
• Demonstrate the ability to work independently as well as in conjunction with other staff members and members of the agency team.
• Consistently comply with all agency policies and procedures.
• Constantly maintain high professional standards at work with regard to personal behavior and interactions with other staff and families.
• Perform other duties as requested by the Department Head, Principal and/or Director of Education.

• Skills & abilities
• Possess good time management skills.
• Ability and desire to work as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• High level of written and oral communication skills.
• High level of interpersonal skills.
• High level of behavior management skills.
• Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat injuries, disease and deformities. This includes the symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions and preventative health-care measures.
• Knowledge of the computer and ability to utilize word processing programs.
• Familiarity with applicable standardized/non-standardized tests and assessment tools.
• Ability to administer diagnostic tests with a high degree of efficiency and to accurately score tests.
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge of basic computer skills to access IEP Direct and similar programs.
• Ability to interpret test results appropriately taking into account developmental norms, functional communication, student’s progress or lack of progress and any other pertinent information helpful in determining service recommendations or changes.
• Ability to communicate student’s current level of functioning or other pertinent information orally and in written reports.
• Demonstrate knowledge of current literature and trends relating to the profession.

Education & training

Preferred

Masters or Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy from an institution accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association.

Minimum

Baccalaureate degree in Physical Therapy from an institution accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association.

An individual eligible for or holding a current Physical Therapy license and registration in New York State. Must pass state licensure exam and provide current license and registration within six months of hire date.

Completion of thirty-six hours of continuing education during each three year recertification period