Physical Therapist (0.2 FTE)

Summary

Description

Physical Therapist (0.2 FTE)

Position Location: Serves the following SCRED Member Districts: Hinckley-Finlayson and East Central

Position Purpose            
The school Physical Therapist (PT) provides instructional support by collaborating with general education and special education staff regarding adaptations and modifications to educational equipment, instruction, or the instructional environment that may help students with physical disabilities reach their special education goals related to functional mobility and environmental access.

Essential Duties

• Identification, Screening and Evaluation
  • Complete in-home evaluations and assessments of infants and toddlers, ages birth to three, as deemed appropriate by screening results, medical records or evaluation team decision 
  • Complete informal screening of students whose parents or teachers express concerns regarding a student’s gross motor abilities
  • Complete school-based evaluations for students ages three through 21 suspected of having disabilities as well as those with disabilities who are currently receiving special education and related services
  • Facilitate procurement and review of appropriate medical notes, as applicable
  • Interpret results of motor assessments to determine the effect of physical impairments on a students’ ability to learn and access the educational setting
  • Complete relevant portions of evaluation summary reports, including the documentation evaluation results and present levels, the identification of educational needs, and, when appropriate, additions and modifications necessary to promote adequate progress and access to the general curriculum.

• Service Delivery
  • Develop therapeutic strategies and accommodations specific to the student’s needs
  • Facilitate accommodations and modifications to educational materials, assistive technology, and the instructional environment
  • Provide direct and indirect occupational therapy services to infants and toddlers, ages birth to three, in a home setting throughout the calendar year
  • Provide direct and indirect PT services to students ages three through 21 throughout the school year
  • Assist in gathering accurate and timely data related to student progress, regularly review student progress, and assist in making instructional changes, when necessary, to allow students to make adequate progress and have meaningful and appropriate access to the general curriculum 
  • Maintain proper documentation of service, in accordance with state and federal requirement

• Curriculum and Instruction
  • Provide input on curriculum and instruction development, selection, and implementation as requested
  • Assist in the development and procurement of accessible instructional materials, as needed

• Consultation and Collaboration
  • Assist in Individualized Education Program (IEP) planning for students with physical disabilities and adaptive/functional needs, including attending IEP meetings, providing input on IEP goals related to PT service, and determining appropriate accommodations, modifications and supports
  • Collaborate on the development of Personal Care Assistant (PCA) Plans of Care for students covered under the MInnesota Health Care Program (MHCP) who require school-based PCA support for Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
  • Assist educational team with the development of evacuation plans for students who require them and provide training on proper use and storage of evacuation equipment 
  • Participate in planning and procedural committee meetings at SCRED
  • Advise on the selection of specialized equipment and instructional materials/supplies when the need for Assistive Technology (AT) is identified.
  • Monitor the use of necessary equipment to ensure proper functioning as well as consistency and fidelity of use

• Professional Learning
  • Provide ongoing training to educational teams, including the initial training and ongoing monitoring of the use and care of specialized equipment, curriculum materials, motor and positioning strategies, and environmental modifications
  • Provide required training and supervision of PCAs providing school-based ADL services to students covered under MHCP
  • Facilitate professional learning in areas of expertise to individual student teams, parents, and SCRED and member district staff or other service providers, as requested 
  • Develop resources pertinent to PT services when the need for such resources is identified
  • Actively participate in the regional PT community of practice (COP) as well as other relevant state or regional professional learning opportunities

• Other Duties
  • Perform other duties as assigned

Education & Training

• Minimum: Doctoral degree in Physical Therapy from an accredited program (if initially licensed after 2015) or alternate degree from an accredited program (if initially licensed before 2015)

Work Experience

• Preferred: Three or more years working in a related position

Licensure/Certification

• Passing score on licensure exam required by the state of Minnesota
• Current Physical Therapy license in Minnesota or ability to obtain

Personal Skills

• Ability to work collaboratively on a team
• Organizational skills to manage multiple projects and schedule
• A passion and willingness to learn
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Adaptability based on changing needs
• Solutions-focused problem solving skills
• Desire to work with students from birth – 21 with a varying level of needs  
• Adept in learning and using new technology

Physical Demands

• Lifting of students, equipment or supplies up to 20 pounds frequently, up to 50 pounds occasionally, and 100 pounds rarely
• Job duties may require kneeling, standing, walking, climbing stairs, reaching overhead, sitting on the floor and using appropriate body mechanics for twisting and bending
• Several tasks and job duties involve a risk of exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens and other potentially infectious materials (OPIM)
• Travel within and occasionally outside of the SCRED member districts
• Frequent computer use including long periods without movement