Temporary Physical Therapist - Abilities First Myers Corners Education Center in Wappingers Falls, NY
About The Position
Abilities First is seeking a patient, energetic, and passionate Temporary Physical Therapist for the Myers Corners Education Center in Wappingers Falls, New York. The role works with an interdisciplinary team to support educational programming for school-age children at every level of ability. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., 35 hours per week, 48 weeks per year, including a six-week summer program. This is a temporary position. The Physical Therapist evaluates students on an assigned caseload and new referrals, determines appropriate service levels and program goals, provides direct treatment, and monitors and adjusts goals based on student progress. The therapist coordinates schedules with classroom staff and related-service personnel, completes required documentation, assesses and supports equipment needs, and communicates with families and staff about students’ programs and progress. The position also includes instruction for parents and staff on positioning, mobility, transfers, and treatment carryover; participation in meetings and reviews; and supervision or training of Physical Therapy Assistants and student physical therapists when assigned. The therapist is expected to follow APTA standards and agency policies, maintain required trainings and certifications, demonstrate the NYS DSP Core Competencies, and comply with the agency’s legal and ethical standards and safety procedures. The role also includes maintaining treatment sites, providing department in-services when indicated, and performing other appropriate job-related activities as requested. Hourly pay is $50.60–$52.60 for a Physical Therapist with a master’s degree, or $60.72–$62.72 for a Physical Therapist with a DPT. Actual starting pay depends on qualifications and other job-related factors; the stated range excludes fringe benefits and applicable stipends.
Requirements
- Degree in Physical Therapy from an accredited school.
- Licensed with the New York State Department of Education.
- Clean driver’s license deemed acceptable by the agency’s insurance carrier.
- Ability to obtain Handle with Care, CPR, SFA, and medication certifications; these certifications are listed as a plus, and the ability to obtain them is required.
- Successful NYS OPWDD background check.
- Ability to push and pull students in wheelchairs and lift, bend, squat, turn at the knees, pivot, and grasp with both hands, with or without reasonable accommodation.
- English verbal and written communication skills sufficient to ensure adequate regulatory documentation.
Nice To Haves
- Current Handle with Care, CPR, SFA, and medication certifications.
Responsibilities
- Evaluate students on the assigned caseload and establish appropriate long- and short-term program goals.
- Evaluate new referrals to determine the need for services and appropriate service level.
- Provide direct treatment to students on the assigned caseload.
- Schedule the caseload in coordination with classroom staff and other related-service personnel.
- Submit required written documentation in accordance with school and preschool policies, forms, content requirements, and deadlines.
- Periodically reassess student progress and adjust goals as needed.
- Assess students’ equipment needs in collaboration with clinical and educational staff; recommend, fabricate, and adapt equipment according to agency policies, with equipment-technician assistance when indicated.
- Communicate regularly with parents, classroom staff, and related-service personnel about students’ programs and progress.
- Instruct parents, classroom staff, and related-service personnel in positioning, lifting and carrying, ambulation, transfers, and activities that support treatment-goal carryover.
- Inform appropriate staff and parents or primary caregivers when a student needs periodic reassessment by a physician.
- Participate in staff meetings, team meetings, and parent/teacher conferences as indicated.
- Supervise Physical Therapy Assistants through weekly meetings when assigned by administrative staff.
- Train and supervise affiliating student physical therapists on department policy, professional conduct, evaluation, and treatment when assigned.
- Attend CSE annual reviews as requested and provide input on a child’s therapy needs in the educational setting.
- Assist with maintenance of treatment sites and provide department in-services when indicated.
- Adhere to APTA Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics.
- Demonstrate the goals and skillsets outlined in the NYS DSP Core Competencies and keep required trainings and certifications current.
- Follow the agency Code of Legal and Ethical Behavior, policies, procedures, and safety practices.
- Perform other appropriate job-related activities as requested by a supervisor or as circumstances warrant.
