Physical Therapist

Charles County Public Schools•La Plata, MD

11d•Hybrid

About The Position

This position is responsible for screening and evaluating students (birth through age 21) referred to the IEP/Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) process. The Physical Therapist will administer formal and informal physical therapy assessments, and plan and implement IEP goals and objectives for therapy programs based on eligibility and individual student needs. This role involves consulting with staff, parents, and support personnel for adaptive equipment use and implementation of support, accommodations, modifications, and goals. The therapist will determine the need for and intensity/frequency of therapy services and consultations, and maintain/document data/observations from therapy sessions and consultations in an online database. Records must be maintained in accordance with COMAR and county procedures. The position requires participation in parent conferences and school/departmental meetings as appropriate, and modifying and adapting equipment and devices for students in their environments. An ongoing relationship with medical caregivers, vendors, and other community service providers is necessary. The therapist will provide training and/or consultation to school system staff as needed to address student needs and function as a member of a team in planning effective treatment programs. Participation in 504/IEP/IFSP and clinic/agency meetings is also required. The role includes maintaining continuing professional development for state license requirements, tracking data, and providing quarterly progress reports each marking period. Monthly Medicaid billing for direct therapy services provided must be completed and submitted. Collaboration with a multi-disciplinary team including teachers, PTs, OTs, COTAs, SLPs, SLPAs, instructional assistants (IAs), behavioral specialists, school psychologists, etc., is essential. Ordering and recommending supplies and equipment to support student needs is also part of the role. The position requires reporting to work promptly, working under stress, meeting deadlines, and planning a therapy/consultation schedule that meets student needs. Travel between schools as necessary, providing resource assistance in workshop activities, and establishing positive public relations between school, families, and community are also expected. This position is responsible for the above duties and responsibilities and others related to this position as determined by the Director of Special Education.

Requirements

Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctorate degree in physical therapy from an approved institution.
Completion of clinical affiliations.
Current License issued by the Maryland State Board of Physical Therapy.
Pass qualifying examination for national certification.
Knowledge of typical versus delayed/atypical gross motor development, functional mobility, self-help/vocational skills, and activities of daily living
Demonstrate diagnostic skills in the areas of gross motor, functional mobility, self-help/adaptive, vocation, and daily living skills
Ability to administer formal and informal assessment instruments for the above-mentioned skill areas
Ability to analyze and write evaluation reports and Individual Education Plans (IEPs)
Knowledge of the Medicaid billing process
Knowledge of educational and psychological assessments
Knowledge of the general education curriculum
Understanding of and ability to maintain rapport with persons from diverse, cultural, ethnic, and racial groups
Demonstrate interpersonal skills when working with diverse groups including but not limited to parents, fellow staff, students, administrators, and community agency representatives
Demonstrate success in accomplishing tasks akin to those responsibilities listed below

Responsibilities

Screen and evaluate students (birth through age 21) referred to the IEP/Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) process
Administer formal and informal physical therapy assessments
Plan and implement IEP goals and objectives for therapy programs based on eligibility and individual student needs
Consult with staff, parents and support personnel for adaptive equipment use and implementation of support, accommodations, modifications, and goals
Determine need for and intensity/frequency of therapy services and consultations
Maintain/document data/observations from therapy sessions and consultations in online database
Maintain records in accordance with COMAR and county procedures
Participate in parent conferences and school/departmental meetings as appropriate
Modify and adapt equipment and devices for students in their environments
Maintain ongoing relationship with medical caregivers, vendors and other community service providers
Provide training and/or consultation to school system staff as needed to address student needs
Function as a member of a team in planning effective treatment programs
Participate in 504/IEP/IFSP and clinic/agency meetings as needed
Maintain continuing professional development for state license requirements
Track data and provide quarterly progress reports each marking period
Complete and submit monthly Medicaid billing for direct therapy services provided
Collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team including teachers, PTs, OTs, COTAs, SLPs, SLPAs, instructional assistants (IAs), behavioral specialists, school psychologists, etc.
Order and make recommendations for supplies and equipment to support student needs
Report to work promptly
Work under stress and meet deadlines
Plan a therapy/consultation schedule which meets the needs of students
Travel between schools as necessary
Provide resource assistance in workshop activities
Establish positive public relations between school, families, and community