FUNCTIONAL PURPOSE: The school based physical therapist, as a member of the educational team, supports the education of students suspected of and/or diagnosed with a disability in their least restrictive environment. The school physical therapist develops, implements, and coordinates a physical therapy program within the school setting: providing screening, evaluation, and intervention services. The school based physical therapist is expected to analyze risk, problem solve effectively and demonstrate a high level of professional judgment when recommending and providing services, making environmental modifications, and training staff to manage physical needs at an appropriate level of supervision. Work involves applying physical therapy theory and techniques to the classroom environment and is not based on the medical model for this profession. The physical therapist, though working as a team member serving students, is autonomous in applying principles of physical therapy and responsible for working within the North Carolina Physical Therapy Practice Act, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and other legal mandates. The physical therapist is supervised by the assigned Exceptional Children's Division Program Manager and is evaluated based on the North Carolina School Based Physical Therapist Evaluation Process.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Evaluates and screens students using appropriate tests, skilled professional observation and supplementary information from other agencies and records. Documents written evaluation report denoting implications within the educational setting and recommendations to the IEP (Individualized Education Program) team.
• Interprets assessment findings and appropriately convey information to parents and school teams.
• Identifies student's needs and exhibits empathy to individual differences with respect to the student's social and emotional learning.
• Develops and implements intervention strategies. Conducts individual or group sessions which us specific physical therapy theory and practical applications.
• Develops a physical management plan for daily classroom routines and trains staff in its safe implementation.
• Participates with the school team to develop IEPs and Section 504 Plans.
• Evaluates and reports on student progress to include written progress notes.
• Documents student response to treatment interventions in accordance with licensing requirements and departmental procedures.
• Communicates and consults with schools staff, parents, administrators, physicians, community agencies and other professionals. Collaborates with community-based therapists and other healthcare providers of effective coordination of services.
• Contributes to planning safe transportation of students with disabilities.
• Participates with improving school accessibility and planning environmental modifications.
• Maintains student service, administrative and other departmental records in accordance with the Physical Therapy Practice Act as well as school district policies, State and Federal laws.
• Maintains current awareness of trends, innovations, and new physical therapy techniques in order to consider them for implementation in the educational model.
• Provides direct supervision over support personnel and physical therapy assistants in accordance with North Carolina's Physical Therapy Practice Act.
• Provides clinical educational opportunities for students of physical therapy.
• Other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of physical therapy principles, theory, methods, modalities, and their application in an educational environment.
• Knowledge of effective practice, clinical decision making and outcome-based intervention, and their proper application in the educational environment.
• Knowledge of areas of practices specific to pediatrics, including child development, and specific diseases.
• Ability to plan, implement, administer, and coordinate a physical therapy individual or group program from eligibility determination to exit.
• Ability to select and administer appropriate assessment tools and interpret results of assessment.
• Ability to plan, coordinate, and provide training and continuing education, both formally and informally to parents, school administration, school staff, community agencies, staff and other medical professionals.
• Ability to prepare and evaluate reports, medical histories, and individualized educational plans and the impact of physical therapy on the individual child.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality in all aspects of work.
• Ability to be open and responsive to critical feedback.
• Ability to seek knowledge and utilize resources to enhance pediatric gross motor development acumen with respond to diagnoses and treatment strategies.
• Ability to document a clear picture of intervention strategies and student response.
• Skill in selecting and providing a wide range of intervention strategies and monitoring their effectiveness.
• Skill in effective oral and written communication. Ability to communicate using a variety of techniques and modalities.
• Ability to maintain legal and accreditation compliance by adhering to policy positions, federal, state, and local regulations and standards to ensure licensure and student safety.
• Flexible thinking and problem-solving skills.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Minimum: Successful completion and graduation from an accredited physical therapy professional grogram recognized by The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) and have completed all fieldwork requirements.
• Desirable: Two years of experience as a physical therapist
• Desirable: Two years of experience as a physical therapist, in a school setting or other pediatric setting is preferred.

CERTIFICATION AND LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS:

• Current and up-to-date Physical Therapist license for the state of North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy examiners required
• Valid and up-to-date NC Driver's license.

Therapist Pay Schedule - 10 Months
PHYSICAL WORK DEMANDS:

PHYSICAL

ACTIVITY

FREQUENCY

C - Constant

F - Frequent

O - Occasional

I - Infrequent

NR - Not Required

PHYSICAL

ACTIVITY

FREQUENCY

C - Constant

F - Frequent

O - Occasional

I - Infrequent

NR - Not Required

Climbing/Balancing
F
Lifting/Carrying
F up to 35 lbs.
Crawling/Kneeling
F
Grasping/Twisting
F
Walking
C
Reaching
C
Running
I
Pushing/Pulling
F
Standing
C
Fingering/Typing
F
Sitting
F
Driving
F requires driving car between sites
Bending/Stooping
C
Others:

In compliance with Federal Law, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools administers all education programs, employment activities and admissions without discrimination against any person on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, or disability.