Meet State Licensure Requirements. Masters Degree.

A $44.00 background check is required upon offer of employment. A $125.00 license fee is required upon offer of employment.

Roswell Independent School District

Job Description

Job Title:  PHYSICAL THERAPIST 

Reports To:  ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT FOR SPECIAL SERVICES 

General Job Description:

To provide physical therapy services to identify eligible special education students for the prevention of increased disability wherever possible, through the development of compensatory motor skill and the identification, adaptation and adjustment of equipment when needed.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of handicapping conditions and their effects on sensory, motor, psychosocial and cognitive development of students with disabilities.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of local, federal and state regulations and procedures pertaining to the provision of physical therapy services in the school setting.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of major theories, treatment procedures and research relevant to providing physical therapy services for children with disabilities.
4. Select, administer and interpret appropriate assessment instruments and procedures taking into consideration the student’s age, developmental level, disability and educational needs.
5. Assess the functional performances of students with disabilities within the school environment.
6. Engage in consensus decision making as a member of the IEP team.
7. Plan and implement intervention strategies using direct therapy, monitoring and consultation.
8. Communicate effectively (orally and in writing) with educational personnel, administrators, parents and community members.
9. Explain the role of physical therapy within the educational setting to education personnel, administrators, parents and community members.
10. Document assessment and intervention results in the proper manner for a school setting and to relate this information to the educational goals of the student.
11. Develop, implement, evaluate and modify according to a physical therapy program within a school setting.
12. Provide services to special education students determined eligible through the evaluation placement/review process.
13. Direct therapeutic services aimed at the prevention of increased disability where possible.
14. Develop compensatory motor skills.
15. Identification, adaptation and adjustment of equipment (if needed).
16. Provide instructional recommendations to be carried out in the classroom.
17. Assess students’ progress toward master of goals/objectives established in the IEP.
18. Provide supervision to any L.P.T.A. (Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant) or P.T. Aide providing services in the schools.
19. Conduct assessment of students referred through the evaluation process.
20. Participate in the program plan for individual students.
21. Provide intervention for student’s identified as needing service by the IEP team.
22. Demonstrate management skills.
23. Enter Medicaid notes by weekly deadline.
24. May be required to perform other related functions as assigned by supervisor and/or Superintendent.

Assessment and Evaluation:

1. Evaluate new students enrolling in the program within a reasonable time.  If therapy is not indicated as a direct service, the therapist shall provide written input to the appropriate persons.
2. Use standardized tests, and customized measures and/or observation to evaluate the student in areas of cognitive-perceptual-motor skills, motor coordination, psychosocial, development, self-care, muscle strength and range of motion, postural reflexes, needs for adaptive devices and prostheses, and vocational skills.
3. The therapist, with parental permission, may make home visits for the purpose of evaluating the child within his/her home environment.
4. Evaluate treatment effectiveness by observation, testing, communication with family and other sources.                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Planning and Treatment – Direct Services:

1. Maintain or improve motor functioning such as normal developmental motor patterns, range of motion, muscle strength, gross and fine motor coordination, and activity tolerance.
2. Improve level of functioning in the areas of visual, auditory, tactile, kinesthetic perception, and cognitive-perceptual-motor integration skills.
3. Improve psychosocial development by aiding ego development, developing social interaction skills, and helping the child discover constructive alternatives.
4. Help the child achieve a maximum level of independence in toileting, feeding, personal hygiene, dressing, grooming, and mobility.
5. Help the child acquire homemaking and vocational skills and appropriate work habits through pre-vocational activities.
6. Instruct the student in the use of functional and adaptive equipment and devices.

Indirect Services:

1. Participate in the Individual Educational Program Committee (EP)
2. Use a team approach in planning and treatment with school personnel, families, physicians and agencies.
3. Re-evaluate treatment program and revise goals.
4. Stress follow-through of physical therapy goals in the classroom setting and support classroom goals in the therapy treatment program.
5. Maintain a close working relationship with parents for follow-through of physical therapy treatment goals in the home.
6. Provide training to the appropriate persons regarding effective methods to aid the mainstreamed handicapped student.
7. Maintain background, assessment, and treatment records in accordance with administrative policy and the Right to Privacy Law.
8. Design and construct adaptive equipment and devices for the student and/or the classroom.
9. Attend outside clinic and agency meetings as appropriate.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Supervise Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant’s.

Qualifications:

1. Must be currently licensed by the NM Physical Therapist Regulation and Licensing Board and the State Department of Education.
2. Master’s degree from an accredited university program in Physical Therapy is required for licensing.
3. Must obtain a minimum of 2.0 CEU’s (20 hours) per year for licensure requirement.
4. P.T. Licensure must be renewed every (2) two years by the NM Regulation and Licensing Department Physical Therapy Board.
5. Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Superintendent may find appropriate and acceptable.
6. To perform this job successfully, as individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
7. Valid Driver’s license and Insurance.
8. Must be able to travel from site to site.

Ability To:

1. Maintain confidentiality with sensitive matters and treat people with respect and dignity.
2. Work with a wide variety of individuals in a highly stressful environment.
3. Be flexible and able to prioritize tasks and maintain accurate and detailed records.
4. Communicate in well-organized oral and written forms.
5. Be able to maintain a neat, functional office that is inviting but professional, safe environment.
6. Report to work on time and work no less than 7.25 hours per day.
7. Work independently with very little supervision.
8. Maintain mental capacity which allows the ability to make sound decisions and demonstrate intellectual capabilities.

Physical Requirements:

Sitting, standing, lifting and carrying (up to 40 pounds), climbing stairs, reaching, squatting, kneeling, having full mobility of fingers/hands, and moving light furniture may be required.

Safety and Health:

Knowledge of universal hygiene precautions.

Equipment/Material Handled:

Must know how to properly operate, or be willing to learn to operate, all multi-media equipment including current technology.

Work Environment:

Must be able to work within various degrees of noise, temperature, and air quality.  Interruptions of work are routine.  Flexibility and patience are required.  Must be self-motivated and able to complete job assignments without direct supervision.  After hours work may be required.  May make site visits when needed and appropriate.  Must be able to work under stressful conditions.

Terms of Employment:

Salary and work year to be established by the Board.