NATURE OF WORK

An employee in this class provides specialized physical therapy services for eligible school students.  The employee receives medical directions as to the specific results to be achieved and then exercises discretion in determining the clinical procedure to follow.  Work involves evaluating students to determine need for physical therapy; developing appropriate therapy programs, including routines for classroom and home adaptation; and providing therapy to students.  Services include direct service and/or consultation with school staff, families, medical personnel, community agencies, and others as needed.  Employee is responsible for documenting planning and treatment activities, preparing reports of students’ progress, and consulting with parents and classroom teachers.  Employee is also responsible for modifications of equipment and/or environment and in-service training.  The employee is expected to resolve most problems that do not require additional medical diagnosis.  Errors in treatment could cause serious harm to students and ensuing liability for the school system.

 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Assesses students using appropriate evaluation tools including standardized tests, clinical observations, and review of medical and educational reports to determine need for therapy intervention plan.

Develops and implements individualized therapy programs for qualifying students.

Documents screenings, evaluations, Individual Education Plans, progress reports, classroom/home programs and other data, as required.

Provides consultation with classroom teacher and other school staff regarding students optional function in the school environment.

Provides classroom programs, instruction in management techniques, adapted equipment, and environmental modifications including the identification of architectural barriers.

Consults with parents and/or guardians regarding students’ therapy programs.

Adapts, fabricates and maintains specialized equipment required for therapy services or student needs.

Investigates and recommends types of equipment available to meet student needs, funding sources, and vendor options, including insurance forms and letters of justification.

Provides in-service training to teachers and other school personnel, as needed, assists with education, orientation and preparation of receiving school staffs and students regarding issues, concerns and information about “inclusion” of exceptional children in regular school and classroom programs.

Supervises physical therapist assistants.

Provides clinical education for therapy student interns from colleges and universities.

Plans, orders and maintains departmental supplies and equipment; maintains records as required.

Travels between locations where students require services.

Maintains clinical and administrative records in accordance with State Guidelines and school board policy.

Completes random moment in time studies as required by MAC program guidelines.

Performs other related work as required.

 

MINIMUM TRAINING

Graduation from a four-year accredited program of physical therapy and two years of experience or a master’s degree in physical therapy; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.  Licensed as a physical therapist by the North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy.  Possession of a valid driver’s license issued by the State of North Carolina.

 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Must be able to operate a variety of equipment including computers, walkers, standers, seating systems, wheelchairs, canes, crutches, splints, body jackets, goniometers, etc.  Must be able to exert up to 40 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.

Requires the ability to read a variety of correspondences, medical records, educational records, test results, directives, requests, etc.

Requires the ability to record and deliver information and to understand procedures.

 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Thorough knowledge of the theory, principles and methods of physical therapy and their proper application in the educational environment.

Considerable knowledge of appropriate evaluating tools.

Considerable knowledge of the equipment and assistive technology available to use in therapy.

Considerable knowledge of current literature, trends and developments in the field of physical therapy and general medicine.

Considerable knowledge of feeding issues such as food consistency, oral motor functioning, adaptive equipment and specific feeding techniques.

General knowledge of the principles of organization and administration.

Skill in adapting or designing equipment for individual needs.

Skill in administering treatment.

Ability to select and administer appropriate assessment and treatment activities.

Ability to plan, coordinate and conduct on-the-job training and continuing education for a variety of individuals.

Ability to screen, evaluate and provide required physical therapy services.

Ability to develop and implement individualized programs.

Ability to make decisions that may have medical, orthopedic or neurological implications.

Ability to accurately document sessions.

Ability to train others in simple therapy principles.

Ability to maintain adequate inventory of supplies.

Ability to maintain complete and accurate records and to develop simple reports from those records.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.

 

REPORTS TO:      Director of Exceptional Children

FSLA STATUS:    Exempt

DISCLAIMER

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification.  It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees in this job.