Description | Primary Purpose:
The Physical Therapist addresses the function of musculoskeletal, neurobehavioral, perceptual and motor development, cardiovascular, pulmonary and integumentary systems, to facilitate the effective performance of the student with special needs in the school environment. He/she is involved in the assessment, interpretation and integration of findings to prevent, alleviate, restore and improve or compensate movement dysfunction and functional living skills; such as mobility, endurance, and positioning in order to enable the student in to learn in the least restrictive environment.
Qualifications:
Education
- Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy from an accredited institution
Certification/Licensure:
- Licensed or eligible for license to practice in the state of Texas
Special Knowledge Skills:
- Knowledge of pediatric conditions and pediatric physical therapy
- Strong consultation skills for conferencing with teacher, parents, and students
Experience:
- Experience in school-based physical therapy preferred
- Experience with students with disabilities preferred
Major Responsibilities and Duties:
INSTRUCTIONAL MANAGEMENT
- Direct Special Education, related services to meet students’ needs
- Plan, implement, and evaluate instructional programs with general education, special education teachers, speech therapists and physical therapists including learning objectives, instructional strategies and assessment techniques
- Apply research and district studies to improve the content, sequence, and outcomes of the teaching learning process
- Involve instructional staff in evaluating and selecting instructional materials to meet student learning needs
- Facilitate the use of technology in the teaching-learning process
- Serve as a resource person in Special Education services to the district
- Work cooperatively with principals and staff to define personnel needs regarding instructional management
- Evaluates the effectiveness of the physical therapy program and makes necessary modifications
- Provides leadership to campus staff in the integration of students with disabilities into general education programs
- Facilitates the planning, application and implementation of assistive technology to ensure integration of students with special needs
- Coordinates the processes of identification and appraisal with instructional services for those students whose educational needs require services additional to, supplementary with, or different from those provided in the general education program
- Collaborates in the planning, organization and implementation of special education initiatives based on student outcomes
- Collaborates in the development, implementation and revision of procedural manuals for Special Education programs
- Assists Special Education teachers in meeting IEP goals established for their students
- Maintains current and accurate records of all cases referred from the Admission, Review, and Dismissal Committee (ARDC)
- Informs and assures campus principals as to compliance with federal, state, and district procedures as they related to physical therapy services
- Reviews the deliberations of the ARDC to ensure that physical therapy services are provided in accordance with the legal obligations of the Special Education Department and Edgewood Independent School District
SCHOOL/ORGANIZATIONAL CLIMATE
- Demonstrate skill in conflict resolution with administrators, parents, teachers, staff and community
- Provide for two-way communication with principals, teachers, staff, parents and community
- Deal sensitively and fairly with persons with diverse cultural backgrounds
- Ensure that district goals and objectives are developed using a collaborative process and problem-solving technique when appropriate
- Promote a positive, caring climate for learning
- Employ effective interpersonal skills
- Use management practices that promote collegiality, teamwork, and collaborative decision making among staff members
- Contribute to the recommendation of sound policies directed toward program improvement
- Communicate and promote expectations for high-level performance from staff and students; recognize excellence and achievement
- Communicates effectively with all campus personnel in the evaluation, planning and implementation of programs for students with disabilities
- Provides technical assistance in his/her area of expertise to campus administrators and staff to facilitate the consistent implementation of quality instruction to students with disabilities
- Adheres to all Edgewood Independent School District policies and procedures
- Promotes the effective communication of the mission statement of the school/district
SCHOOL/ORGANIZATIONAL IMPROVEMENT
- Use a collaborative decision making process and problem-solving techniques when appropriate
- Actively support the efforts of others to achieve district goals and objectives and the campus performance objectives (academic excellence indicators)
- Obtain and use evaluative findings, including student achievement data to examine curriculum/instructional program effectiveness
- Assess and respond to needs related to job responsibilities
- Contribute to the recommendation of sound policies directed toward program improvement
- Collaborates with Special Education Program Specialists to assure integration of Special Education students on mainstream campuses
- Collaborates in the monitoring of individual student programs and uses findings to improve the quality to programs and services
- Assists the Special Education Director in the development of appropriate forms, procedures, guidelines, agency reports, proposals, etc. that will further the effectiveness of the Special Education program
- Reviews student eligibility folders for necessary records as required
- Participates in campus planning when requested by the school administrator
- Collaborates in planning for architectural accessibility
PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT
- Promote a positive work environment and staff morale within the department
- Support staff development and other programs of professional development
- Prepare, review and revise job descriptions for positions in assigned areas of responsibility
- Provide effective staff development activities by using the mission of the district, program evaluation outcomes, and input from teachers and others
- Work cooperatively with others to ensure compliance with federal and state personnel laws and regulations as well as with EISD Board Policy
- Supports/assists in providing appropriate staff development on topics related to identified areas of expertise
- Apprises the campus administrator and Special Education Director of any areas of concern regarding the personnel needs of the Special Education program
- Assist in the programming needs for public and non-public contractural services
- Collaborates in the coordination of the services of Education Service Center, Region XX, so that full utilization of services offered by that facility can be drawn upon by campus administrators, as well as Special Education teachers and related services staff, in both the areas of materials and special consultants
- Identifies and uses appropriate school, home, community, state and national resources
- Upon request, assists in the recruitment and interviewing of staff for Special Education programs
- Supervises student interns
ADMINISTRATION AND FISCAL/FACILITIES MANAGEMENT
- Accurately prepare and submit in a timely manner any and all reports required by the board, the Texas Education Agency, and other federal and state agencies and any records subpoenaed by a court of law
- Prepare recommendations for the annual budget
- Ensure that funds are expended in accordance with the approved budget in our area
- Compile district, campus, and program budgets and cost estimates based upon documented program needs
- Compile, maintain, and file all reports, records, and other documents required
- Plan and conduct needs assessment for growth and improvement of the assigned area of responsibility
- Submits educational and/or statistical data for local and Texas Education Agency reports as requested
- Appraises the principal and Special Education Director as to the adequacy of program facilities
- Provides timely information and advice about costs of programs to administrators and teachers for budgetary consideration
- Confers with the teachers and program specialists to determine the instructional materials and equipment needs of the programs, and facilities their inclusion into the campus budget
- Maintains the inventory of physical therapy equipment, materials and supplies
STUDENT MANAGEMENT
- Work with staff, board and community in planning and implementing support services to students
- Establish and maintain open lines of communication by conducting conferences with parents, students and teachers concerning vital issues
- Participates in the deliberations of the Admission, Review, and Dismissal Committee by communicating the physical therapy needs of the student to school personnel and parents, and by taking part in decisions relating to placement and formulation of the Individual Educational Plan (IEP)
- Consults in annual reviews and staffing for student programs and assists in the orderly transition from one placement or grade level to the next
- Provides input, as appropriate, for student behavior management plans
- Coordinates related services provided to students, including transitional services, to assure a comprehensive and integrated program
- Collaborates with Special Education staff in assuring that all secondary students have an individual transition plan (ITP)
- Provides physical therapy intervention determined by the IEP
- Instructs Special Education staff regarding proper handling, lifting, and positioning of students
- Administers comprehensive evaluations to determine student needs
- Documents assessments/screenings, status reports and interventions
- Instructs use and care of adaptive and assistive devices
- Develops and assists in obtaining and maintaining assistive devices to be used in student educational program
PROFESSIONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
1. Pursue professional development through reading, attending conferences, and involvement with related agencies
2. Develop needed professional skills appropriate to job assignment
3. Demonstrate behavior that is professional, ethical, responsible and serve as a role model for all district staff
4. Monitor professional research and disseminate ideas and information to other professionals
- Participate in professional educational organizations
- Stays informed of and disseminates information regarding state and federal guidelines, as well as current “best practices” research and trends regarding Special Education programming
- Participates in professional organizations, disseminating ideas and information to other professionals, and provides leadership in identifying trends and opportunities, as well as problems facing the profession
- Performs duties in a professional, ethical, and responsible manner as defined in the Texas Education Agency and American Physical Therapy Association (AOTA) Code of Ethics
- Take the initiative to attend staff development activities that increase current knowledge in areas of responsibility
SCHOOL/COMMUNITY RELATIONS
- Articulate the district’s mission to the community and solicit its support in realizing the mission
- Assists in interpreting the philosophy and general objectives of physical therapy in school-based practice to parents, school personnel, the community, community agencies etc.
- Works closely with, and knows how to access, community agencies (Texas Rehabilitation Commission, Center for Health Care Services, etc.) in order to identify resources for student/family support and district/community cooperation
- Assists in developing public awareness of transitional program
- Assists in planning and implementation of parent involvement activities
- Encourages and supports parental participation at ARDC meetings and in the development and implementation of their child’s educational plan and program
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Supervise and evaluate the performance of assigned personnel in the assigned area of responsibility
- The physical therapist supervises clinical internships for students enrolled in physical therapy and physical therapy assistant programs
- He/she supervises certified physical therapy assistants (PTA) employed by the district
EQUIPMENT USED:
Uses typewriter, computer, word processor, calculator, copier, fax machine, binding machine, and laminating machine.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Normal office conditions
ENVIRONMENT:
Normal office conditions |