Overview Perform physical therapy evaluations and conduct therapy sessions in accordance with students’ IEP/IFSPs. Communicate appropriately with professional staff and families of assigned students. Maintain accurate documentation in compliance with the regulations established by NYSED, DOH and other oversight agencies. Responsibilities STANDARD 1: Professional Duties • Assess students’ needs through a variety of formal and informal measures. • Analyze assessment results to form appropriate diagnoses and generate objective goals for students’ IEP/IFSPs. • Develop and implement appropriate therapeutic activities and strategies for facilitation of motor control and developmental skills, including upper/lower extremity functioning. • Provide physical therapy services in accordance with the frequency, duration and location specified on students’ IEP/IFSPs. • Address the behavioral needs of students through the use of positive behavior supports and adherence to students’ behavioral support plans. • Demonstrate the ability to be an effective member of an interdisciplinary team. • Inform team members of students’ progress on goals and provide activities to be carried over into the classroom/home environments. • Integrate information and strategies offered by team members and other professionals. • Participate in conferences, including parent, team, CPSE, CSE and/or IFSP meetings, as assigned (may include evening meetings). • Maintain appropriate professional standards in interactions with families. • Maintain ongoing contact with parent/guardian regarding students’ progress and intervention strategies. • Conduct in-service training for staff and/or families, as needed. • Complete and maintain all required paperwork in an appropriate, accurate and timely manner. • Organize and complete reports and evaluations in an accurate, concise and timely manner. • Demonstrate the ability to recognize problems that occur and report them immediately. • Demonstrate flexibility and be readily adaptable to change. • Demonstrate effective time management. • Supervise interns/volunteers as requested and maintain contact with university supervisors regarding the student intern’s progress. • Maintain required certification and/or licensure through completion of continuing education credits, renewal and payment of annual dues, as required for this position. • Participate in physical therapy screenings as requested. • Determine the need and implement programs for sensory modalities and/or adaptive equipment, as deemed appropriate. • Demonstrate knowledge of job responsibilities. STANDARD 2: Therapy Environment Management • Responsible for health and safety of students. • Maintain a healthy, safe and attractive environment. STANDARD 3: Professional Behavior • Perform other duties, as assigned. • Conduct self at all times in an appropriate manner. • Adhere to program-specific policies and procedures. STANDARD 4: Professional Development • Participate in continuing education activities and seek support to enhance knowledge in areas pertinent to students in the program. • Participate in program required in-services and act in an appropriate manner. STANDARD 5: Adhere to general policies of the organization/regulators including: • Corporate Compliance • Code of Ethical Conduct • Departmental in-service education program requirements • Quality improvement activities • Policies and procedures (attendance, punctuality, appearance, professional attitude, etc.) • Regulatory requirements • Emergency/disaster preparedness protocols • Fire prevention and safety protocols • Infection control practices and procedures • Annual physical examination, medically approved Tuberculin test and risk assessment, and required immunizations • Active supervision of students STANDARD 6: Performs other related duties as required. • Demonstrate an understanding of the special needs of all students. • Modify strategies, activities and/or therapeutic interventions to meet the students’ individual needs. • Display initiative and interest in departmental advancement/needs. • Respond quickly to students and/or parent/guardian’s request, refer to appropriate member of the care team, if necessary, and inform supervisor of actions taken. • Promote positive co-worker relationships, teamwork and cooperation. • Demonstrate flexibility as well as the ability to handle numerous responsibilities. • Take individual responsibility for providing outstanding service quality. • Maintain child and family confidentiality. • Be consistently courteous and considerate, in person and on the telephone, in interactions with students and others such as family, visitors, vendors, and other employees. • Exhibit the “At Your Service” attitude, i.e., smile, use positive eye contact, and be friendly, open and approachable. STANDARD 7: Supervision • Take an active role in supervision sessions by contributing ideas, asking questions, seeking clarification and implementing recommendations. STANDARD 8: Cultural Competencies • Demonstrate the ability to communicate and effectively interact with people across cultures, ranges of disability, genders, ethnicity and races. • Demonstrate the ability to recognize and manage personal behaviors to create an inclusive, equitable and welcoming environment. • Demonstrate the ability to successfully deliver culturally responsive services to students and families. Qualifications • Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy from an accredited program, with New York State licensure and registration as a Physical Therapist required. • Knowledge of anatomy and neuromotor development as normally acquired through completion of an accredited Physical Therapy program required. • Minimum (1) year related work experience with preschool and school age special needs population preferred. Physical aspects may include, but are not limited to, lifting and transferring of a student.