Summary Description

The Physical Therapist will develop and carry out a program for the maintenance of students with physical disabilities within the Frederick County Public Schools by establishing and maintaining communication with physicians, therapists, parents, and others dealing with the student with disabilities.

 

Qualifications

• 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 an physical therapist by the Virginia Department of Health Professions: Board of Physical Therapy 
• Possession of a valid driver’s license issued by the State of Virginia

 

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 record and deliver information and to understand procedures.
• 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 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.
• Ability to read a variety of correspondences, medical records, educational records, test results, directives, requests, etc.
• Ability to operate a variety of equipment including computers, walkers, standers, seating systems, wheel chairs, canes, crutches, splints, body jackets, goniometers, etc.  
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments

 

Essential Duties

• Provides students with disabilities therapy in the following areas: range of motion, posture, gait, strength, motor development, and functional abilities
• 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
• Maintains a close liaison with medical doctors
• Develops and implements individualized therapy programs for qualifying students.
• Documents screenings, evaluations, Individual Education Programs, progress reports, classroom/home programs and other data, as required
• Provides consultation with classroom teachers and other school staff regarding students' optional functioning in the school environment
• Functions as a member of an interdisciplinary team whose purpose is to provide an appropriate educational programming for students with disabilities
• 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 staff and students regarding issues, concerns and information about “inclusion” of exceptional children in regular school and classroom programs
• Supervises physical therapist assistants, as available
• 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 UMASS program guidelines
• Adheres to the Code of Ethics of the American Physical Therapy Association
• Completes monthly Medicaid billing for submission as required
• Performs other related work as required

Pay Rate:

Physical Therapist Salary Scale (credit is based on years of full-time experience in a related position)

 

 

Contract:
Full time / 10 months / 200 days

 

Start Date:

This position is effective with the 2024-2025 school year