Reports To:         Physical Therapist           

Position Purpose:           

The school physical therapy assistant, as a member of the educational team, supports the education of students suspected of and/or diagnosed with a disability in their least restrictive environment.  The school physical therapy assistant administers physical therapy interventions guided by an Individual Education Plan (IEP) delegated by a physical therapist in order to improve the students’ functional independence at school.  The school physical therapy assistant may make minor adjustments in intervention delivery as needed that are consistent with the established IEP.  Medical problems or modification to intervention will be referred to the school physical therapist for solution.

Qualifications:                 

• Associates Degree in Physical Therapy Assistant (minimum) from a school accredited school or university.
• Must have, or be eligible for current Physical Therapy Assistant license from the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts.
• School-based Physical Therapy Assistant experience helpful but not necessary.

Physical/Emotional Requirements:  (The incumbent may be required to use the below requirements during any part of the working day.)

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear.  The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, sit, and reach with hands and arms.  The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and depth perception.

Performance Responsibilities: 

• Adheres to professional, ethical and legal standards of practice
• Participates with physical therapist in developing individual treatment programs
• Administers a variety of exercises and interventions
• Observes and records the effectiveness of intervention, and document students’ progress
• Proposes modification of specific intervention procedures to physical therapist
• Confers with physical therapist, school staff, parents and community based workers to implement student program
• Coordinates treatment schedule with therapists and school staff
• Explains treatment techniques to students, parents and school staff
• Processes orders for equipment and supplies
• Must complete all Special Education paperwork including IEPs and Medicaid billing.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of physical therapy principles, theory, methods and their application in an educational environment
• Skill in providing a variety of interventions
• Skill in effective oral and written communication
• Ability to prepare and maintain accurate records
• Knowledge of areas of practice specific to pediatrics, including child development and precautions when working with specific diagnoses

Terms of Employment:

9 months; salary and work year to be determined by the Board of Education.

Evaluation:

Performance of this position will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the board policy on evaluation of Support Service Personnel

Significant associations:

The performance responsibilities are not limited to those outlined in this description and may include any other responsibilities as assigned by the administrator/supervisor