Physical Therapist Assistant

Reports To: Physical Therapist

Terms of Employment: This is a 10 month position

Nature of Work:

The school-based physical therapist assistant assists a school-based physical therapist to support the education of students suspected of and/or diagnosed with a disability in their least restrictive environment. The school-based physical therapist assistant implements the physical therapy program established by the school-based physical therapist within the school setting. The school-based physical therapist assistant is expected to utilize critical thinking skills to optimize treatment sessions, effectively communicate with the school staff, and accurately collect gross motor performance data. The school-based physical therapist assistant should be able to provide useful recommendations to the school staff regarding the physical management of students, gross motor development of students, and environmental modifications for students. In addition, the school-based physical therapist assistant assists the physical therapist with additional tasks that are within the scope of practice for a physical therapy assistant, associated with caseload management.

Qualifications and Licensure:

• Current NC Board of Physical Therapy Examiners Physical Therapist Assistant License

• Minimum: Successful completion and graduation with an Associate's Degree from a Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education-accredited physical therapist assistant education program.

• Desired: Two years of experience as a physical therapist assistant

• Preferred: Two years of experience as a physical therapist assistant in a school setting or other pediatric setting

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Safely provides physical therapy interventions with sound clinical judgment for students with an established physical therapy plan of care under the direction of a school-based physical therapist

• Performs treatment session(s) with students that address the established goals and objectives within the student's physical therapy plan of care and IEP

• Accurately collects the data necessary to determine a student's progress (or lack thereof) towards their physical therapy goals and objectives

• Identifies additional areas in which physical therapy can assist in a student's education

• Identifies issues with students' mobility durable medical equipment (i.e. walker, wheelchair, etc.).

• Collaborates with the teaching staff, physical therapist(s), related service staff (SLPs, OTs), and other school staff

• Assists physical therapist with caseload management responsibilities that are within the scope of practice for a physical therapy assistant

• Accurately documents student encounters in compliance with Medicaid standards in a timely fashion

• Knowledge of physical therapy principles, theory, methods, modalities, and their application in an educational environment

• Knowledge of effective practice, clinical decision making and outcome-based intervention, and their proper application in the educational environment

• Ability to build rapport with students, teaching staff, and other school staff.

• Knowledge of areas of practices specific to pediatrics, including child development, and specific diseases

• Ability to maintain confidentiality in all aspects of work

• Ability to be open and responsive to critical feedback

• Skill in effective oral and written communication

• Ability to communicate using a variety of techniques and modalities

• Ability to maintain legal and accreditation compliance by adhering to policy positions, federal, state, and local regulations and standards to ensure licensure and student safety

• Flexible thinking and problem-solving skills

• Ability to accurately document student encounters with Medicaid standards in a timely fashion

• Ability to identify and relay knowledge that is pertinent to the physical therapy management of a student to the physical therapist

• Ability to accurately collect data on gross motor performance

• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the supervisor

Physical Requirements:

• Duties may require extensive standing and walking

• Duties may require assisting with lifting or positioning students as part of the physical therapy plan

• Duties may require frequent reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, and crouching

Special Requirements:

• Valid and up-to-date NC Driver's license

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 of this job.