Fort Larned USD 495 - Physical Therapist or PTA

 

Position Overview: Work involves evaluating students to determine the need for physical therapy; developing appropriate therapy programs, including routines for classroom and home adaptation; and providing therapy to students. Services include direct service and/or consultation with school staff, families, medical personnel, community agencies, and others as needed. The employee is responsible for documenting planning and treatment activities, preparing reports of students' progress, and consulting with parents and classroom teachers.

 

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assess students using appropriate evaluation tools including standardized tests, clinical observations, and review of medical and educational reports to determine the need for a therapy intervention plan.
• Develop and implement individualized therapy programs for qualifying students.
• Document screenings, evaluations, Individual Education Plans, progress reports, classroom/home programs, and other data, as required.
• Provide consultation with classroom teachers and other school staff regarding students' optimal function in the school environment.
• Provide classroom programs, instruction in management techniques, adapted equipment, and environmental modifications, including the identification of architectural barriers.
• Consult with parents and/or guardians regarding students' therapy programs.
• Adapt, fabricate, and maintain specialized equipment required for therapy services or student needs.
• Investigate and recommend types of equipment available to meet student needs, funding sources, and vendor options, including insurance forms and letters of justification.
• Provide in-service training to teachers and other school personnel, as needed, and assist with education, orientation, and preparation of receiving school staff and students regarding issues, concerns, and information about the inclusion of exceptional children in regular school and classroom programs.
• Supervise physical therapist assistants.
• Travel between locations where students require services.
• Maintain clinical and administrative records in accordance with State Guidelines and school board policy.
• Complete random moment in time studies.
• Perform other related work as required.

Minimum Training:

• 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 a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant in Kansas.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license issued by the State of Kansas.

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 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 an adequate inventory of supplies.
• Ability to maintain complete and accurate records and to develop simple reports from those records.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.

Contact: Interested candidates must complete the application online. For more information, please contact Denise Schmidt, Director of Special Education, at (620) 285-3119 or via email at denise.schmidt@usd495.com.

 

Non-Discrimination Policy: USD 495 does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, disability, or age when considering applications for employment. Any questions regarding the Board’s compliance with Title VI, Title IX, Americans with Disabilities Act, or Section 504 may be directed to the local Title IX Coordinator at (620) 285-3185, 120 East 6th Street, Larned, KS 67550, or the Kansas Title IX Coordinator at (785) 296-2424, 120 S.E. 10th Avenue, Topeka, KS 66612-1182, or to the Assistant Secretary of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education.