Physical Therapist - Per Diem (Home/Community Based Program)

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.