Temporary Physical Therapist

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 320,000 students in 500 schools and employing over 44,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life.  In order to fulfill this mission, we make three commitments to our students, their families, and all Chicagoans: academic progress, financial stability, and integrity.  Six core values are embedded within these commitments – student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning.

Job Summary: 

The PT’s role in education is to enable children with disabilities to benefit from special education instruction in the least restrictive environment. The school PT develops implements and coordinates a physical therapy program through evaluation and intervention services, including direct services to the child and consultative services on behalf of the child, such as support of the teacher and/or other staff members.

The temporary Physical Therapist will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• PT evaluates students through skilled professional observation, therapeutic handling, record review, and parent, student, and teacher interviews.  PTs interpret assessment findings and appropriately communicate information to parents and school teams through written and oral means. 

• The PT collaborates with the school team to develop Individualized Education Programs and Section 504 Plans to address the students’ unique needs

• Develops and implements individualized PT intervention strategies

• Collaborates with student, school team members, parents, community agencies, administrators, and physicians regarding effective coordination of services

• Collaborates with student, school team members, parents, community agencies, administrators, and physicians regarding transition from school to community, preparing student to function independently when outlined outcomes are achieved

• Documents all PT services provided within a timely manner as outlined by the Office of Special Education & Supports

• Evaluates and documents student progress in accordance with the IL PT Practice Act as well as school district, State and Federal policies

• Addresses needs for assistive technology, equipment, transportation, accessibility, environmental accommodations, and emergency evacuation for students with disabilities as required to access their educational environment through collaboration and participation with school staff

• Seeks regular opportunities for professional growth

• Participates clinical educational opportunities for students of physical therapy

• Adheres to professional, ethical and legal standards of practice as defined by the American Physical Therapy Association

• Provides direct supervision of physical therapy assistants in accordance with Illinois’ Physical Therapy Practice Act

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the temporary Physical Therapist must possess the following qualifications: 

Education Required:

• Bachelor, Master, or Doctoral degree in physical therapy from an accredited physical therapy program as approved by the APTA

• The PT must pass the national physical therapy licensure examination and hold a current and active Illinois license to practice as issued by the IL Department of Professional Regulations. This license must be renewed every two years upon payment on or before September 30th of each even numbered year. In addition, the IL PT practice act mandates 40 hours of continuing education per license renewal cycle. A Physical Therapist cannot provide PT services without a valid physician’s referral.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Should possess a myriad of skills, which would allow them to collect, analyze, and interpret data as a member of a team of professionals working consultatively and collaboratively 

• Potential applicants should also possess strong oral and written communication skills, which teams would ultimately use to fuel and maintain the most accurate and timely entries into an electronic database of the district’s choice

Conditions of Employment

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:

• Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency - Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district. The Chicago residency requirement does not apply to temporary/part-time positions; however, all CPS employees must be residents of Illinois.