SSD Retiree -Physical Therapist
REPORTS TO: Special Education Coordinator/Principal
DEPARTMENT: Student Services

POSITION OVERVIEW
Special School District’s (SSD) physical therapists are committed to providing the
treatments and strategies needed to support and empower students of all learning
abilities to excel to their greatest potential. As a physical therapist, you will champion
our mission by identifying and assessing physical limitations and providing the
intervention programs needed to ensure all students can participate fully and
successfully in their education and daily life. You will prioritize both their independence
and safety, working collaboratively with each student’s team to realize their success.
You should consider applying for this position if your values align with SSD's core
values of equity, commitment, and collaboration and you believe every student
deserves the resources and support required to help them learn. SSD staff are
expected to understand and have a deep commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and
accessibility, and for that commitment to be evident in their work.

CLASSIFICATION
Non-Exempt

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Evaluates students for physical limitations, developmental delays, self-help skills,
• functional daily living skills and adaptive equipment needs; and develops and
• administers educational programs based on evaluation results
• Interprets test and diagnostic findings to parents, teachers, students, and other
• entitled parties
• Provides training for educational staff and supervises programs conducted by
• educational staff
• Recommends or fabricates adaptive equipment for ADL (Activities of Daily Living) needs, for mobility, and for individualized classroom seating and positioning
• Monitors utilization of prosthetics, orthotics and adaptive appliances
• Provides home programs for parents/guardians when appropriate
• Participates in district and/or special interest meetings as appropriate
• Participates in continuing education and professional conferences and workshops to keep abreast of current treatment methods and to disseminate information to other disciplines
• Assists with orientation of new staff members
• Resource Utilization
• Maintains student records; prepares progress reports on student performance; prepares other reports as requested
• Maintains inventory of materials and supplies; submits requisitions as needed

Collaboration

• Participates in staffing, building meetings, parent programs and conferences; maintains professional relationships with students, colleagues, parents, and the general public
• Supervises physical (PTA) therapy assistants and clinical students
• Provides consultation to teachers, assistants and aides regarding individualized handling and positioning techniques, adaptive equipment, materials and programs as needed
• Serves on committees making recommendations to department head.

Compliance

• Provides written feedback on student progress to the IEP team and attends IEP and other student conferences when possible and develops individualized goals and objectives for assigned students

QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience

• Bachelors, masters, or clinical doctorate in physical therapy required
• Experience in pediatrics/school-based occupational/physical therapy preferred

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Missouri Physical Therapy License required

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Language Skills
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance
instructions, and policy and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and
correspondence. Ability to communicate effectively one-on-one and before groups.

Mathematical Skills
Ability to collect and graph skill programming and behavior data, add, subtract, multiply,
and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, decimals,
and percentages.

Reasoning Ability
Ability to problem-solve and apply common sense understanding to carry out
instructions furnished in written and/or oral diagram form.

Physical Requirements
While performing the duties and responsibilities of this job, the employee is regularly
required to talk and hear, stand, move and walk at a brisk pace, sit, and use hands and
arms to handle, feel and reach. The position requires the ability to accompany students
anywhere on school premises. The employee is occasionally required to stoop or kneel
and occasionally lift and move up to 50 pounds. Additionally, the employee must be
physically able to implement all Board of Education Policies, District procedures, and to
perform Nonviolent Crisis Intervention training and techniques. The employee must be
physically able to react and intervene quickly during crisis situations, such as but not
limited to the following circumstances: student elopement, physical altercations
involving students, or any situation that requires physical intervention to maintain
student safety. Yearly NCI training with participation in physical intervention strategies
is a requirement for the job.

Disclaimer
The information contained in this job description is not an exhaustive list of the duties
performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently
holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.

EEOC STATEMENT
Special School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will
receive consideration for the position applied for without regard to race, color, religion,
sex, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military/veteran
status, gender identity, gender expression, ancestry, genetic information, or any other
characteristics protected by law. To request an ADA Accommodation, please contact
our ADA Coordinator at 314-829-8206.

SALARY
Salary $36.00/hr

EVALUATION
The employee will be evaluated periodically.

Board Approved Date:September 2002
Revised:March 2022, November 2022