Physical Therapist - Substitute 

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 

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 heads. 

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 314-989-8299. 

 

SALARY 

Salary $36.00/hr 

 

EVALUATION 

The employee will be evaluated periodically.

 

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