PHYSICAL THERAPIST - TEMPORARY (3/16/26 - 5/28/26)

Deadline: March 31, 2026

District/Organization: St. Joseph County ISD

Position/Type: Other, full time

Salary: $51,959 – $95,377

Position Details

POSITION GOAL:

Physical Therapy is considered a supportive service to the educational system. We see children on a direct (scheduled) or indirect (consultative) basis, as recommended by the IEPC. All therapy goals must be relevant to the student academic program. Areas associated with physical therapy include mobility/gait, transfer skills, component of movement, adaptations in the physical environment, adaptation of equipment, affective needs. The therapist implements high quality physical therapy services for students in accordance with the principles and practices of physical therapy. Provide quality treatment to enhance school performance while maintaining a positive level of interaction with teachers and family.

QUALIFICATIONS:

The employee must:

• Be a graduate of an accredited school of physical therapy.

• Hold a certificate for Physical Therapy.

• Hold a valid state license.

• Maintain infant, child and adult CPR/AED and first aid certification.

• Responsibility of employee to obtain and maintain all training(s), certificate(s), approval(s), etc. and provide documentation to the business office before expiration date of said document(s).

• Required to have a physical presence at the designated job site each scheduled work day.

Must have regular and reliable job attendance, performance, and the physical ability to do the job.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Optimizes the functional abilities and skills of students by performing in the following activities:

a. Evaluating and treating directly or indirectly all students who qualify for treatment related to their educational program.

b. Appropriately documenting progress toward identified objectives.

c. Communication of student status and needs to the students, the student’s family, teachers, and other professionals.

d. Maintain therapy files on each child which include student data, goals and objectives, and progress/assessment reports.

e. Schedule children according to times listed on the child’s IEPC.

f. Be familiar with school forms and procedures.

g. Keep student attendance/Medicaid records.

h. Evaluate equipment needs and complete documentation including letters of medical necessity.

2. Builds a strong therapy practice within each school/home by performing the following activities:

a. Establishing and maintaining courteous and helpful interaction patterns with students, teachers and families which reflects sensitivity to individual needs and a problem-solving approach.

b. Educating teachers, other professionals, and family members about physical therapy.

c. Directing the activities of PTA in a manner which reflects an understanding the job functions and facilitates their development.

d. Attending IEPC’s and necessary meetings on a consistent basis.

e. Establishing and maintaining a good working relationship with teachers and other professionals and colleagues in the community.

f. Making appropriate referrals to other members of the educational support team.

g. Developing and implementing new programs/techniques to enhance physical therapy services.

h. Adhering to established school policies and procedures related to environmental safety, orderliness, risk management, infection control, emergency situations and family right to privacy.

3. Continue professional development.

REQUIRED PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

• Ability to lift students using appropriate biomechanical techniques frequently throughout the course of seven (7) hour day; must be capable of easily lifting forty (40) pounds dead weight alone.

• Work endurance ability to walk, bend, stand and reach repeatedly during a seven (7) hour day.

• Visual acuity (near and distant) sufficient to evaluate, diagnose and monitor student needs, maintain accurate records, recognize people and provide and understand written directions.

• Ability to speak and hear sufficiently to understand and give directions.

• Ability to push wheeled equipment throughout the schools and in the community.

• Fine motor skills for legible and accurate writing of reports, charting, scheduling, daily correspondence and presentations, either manually or through use of dictation equipment.

• Fine motor skills for effective and efficient handling of diagnostic or therapeutic equipment.

• Demonstrate sufficient computer knowledge and skills necessary for electronic record keeping.

• Work as a team with other professionals to pursue and meet individual goals and objectives.

• Work cooperatively with other ISD and local district staff, parents and community service agencies, as needed.

Collaborate with parents, multidisciplinary evaluation team members, school administrators, and other community agencies to develop an accurate understanding of a student’s disability and the impact of the disability on student’s educational performance.

REQUIRED COGNITIVE AND PSYCHOSOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS:

• Exhibits positive personal, professional and work ethic and high motivation through consistent demonstration of professional work behavior.

• Consistently demonstrates cooperative behavior by remaining flexible and exhibiting a positive team spirit.

• Possesses highly developed communication and problem-solving skills.

Performs other duties as assigned by the St. Joseph County ISD Administration.

REPORTS TO: Special Education Supervisor

PERFORMANCE APPRAISALS: Special Education Supervisor

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: Salary for this position is based on the IEA Master Agreement

We offer Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance on the first day of employment, cash in lieu, if you have Medical Insurance coverage ($643.18 paid out monthly), Life Insurance and State Retirement.

**This is a temporary position, 3/16/26-5/28/26, considered a full time position during the temporary placement.

E-mail: [email protected]