Centralia-Physical Therapist 2024-25

Job Summary:

To provide, according to all special ed law and regulation, diagnostic evaluation and therapy to students ages 3-21; to function as a member of special education and related building teams; to maximize students’ functional levels for performance in the school setting

Required Qualifications:

• Possession of a valid Washington State Educational Staff Associate Certificate as a Physical Therapist
• Possession of a Washington State PT license.
• Develops, implements and coordinates the physical therapy program within the school program, including philosophy, vision, departmental procedures and goals.
• Develops physical management plan for daily classroom routines and train staff in its safe implementation.
• Knowledge of the identification process of students receiving special education services
• Current training and experience in assessment, IEP development and program implementation within the field of physical therapy
• Ability to provide purposeful, goal directed, developmentally sequenced activities to enhance the student’s potential for facilitating improvement of a student’s physical needs through the use of specially designed instruction and/or related service delivery models. 
• Collaborates with community-based therapists and other healthcare providers for effective coordination of service.
• Working knowledge of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) best practices
• Willingness to use district adopted curriculum and assessments
• Ability to communicate effectively, possess awareness (for self and others), listen actively, be patient, incorporate humor/lightheartedness into work, be empathic, possess a growth mindset, and be customer-service oriented
• Ability to support the District’s vision, mission, and goals including the belief that all students can succeed
• Ability to maintain a positive attitude
• Promotes collaboration between school administration, staff and parents for the purpose of maintaining effective, consistent and regular communication between all stakeholders
• Ability to team teach
• Familiarity with racial equity and inclusion frameworks
• Successful experience working with self-direction and a high degree of collaboration 
• Ability to act in an ethical and confidential manner in all aspects of employment 
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations
• Possession of organizational skills and flexibility to respond to changing student needs
• Ability to function in a calm, efficient, courteous manner under stress and to exercise careful judgment, confidentiality and tact in the performance of duties
• Ability to establish and maintain a professional relationship with students

Preferred Qualifications:

• At least two years of successful PT service provision in the school setting
• Additional training in pediatrics and neurodevelopmental therapy
• Ability to speak Spanish
• Experience working with students from diverse backgrounds

Essential Functions:

• Motivates, redirects student behavior, and interacts with students in a productive manner.
• Utilizes state and district assessments and standards in the planning and delivery of instruction
• Uses collaborative and evidenced‐based approaches to assist in the creation of IEPs to ensure that students receive skills targeted to their areas of identified need 
• Develops staff capacity and parent participation in data‐based decision making 
• Confers, counsels, trains and assists site administrators and school staff regarding specialized procedures and requirements 
• Conducts testing, interpret results, and participates with the multi-disciplinary teams in the identification of special education students
• Present information on various topics related to professional expertise in physical therapy for the purpose of communication information and gaining feedback on treatment issues
• Responds to inquiries from a variety of sources (e.g. other teachers, parents, administrators, etc.) around aspects of special education services
• Stays current on policies and laws related to special education
• Develops and maintains collaborative and transparent relationships with other district staff, families, and community partners.
• Completes all documentation as required by law or prescribed by the Executive Director of Special Services, including but not limited to IEPs, assessment documents, and progress reporting 
• Maintains timely and accurate student records, data, and reports
• Ability to work a flexible schedule and travel between buildings
• Ability to work with students in a self-contained setting
• Attends staff and other professional meetings as appropriate or directed
• Uses and integrate technology for communication and instruction
• Other duties as assigned

Salary:  $35,114.70 - $71,730.48, depending on experience and qualifications

Work schedule: 0.6 FTE (186 days per school year)

Benefits: 12 Sick leave and 3 personal leave days; health benefits including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and long-term disability insurance through SEBB; State retirement through DRS; other fringe benefits as allowed under the Centralia Education Association Collective Bargaining Agreement.