Physical Therapist (Eligibility Application)

Job Summary

As a Physical Therapist, you will provide physical therapy to children and young adults disabled through disease or injury, in accordance with prescriptions issued by a physician. Provides therapy either within the school for the orthopedically impaired, as an itinerant therapist, in schools with special classes for the multiple handicapped, licensed private facilities, or the residences of homebound students. Confers with parents, staff, and community and medical agencies to affect a comprehensive treatment program. 

PLEASE NOTE: Physical Therapists have, at least, three-steps to complete in order to determine eligibility.  First step is completion of this application to ensure minimum requirements are met,  the second step is a written exam that is to be scored, and lastly, an interview/ oral exam with members of the Office of Specialized Services (OSS). Once eligible, you will be contacted once a vacancy opens for hire.

Essential Functions

• Implements the therapeutic prescriptions issued by a physician.
• Directs and aides students in active and passive exercises, muscle re-education, and gait and functional training.
• Utilizes physical agents such as water, heat, light, and massage during the treatment process; employs mats, parallel bars, steps, Hubbard Tanks, infrared heat lamp and various other therapeutic modalities and equipment to facilitate physical and functional abilities.
• Utilizes exercise that involves the application of neurophysiologic theories and techniques.
• Instructs and assists students, parents, and school staff in the care and use of equipment including wheelchairs, braces, canes, crutches, and prosthetic devices.
• Evaluates equipment, checking for proper fit and maintenance.
• Adapts, designs or suggests special equipment as necessary and as the result of medical consultations.
• Evaluates, tests, and treats students orthopedically and multiple handicapped who have been referred by various sources including clinics, orthopedic consultants, and private physicians.
• Plans appropriate treatment programs, coordinating therapeutic services with activities in the classroom and in the home.
• Trains and retrains students through standard therapeutic procedures observing and recording their mental and physical responses.
• Adjusts length, frequency, and intensity of treatments to needs of the individual pupil.
• Consults with teachers, parents, paraprofessional's community agencies, and others appropriately concerned.
• Alerts school staff to necessary procedures, special precautions, and safety measures applicable to individual pupils and the student population as a whole.
• Encourages parents to have pupils utilize skills acquired in therapy.
• Demonstrates exercises, positioning and other procedures to be used in the home; as an itinerant therapist, visits students who are homebound or residing in licensed private facilities for the purposes of providing therapy.
• Compiles and maintains reports indicating status of individual pupils undergoing treatment, kinds of therapy administered and results obtained.
• Completes and submits timely and all required ACCESS billing reimbursement information.
• Performs related work as required.

NOTE: Salary is commensurate with experience in education and educational attainment.  Both prior experience and educational degree must go through the District's verification process in order for final salary to be confirmed.  Please click this link to read through the process and download the verification forms for your previous employer(s) to complete.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification.  They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

Nondiscrimination: The School District of Philadelphia provides to all persons equal access to all categories of employment in this District, regardless of race, color, age, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin or handicap/disability, gender identity, or genetic information. Please refer to Board Policy 104 for further information regarding the District's commitment to Nondiscrimination in Employment Practices.