Physical Therapy Assistant

JOB MISSION:To provide physical therapy for students with disabilities to facilitate their progress toward goals stated in individual education plans. To provide consultation and support to staff assisting with therapeutic activities.REPORTS TO:Physical Therapist, Special Education Supervisor(s) and Director of Special EducationJOB GOAL:To provide physical therapy for students with disabilities to facilitate the student's progress towards the goals stated in an individual education plan.PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:Under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist:To provide consultation to teachers, educational assistants and other related staff regarding the delivery of physical therapy activities to children ages 3- 22To assist in providing training to staff so they may implement correct physical therapy activities throughout the day. To assist in the evaluation and recommendation of appropriate levels of therapy services for students.To assist in writing appropriate goals and objectives, as needed, for students individual education plans.To provide direct service to students, as appropriate, to meet individual physical therapy needs. Maintain confidentiality in school, home, and community settings as mandated by Massachusetts Regulations.Such other duties as may be assigned.*NOTE: Includes summer school PT sessions, scheduled for approximately five weeks--from the first Monday after the Fourth of July through the first week of August. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:NONE

Job Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS:1.Associates degree in physical therapy.2.Valid license to practice in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.3.Successful experience as a physical therapist in public schools, collaborative, hospital, or clinic settings.4Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the School Committee or its designee find appropriate and acceptable.PHYSICAL DEMANDS:Physical demands are a way of describing the physical activities that a job requires.Strength: Light-lifting, 40 pounds maximum with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 20 pounds.Key:Occasionally (O)Up to 1/3 of the timeFrequently (F)From 1/3 to 2/3 of the timeConstantly (C)2/3 of the time or moreStanding:(F)Sitting:(O)Walking:(F)Lifting:(O)Reaching(F) Extending the hand(s) and arm(s) in any directionHandling(F) Seizing, holding, grasping, turning or otherwise work with hand(s)Fingering (F) Picking, pinching, or otherwise working with fingers primarilyTalking (F) Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken wordHearing (C) Perceiving the nature of sounds by the airNear Acuity(C) Clarity of vision at 20 inches or lessFar Acuity (C) Clarity of vision at 20 feet or moreColor Vision (F) Ability to identify and distinguish colorsField of Vision(C) Observing an area that can be seen up and down or right and left when eyes are fixed on a given point.WORK ENVIRONMENT: Environmental conditions are a means of describing the physical surroundings of a worker in a specific job. This position is performed in a school setting where the environmental conditions should have no effect on how the job is performed.Noise: Level 3 Moderate level of intensity.TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: Per the Longmeadow Education Association Agreement - Unit E