High Desert ESD celebrates all cultures and languages and is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive considerations for employment without regards to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

Physical Therapist - for Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education Program

32 hours per week, Monday-Friday, 189 day contract

Location: Alyce Hatch Center - Evaluation team, Bend, OR

Salary Range: As established by bargaining agreement, 2023-24 Licensed Salary Schedule (based on experience and education). *Pending updated salary schedule for 2024-25

Benefits include family insurance package, sick leave, paid holidays, tuition reimbursement benefit, generous PERS contributions.

Definition Under general supervision, the PT assesses and provides direct, indirect and consultative physical therapy to identified children in seven counties served by Central Oregon Regional Program (CORP) and High Desert ESD. Assist with postural and gross motor development such as head control, sitting, and standing balance. Assist with gait training and functional mobility for maximum independence within the educational environment. Facilitate wheelchair mobility, transfer skills, and positioning. Improve strength and coordination and prevention of deformity. Evaluate adaptive equipment needs and the planning and construction of equipment adapted to a student’s abilities, particularly for positioning and mobility such as fitting wheelchairs, prone boards, and monitoring braces and prosthesis.

Qualifications Possess a valid Oregon Physical Therapy license. Successful experience as a therapist with demonstrated ability to relate and collaborate effectively with parents and educational staff is desirable. Experience in pediatric Physical Therapy is strongly preferred. A Bachelors Degree in Physical Therapy from an accredited college or university approved by the Council of Medical Education of the American Medical Association in collaboration with the American Physical Therapy Association is required. The ability to perform significant reaching, bending, stooping, crouching and lifting 50 pounds is expected. Must have access to reliable transportation, and consistent attendance is required. Applicants must have successful experience in working with culturally diverse families and communities, and/or have otherwise demonstrated a commitment to equity and strengthening engagement of a diverse community and skill in communicating with a diverse population.

Classification Licensed

Reports To Director Special Programs and Services or designee

Performance Responsibilities

1. Demonstrate knowledge of:
   1. a. Etiology, characteristics and prognosis of major handicapping conditions
   2. b. Variety of treatment techniques, knowing indications and contraindications
   3. c. Normal developmental sequences and learning patterns
   4. d. The role of a PT in the educational setting and the ability to explain that role to others
2. Conduct and interpret PT evaluations
3. Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team, consult with education staff, and direct a Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (LPTA) if necessary
4. Develop appropriate treatment plans
5. Evaluate student needs and progress
6. Support and maintain school and district policies, and successfully plan and complete assigned responsibilities within identified resources and time lines
7. Work successfully in a team setting
8. Work in the trans-disciplinary model of EIECSE
9. Develop an Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) or Individual Education Program (IEP) for each student in the area of PT and participate in IFSP/IEP meetings
10. Implement therapy programs to meet IFSP/IEP goals
11. Monitor and evaluate therapy programs using observation, data and/or pre/post testing; design and teach motor programs to be implemented by parents, teachers or assistants, and train appropriate personnel
12. Collect and record data on therapy programs
13. Manage student behavior during therapy
14. Work cooperatively and communicate appropriately with parents, teaching and support staff
15. Order, use and maintain appropriate materials and equipment
16. May be required to bill for Medicaid reimbursement dependent upon licensure and specific services provided within the scope of the position
17. Monitor and report student performance and progress
18. Consistently focus on personal safety while home visiting; seek information and advice from collaborating partners regarding personal safety
19. Communicate appropriately and regularly through email
20. Assist students in standing, walking, sitting, etc; ability to lift or move up to 50 pounds
21. Respect and maintain confidential information in all situations
22. Fulfill other related duties as assigned

Terms of Employment A one-year contract renewable annually by the Board of Directors, under the terms and conditions of the statutes and Administrative rules of the State of Oregon, conditioned upon successful evaluations and the employee’s maintenance of a current, valid teaching credential. Salary and benefits are established by policy and collective bargaining agreement.