POSITION TITLE (Oracle title)

LEAD PHYSICAL THERAPIST (PT)

WORKING TITLE

Lead Physical Therapist  

SCHOOL/DEPARTMENT

Special Education Services (SES)

LOCATION

Crossroads II, Cary, NC

PAY GRADE

Occupational Therapists and Physical Therapists Salary Schedule

FLSA STATUS

Exempt

ELIGIBILITY FOR EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT

No

WORK WEEK SCHEDULE

Monday-Friday (occasional evenings and weekends)

POSITION PURPOSE:

Develops, cultivates, and implements a vision for physical therapy services which supports students with disabilities, students who are identified as requiring accommodations (504), and general education students as part of the Multi- Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) process that aligns with the mission, vision, and core beliefs of the Wake County Public School Systems’ (WCPSS) Strategic Plan. Provides leadership in Special Education Services regarding provision of PT services and to effectively develop and coordinate PT programs and services in collaboration with Office of Student Service including Intervention and Prevention, Office of Early Learning, Health Safety Department, School Nursing, Transportation, and Office of Academics.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES (KSAs)

• Extensive knowledge of School Based Physical Therapy practice, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) policy and procedure, 504 Policy and Procedure, Common Core State Standards, Extended Common Core State Standards and WCPSS curriculum implementation regarding these standards;
• Considerable knowledge of Microsoft Office, specifically Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point; Google Apps;
• Ability to lead and motivate staff;
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both in oral and written form using a variety of communication techniques and tools to ensure the appropriate flow of information, collaborative efforts, and feedback; excellent public speaking and presentation skills;
• Ability to collect, interpret, and analyze student, therapist, and teacher performance data in order to generate effective courses of action;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships, and build consensus with school administrators, teachers, support staff, central services administrators and staff, physical therapists, and parents.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE

• Have successfully completed and graduated from an accredited PT professional program and have current licensure in North Carolina as recognized by the North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners;
• Five years of experience as a public school system PT;
• Leadership experience in assessing student needs; planning, developing, and implementing programs; evaluating program effectiveness; and in designing and conducting professional staff development.

CERTIFICATION AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

• Current license by the North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners;
• Must hold and maintain a valid motor vehicle operator’s license according to the State of NC requirements.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Background in pediatric physical therapy services.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

In addition to the work, performance responsibilities, and qualifications of staff physical therapists, the Lead PT Specialist also performs the following functions:

1. Develops goals and practices for physical therapy services in accordance with WCPSS and Special Education Services strategic plans, goals, mission, and vision.
2. Directly coordinates and supervises PT services:
   1. Develops guidelines and procedures for implementation of evidence-based practice of physical therapy within WCPSS which align with strategic plan and initiatives.
   2. Based on caseload data and best practice, determines program and physical therapy staffing needs
   3. Coordinates recruiting, recommending, and orienting of new physical therapy team members.
   4. Performs mid-year and annual staff evaluations, including site visits.
   5. Coordinates disciplinary process of physical therapy team members.
   6. Based on student, school, and system data, assigns PTs to provide services at schools, to home/hospital students, to preschool itinerant students, and to perform other required activities such as participation on preschool diagnostic teams, provision of professional development activities, mentoring, etc.
   7. Provides clinical support, mentorship, access to needed resources, and advocacy for physical therapy team members.
   8. Coordinates PT clinical affiliation programs.
   9. Stays abreast of current research and best practices in the field of physical therapy within the educational setting.
   10. Coordinates PT district wide Professional Learning Teams and staff meetings.
   11. Facilitates implementation of Professional learning teams within the PT department.
   12. Facilitates and supervises PTs development of professional learning objectives (growth plan) and projects.
   13. Facilitates PTs continuing educational activities to ensure alignment with strategic plan and licensure maintenance required for Medicaid reimbursement.
   14. Communicates district and special education services initiatives, strategic plan, and goals to all PTs to facilitate alignment.
   15. Reviews therapists’ documentation to ensure that documentation meets the North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy, Department of Public Instruction (DPI), and Medicaid guidelines.
   16. Coordinates Extended School Year (ESY) PT services.
   17. Reviews evaluations and participates in Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings for preschool and school age students who attend contracted sites such as developmental day centers to ensure service recommendations are educationally relevant.
   18. Reviews, monitors, and processes monthly travel reimbursement from PTs.
   19. Reviews and monitors leave procedures and requests by PTs.
   20. Provides services and evaluations for students, on an as needed basis.
   21. Attends Special Education and Related Services team meetings and communicates information as appropriate to staff on the PT team.
3. Collects, interprets, and uses data and research to establish best practice for implementation of effective PT services within WCPSS as required under IDEA and Section 504 and MTSS processes.
   1. Collects data and evaluates PT program effectiveness.
   2. Collects and interprets data to prioritize practice issues and to modify practice and develop departmental goals with staff PTs.
   3. Collects and interprets data to develop effective student support collaboratively with PT staff, Special Education Services and school personnel.
   4. Collaborates with Office of Early Learning, Intervention and Prevention, Healthy Safety Director, Child Nutrition Services, School Nursing, 504 Director, Office of Academics, and Transportation to develop procedures and professional development.
   5. Collaborates and coordinates with DPI PT consultant.
   6. Collects, reviews and reports data regarding PT caseload, workload, and service provision, as related, to strategic plan, student achievement, DPI requirements-class size, preschool grant, etc.
   7. Collects and reports data on PT caseload/workload to provide information for budget business cases regarding needs for physical therapy staffing.
   8. Identifies and facilitates development of professional development activities to support PTs knowledge and skills and to inform teachers’ knowledge of classroom strategies.
4. Based on data, develops budget for PT personnel, supplies and materials, professional development activities, and student equipment in collaboration with supervisor.
   1. Based on usage, student population, orders intervention supplies, student equipment, test protocols, program supplies, and any other supporting materials.
   2. Maintains relationship with vendors who provide supplies and services.
   3. Develops effective inventory management system to ensure efficient use of supplies and cost effectiveness of material budget.
   4. Determines focus of professional development activities and determine equitable method of PTs being reimbursed for approved professional development activities.
5. Determines need for contractual PT services based on data of student needs.
   1. Solicits contractual services for PT services.
   2. Negotiates and develops contracts for PTs with vendors.
   3. Reviews and monitors contracted PT service provision.
   4. Reviews and monitors invoices for contracted PT services.
6. Serves as a consultant to the Mealtime Support Team (MST) to develop processes for PT staff involvement on the MST assessing student’s needs requiring adaptive positioning/equipment.
7. Serves as a consultant for best practices for transportation services for students with disabilities.
   1. Provides case-specific information relative to a student’s diagnosis and/or adaptive equipment (wheelchair securements/ occupant restraints,) that is to be used for safe transportation of student to/from school.
   2. Serves as a resource to Transportation Task Force for development of best practices and trainings for transportation personnel in the transport of preschoolers and students with disabilities.
   3. Leads/advises PT staff in problem solving and reporting concerns relative to safe transportation practices for caseload students.
8. Serves as the representative for the Special Education Services department in facility planning reviews/meetings to provide information relative to accessibility issues and planning for program needs.
   1. Reviews plans with facility planners to collaborate regarding Special Education Services suite and adaptive kitchen-restroom facilities to be sure they meet required specifications.
   2. Assists schools with facility modification requests to provide accessibility and ensure safety for students with special needs on school campuses and playgrounds.
   3. Reviews plans with facility planners for collaboration regarding accessibility for students with disabilities.
   4. Collaborates with Special Education Services administrators regarding programming needs for specialized equipment and classroom locations.
9. Performs other related duties, as assigned.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This job operates in a professional office and school environments. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, scanners, and copiers. The position, at times, must be able to come into direct contact with school system staff, students, families, service providers and the community. Physical ability to execute job responsibilities may include transferring and/or lifting students or equipment, managing equipment. Work is considered heavy physical work, requiring the exertion of up to 40 pounds of force. The work frequently requires driving automotive equipment.

EFFECTIVE DATE:  10/2023

DISCLAIMER:  The above statements are intended to describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this position.  They are not intended to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required by the employees assigned to this position.  This description may be revised by HR and approved at any time.