Piper USD 203 has an anticipated opening for a Physical Therapist for the 25-26 school year. Interested applicants should complete the online application and include a letter of interest, resume, three current reference letters, and a copy of current license or transcripts. Position will remain open until filled.

Qualifications:

• Meets the employment qualifications set forth by the Board of Education and the Kansas State Department of Education.

• Maintain a professional attitude with families and staff.

• Holds or is eligible for certification by the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts

• Possess and utilize excellent interpersonal skills and professional judgment

• Demonstrate collaborative and consultative skills

Base salary: $57,320+ commensurate with experience and education based on the salary schedule in the Piper Teachers Association Negotiated Agreement. Full single health insurance paid. 

Job Goal: The School-Based Physical Therapist (PT) is responsible for assessing, planning, and implementing physical therapy services to support students with disabilities and motor impairments. The PT works collaboratively with educators, parents, and other related service providers to enhance student mobility, access to the educational environment, and overall physical function to promote academic success.

Essential Job Functions:

• Assessment & Evaluation

  • Conducts evaluations to determine students’ needs for school-based physical therapy services.
  • Interprets assessment results and develops individualized therapy plans aligned with students’ Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
  • Identifies functional limitations impacting students' access to and participation in their educational environment.

• Intervention & Treatment

  • Provides direct and consultative physical therapy services to students in accordance with IEP goals.
  • Designs and implements activities that enhance students’ mobility, coordination, balance, posture, and strength.
  • Recommends adaptive equipment, seating, and positioning strategies to optimize student participation in school activities.

• Collaboration & Consultation

  • Works closely with teachers, special education staff, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and other team members to support student progress.
  • Educates school staff on strategies to support student mobility and physical development in the classroom.
  • Communicates regularly with parents and caregivers regarding student progress and home-based strategies.

• Documentation & Compliance

  • Maintains accurate records of assessments, treatment plans, progress notes, and IEP reports.
  • Ensures compliance with federal, state, and district regulations regarding special education services.
  • Participates in IEP meetings and contributes to goal-setting and progress monitoring.

COMMUNICATION / ORGANIZATION: Maintains communication with school personnel, and parents/guardians to enhance cooperative action which will meet the educational needs of students.  Utilizes existing technology effectively in the performance of duties.

REASONING ABILITY:  Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.  Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. 

LANGUAGE SKILLS:  Ability to read and analyze and interpret general professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.  Ability to write reports, general curriculum and learning theories, correspondence, and protocols.  Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of administrators, staff, parents, students, and the general public. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk, stand and talk or hear. The employee must may be required to lift, transfer, or position students with mobility challenges. The employee must occasionally push items of 50 pounds such as pushing on a bike or wheelchair, or moving/rearranging furniture.  While performing the duties of the job the employee occasionally may visit a child’s home.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and depth perception. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud and is a standard acceptable level for this environment. Is directly responsible for students’ safety, work output and well-being.

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES:  Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory to instructional program; ability to plan and implement lessons based on division and school objectives and the needs and abilities of students.  Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, peers, parents and community; ability to speak clear and concisely in written or oral communication.

Equal Opportunity Employer