Job Summary

The Physical Therapist working in Early Intervention will provide physical therapy services in a professional manner in accordance with approved methods and standards of practice, adhering to the Guidelines of the American Physical Therapy Association. This includes:

• Physical therapy is one of the early intervention services under Part C of IDEA
• Physical therapy may be the only early intervention service a child needs, or it may be part of a coordinated, multidisciplinary program.
• Physical therapy is provided as part of the child’s Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP), through a family-centered care philosophy.
• Physical therapy can support families in promoting their children’s development, learning, and participation in family and community life.
• Physical therapists use their knowledge and skills specifically related to motor planning and development, self-care function, assistive technology, and medical/health care science to provide a unique contribution to the IFSP team.
• Physical therapists provide service by collaborating with the team, exchanging information with the family, and integrating interventions into everyday routines, activities, and locations.

Qualifications

• Physical therapists are graduates of CAPTE accredited physical therapy degree programs.
• Physical therapist will hold Connecticut state licensure and will maintain CEU requirements required for updated CT licensure.
• Physical therapist must be aware of many legislative and regulatory provisions related to IDEA and have strong base in early childhood development.
• Therapist must have a valid driver’s license and willingness to drive to diverse areas and neighborhoods, in order to service, but never transport, families.
• Able to pass health screening , PPD for tuberculosis, and background check; and have annual PPD
• A minimum of two years experience in treatment of babies and children with developmental disabilities including neurological, orthopedic, and social emotional is preferred.

Physical and Sensory Demands

• Present with clean, professional dress, in compliance with dress code.
• Throughout the therapist’s day, be able to negotiate oneself in a variety of positions, including sitting and crawling on the floor, climbing flights of stairs and playground equipment, lifting up to 40 pounds, to be able to move, support, and position children in their natural environment.
• Be able to mobilize oneself within the office, children’s homes, and in the community, in a safe and time efficient manner.
• Communication skills: Be able to speak, hear, observe, read and write in order to communicate effectively and efficiently, with all team members.
• Exercise good judgment to implement safe conduct while in the home and community with families.

Position Responsibilities

• Provide evaluation, treatment, and follow-up services to children with, or at risk for developmental delays and their families to promote development and lessen the effect of the condition.
• Develop an IFSP with the family, develop strategies and program to achieve family’s identified goals.
• Provide services in natural environments, including home and community settings, in which children without disabilities participate.
• Embed therapeutic strategies into families’ routines, irrespective of where they’re occurring.
• Provide coordination, communication, documentation, and patient/client instruction.
• Using a coaching model, teach strategies to parents and/or caretakers, and other service providers.
• Consult with parents, other service providers, and medical and school representatives to ensure effective delivery of service.
• Participate in transdisciplinary evaluations and assessments of child and child’s family, to determine eligibility, progress, and program planning.
• Assess assistive technology needs, place orders, and write letters of justification, as per CT Birth to Three protocol, to support achievement of goals identified in the IFSP.
• Promote teamwork through communication, collaboration, conflict resolution, and professional development.
• Function as a service coordinator after 6 months employment and appropriate CT Birth to Three training. Therapist will be able to organize, process, and coordinate all B23 and RAC/ABC evaluation, requirements of the IFSP, transition, and exit.
• Manage caseload and time so as to complete all regular visits and paperwork within a time efficient manner.
• Strive to achieve 75% billable productivity.

Underlying Responsibilities

• Executes policies and procedures , Inc
• Resolves situation-specific conflicts in own schedule, between parent’s schedule and therapist(s) schedules, and resolves creatively.
• Maintains up to date knowledge of practices and skills in the profession of Early Intervention and share info form courses attended, with staff.
• Remains flexible in ability to convey information to staff, and families with varying educational, verbal comprehension and developmental levels.
• Maintain professional demeanor when communicating with staff, and families; considering individual’s educational, verbal comprehension and developmental levels.
• Exhibit sensitivity to family’s culture when interacting with them in their home and making recommendations.
• Collect data which represents measurable progress toward objective achievement.

Ethical

• Maintain standards of personal conduct in accordance with the current APTA Code of Ethics”.
• Maintains strict confidentiality of patient, staff and information.
• Promotes adoption of the highest standards of ethical behavior by all staff through appropriate personal behavior in all situations.
• Promptly advises the Director of Early Intervention Programs of any compromises or conflicts-of-interest possibly affecting ethical conduct of individual staff.

Environmental

The tasks of this job may involve exposure to blood and body fluids, requiring universal precautions be taken.

Professional Development

• Promote self growth by attending continuing education.
• Participate in annual performance review process, for feedback, support and personal goal establishment.
• Attend continuing education offered by RAC and demonstrate competency of skills learned.

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Opportunities for advancement
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Tuition reimbursement