Physiotherapist

Department of Education Victoria; Penrith; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Education Victoria – Nepean School in Penrith NSW is seeking a physiotherapist to join our passionate, transdisciplinary team. The role is full-time during school terms, offering therapy in classrooms and real environments, with supervision and group-based delivery alongside teachers.

Suitable for graduates or experienced clinicians committed to learning and sharing knowledge. You will work with children aged 5–18 years with physical disabilities, supporting gross motor

Qualifications

• Experience in paediatric physiotherapy within educational settings.
• Ability to support students with physical disability in school activities.
• Proven communication and collaboration with teachers and families.

Responsibilities

• Provide classroom-based physiotherapy focusing on gross motor development.
• Prescribe and use assistive devices and equipment as needed.
• Collaborate with therapy and teaching teams to plan student programs.
• Deliver therapy in authentic environments such as yard, classroom, and community.
• Participate in professional development and peer learning.

Skills

Paediatric physio

Gait training

Aquatics therapy

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Time management

Tools

AAC knowledge

Job description

Department of Education Victoria – Penrith NSW

2d ago , from Department of Education & Training Victoria

The passionate and supportive physiotherapy team at Nepean School are looking for a new member to join our team. You may be a graduate or experienced clinician; the most important thing is that you are willing to learn and share your knowledge! The position is full time, 5 days per week, during school terms.

Nepean School is a government school for students aged 5-18 years and caters for students who have a physical disability and/or significant health impairment. We are passionate about education and learning opportunities for everyone, regardless of challenges they may face. Our students engage with therapy in the classroom as part of their education program.

As a member of our team, you can gain exposure to a broad range of paediatric conditions including cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida, epilepsy, hypermobility disorders, autism spectrum disorder and a variety of genetic conditions. You will also develop skills suitable for working in a variety of special needs areas.

At Nepean School we strongly believe that the best outcomes arise from teamwork, and that is reflected in our commitment to working in a transdisciplinary team. Nepean School has an extensive therapy team, made up of experienced physiotherapists, occupational therapists, music therapists, and speech pathologists. We work closely within our transdisciplinary team, consisting of therapists, teachers, education support staff, psychologists, nurses, families, and of course, the students themselves. We work together to design and implement engaging learning and therapeutic programs to support our students and their families to reach their goals.

Selection Criteria

KSC1: A knowledge of the use and application of a wide range of interventions to assist children with a physical disability to participate in school-based activities; including aquatics, gross motor programs, bike riding and complex positioning. KSC2: An understanding and commitment to using adaptive equipment to support participation and engagement across the school environment. KSC3: Demonstrated exemplary communication and interpersonal skills when working with students, families, colleagues, and other professionals. KSC4: Demonstrated capacity to work effectively in collaboration with therapy and teaching teams to devise programs that establish and extend a student's functional movement skills in a range of contexts. KSC5: Highly developed organisational skills with a demonstrated ability to work independently, utilise effective time management strategies, establish priorities and meet deadlines.

Role

We pride ourselves on our ongoing commitment to learning and teamwork. This position offers:

• Paediatric and aquatics physiotherapy experience.
• Ongoing clinical supervision from senior Physiotherapist.
• All therapy delivered within a group-based model alongside teachers.
• Provision of therapy to students in real, authentic environments such as in the yard, mealtimes, in the classroom and in the community.
• Weekly therapy specific peer-peer learning program (professional development, case studies, peer reviewing articles).
• Opportunities to learn Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) (e.g. PODD, Key Word Sign/Auslan, electronic communication devices).
• Generous annual leave provided during school holidays.
• Continuity of care (the same caseload across the whole school year).

As part of the Nepean School team, you will be working closely with Teaching, Education Support and therapy staff to provide regular class-based physiotherapy sessions to our students. These sessions have a focus on gross motor development, and may include aspects of gait training, hydrotherapy, bike riding skills, sports skills, positioning, targeted exercises, and prescription of therapeutic equipment, such as standing frames, walking frames, wheelchairs and orthoses.

Responsibilities

• work with students and their teams to assess students access to their learning and create functional goals.
• support students to reach their gross motor goals and participate in all areas of day-to-day school life
• use your knowledge of assistive technology to prescribe therapeutic equipment such as postural supports, wheelchairs and alternative seating.
• learn about other therapy disciplines, apply them to your practice, and share your knowledge with your team.
• participate in Student Support Groups and other planning meetings to share your expertise.

Who May Apply

Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfill the specific requirements of the position.

Diversity and Inclusion

The department is committed to diversity and inclusion and developing a workforce that is representative of the community we service. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - culture, gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQA+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for roles within the Department. The Department recognises that the provision of safe, respectful and inclusive workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work and diversity across all schools and Department workplaces. It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for staff with disability (seeWorkplace adjustment guidelines).

Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander candidates from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via*******@education.vic.gov.au

Applicants seeking part-time employment are encouraged to apply for any teaching service position and, if they are the successful candidate, request a reduced time fraction. Such requests will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis and will be subject to the operational requirements of the school.

Child Safe Standards

Victorian government schools are child safe environments. Our schools actively promote the safety and wellbeing of all students, and all school staff are committed to protecting students from abuse or harm in the school environment, in accordance with their legal obligations including child safe standards. All schools have a Child Safety Code of Conduct consistent with the department's exemplar available at:

https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/child-safe-standards/policy

DE Values

The department's employees commit to upholding the department's Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. The department's Values complement each school's own values and underpin the behaviours the community expects of Victorian public sector employees,including those who work in Victorian Government Schools. Information on the department values is available at:

https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/values-department-vps-school-employees/overview

Conditions of Employment

• All staff employed by the Department and schools have access to a broad range of employment conditions and working arrangements.
• Appointment of successful applicants will be made subject to a satisfactory pre-employment conditions check.
• A probationary period may apply during the first year of employment and induction and support programs provided.
• Detailed information on all terms and conditions of employment is available on the Department's Human Resources website at https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal