Academy Physical Therapist

Lauren's Institute for Education; Gilbert (AZ); On-site; USD 72,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health | Vision | Dental

401K/Roth Retirement Plans

Paid holidays

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Lauren's Institute for Education in Arizona seeks a supervisory therapist to evaluate learners, develop and monitor ILP goals, and coordinate interdisciplinary treatment within licensed practice. You will provide consultation, classroom supports, and group programming across academy settings to promote participation and functional outcomes.

We offer a benefits-rich environment with 10-month contract, paid holidays, health/dental/vision, retirement plans, wellness program, and professional

Qualifications

• Graduate degree or doctoral degree in the applicable therapy discipline from an accredited program.
• Current Arizona licensure (or license eligible) and maintenance of required certifications.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate learners using assessments, observation, and clinical judgment for supervisor duties.
• Develop, implement, monitor, and revise educational supports and therapeutic interventions.
• Provide consultation, classroom-based supports, and group programming.
• Integrate therapeutic strategies to support participation and functional performance.
• Maintain schedules, provide coaching and observation to academy staff.
• Complete required documentation including progress reports and billing.
• Communicate with families, educational staff, medical providers, and teams.
• Develop and deliver staff training and discipline-specific education.
• Support adaptive equipment, technology, and environmental modifications.
• Supervise assistants, students, interns, or trainees as applicable.

Skills

Clinical reasoning

Organizational skills

Written communication

Verbal communication

Interpersonal skills

Presentation skills

Team collaboration

Education

Graduate degree or doctoral degree in therapy discipline

Tools

Microsoft Office

EMR systems

Educational documentation platforms

Job description

Make a Real Impact Every Day!

At Lauren’s Institute for Education (L.I.F.E.), we believe in empowering individuals with developmental disabilities through education, support, and compassion.

Why You’ll Love Working at L.I.F.E.:

Salary: $80,0000 10-month contract

L.I.F.E. provides a robust benefits package, including:

L.I.F.E. observes scheduled Spring, Fall, and Winter breaks. Pay during these designated closure periods is based on employee tenure and eligibility.

• First year of employment: unpaid scheduled breaks
• After 1 year of employment: eligible for 50% scheduled break pay
• Beginning in year 4 and beyond: eligible for 100% scheduled break pay

Eligibility and payment are subject to L.I.F.E.’s policies and applicable employment status.

• Health | Vision | Dental
• Be part of a team with an important mission to help people with disabilities
• 12 paid holidays (Paid after 90 days)
• 2 weeks of Paid Time Off (3 weeks after completion of 2 years)
• Wellness Program (stay healthy, earn rewards, discounts on insurance premiums)
• 401K/Roth Retirement Plans
• Performance and attendance bonuses
• Annual longevity bonuses based on organization profitability
• Employee Assistance Program (free counseling and other assistance)
• Partial Paid FMLA
• Professional development opportunities
• Inhouse trainings
• Discounts on degrees through partnership with Capella University
• Learn from different disciplines
• As a non-profit 501c-3, LIFE may qualify you for student loan forgiveness.
• Employee appreciation
• Birthday gift, monthly cupcakes for all staff
• Employment anniversary recognition every year, special gifts at 1, 3, 5, 10 and 15 years
• Employee of the month for each department. Recognition, gift, personalized parking space for the month
• All staff celebrations (close center, fun staff social activities)
• Monday football treats for all staff
• Free work shirts including a special department spirit shirt
• Beautiful 10-acre facility with multiple specialty environments
• Departmental budgets used to buy what staff want (e.g., food, ET, supplies
• USA Today Top Workplace 2025
• 3rd Place Winner – Phoenix Business Journal’s 2024 Healthiest Employer Award (Small Business Category)

Key Responsibilities:

• Evaluate learners using standardized assessments, observation, interviews, record review, and clinical judgment to determine strengths, needs, and areas for intervention when acting in a Supervisory role for any assigned assistants.
• Develop, implement, monitor, and revise, educational supports, consultative recommendations, and therapeutic interventions within the therapist's licensed scope of practice, ensuring alignment with transdisciplinary goals and learner outcomes.
• Provideconsultation, classroom-based supports, and group programming based on learner and organizational needs.
• Integrate therapeutic strategies into Academy environments to support participation, independence, communication, motor skills, sensory regulation, and functional performance while promoting generalization across environments.
• Maintain classroom schedules and provide structured and informal observations, coaching, modeling, and consultation to academy staff to ensure carryover of therapeutic strategies.
• Provide short-term individual consultative support and targeted interventions when clinically indicated to address emerging needs.
• Assist with development, implementation, and ongoing monitoring of ILP goals associated with designated discipline and transdisciplinary treatment objectives.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret data to evaluate progress, inform clinical decision‑making, adjust interventions, and complete all required documentation, including daily reflections, progress reports, clinical records, and billing documentation, as applicable.
• Maintain ongoing communication and collaboration with families, caregivers, educational staff, medical providers, and interdisciplinary teams to ensure coordinated care.
• Participate in ILP meetings, case reviews, consultations, and required organizational meetings, contributing clinical insight and recommendations.
• Develop and deliver staff training, professional development, and discipline‑specific education to enhance staff competency and consistency of implementation.
• Provide consultation on adaptive equipment, assistive technology, environmental modifications, and therapeutic supports, including assessment, implementation, staff training, and follow‑up monitoring.
• Utilize therapeutic and behavior support strategies consistent with organizational expectations and individualized behavior support plans.
• Follow all organizational policies, professional standards, payer requirements, licensing regulations, and applicable laws.
• Complete required trainings, fidelity assessments, continuing education, and maintain licensure and certifications.
• Ensure incidents are documented, reported, and followed up on according to organizational policy and regulatory requirements.
• Supervise assistants, students, interns, or trainees as applicable and consistent with licensure requirements.
• Serve as a clinical resource through education, mentoring, consultation, and support to staff and team members.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives, program development, and organizational projects to enhance service delivery.
• Maintain ethical and professional standards and perform duties safely.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduate degree or doctoral degree, as required by the applicable therapy discipline, from an accredited educational program.
• Current Arizona licensure (or license eligible, if permitted) in the applicable therapy discipline and maintenance of all required professional certifications consistent with the position.
• Knowledge of applicable federal and state laws, licensing regulations, ethical standards, payer requirements, educational practices, and professional standards governing therapy services.
• Experience working with children and/or adults with developmental disabilities preferred; equivalent pediatric or clinical experience may be considered.
• Current Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card.
• Current CPR, First Aid, and Article 9 certification, or the ability to obtain within the required timeframe.
• Understanding of developmental milestones, social skill deficits, maladaptive behaviors, evidence-based therapeutic interventions, and collaborative interdisciplinary service delivery.
• Strong clinical reasoning, organizational, written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with interdisciplinary teams while exercising sound clinical judgment, maintaining professional boundaries, and promoting positive learner outcomes.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience providing therapy services within pediatric, educational, developmental disability, home, community‑based, or interdisciplinary settings.
• Experience developing and implementing treatment plans, Individual Learning Plan (ILP) goals, classroom supports, and consultative service models.
• Experience conducting evaluations, standardized assessments, documentation, billing, payer authorization requirements, and progress reporting.
• Experience providing classroom consultation, staff coaching, professional development, or discipline‑specific training.
• Experience supervising therapy assistants, students, interns, or clinical trainees, consistent with professional licensure requirements.
• Knowledge of DES/DDD, AHCCCS, educational service models, and applicable payer requirements and service specifications.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, competing deadlines, and diverse service environments.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook), electronic medical record systems, and educational or clinical documentation platforms.
• Professionalism, discretion, customer service, and the ability to establish positive working relationships with learners, families, staff, community partners, and interdisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated ability to adapt to changing organizational priorities while supporting continuous quality improvement and evidence‑based practice.

Physical Demands:

This position requires a combination of routine administrative activity and occasional physical tasks. Employees must be able to:

• Communicate clearly, and remain attentive to surroundings for extended periods
• Stand, walk, sit, bend, kneel, or reach as part of daily responsibilities
• Lift and move up to 50 pounds when assisting consumers with mobility, transfers, equipment, or program materials
• Push or move items up to 50 pounds, such as wheelchairs, furniture, or supplies
• Maintain adequate vision (close, distance, and peripheral) to complete job‑related tasks safely and effectively