Certified Physical Therapist Assistant

Mission Edge; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 41,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Professional development

Collaborative team environment

Direct work with inclusive childcare

Clinical supervision

Job summary

Includ(Ed) seeks a Certified Physical Therapist Assistant to join our neurodiversity-affirming preschool team. This role embeds therapy within the classroom and collaborates with teachers, therapists, and families to support movement, participation, and learning throughout the school day.

You will provide push-in and small-group PT interventions, help children access routines and play, and train classroom staff on strategies. California PTA licensure is required.

Qualifications

• Associate degree from an accredited PTA program.
• Current California PTA licensure.
• Experience with preschool/childcare or pediatric settings.
• Ability to collaborate in a multidisciplinary team.
• Knowledge of play-based and relationship-based approaches.

Responsibilities

• Provide PTA in classroom through individual and small-group activities under supervision.
• Support gross motor development, mobility, balance, coordination, and functional movement.
• Push-in PTA support within the natural classroom environment.
• Collaborate with teachers and therapists to integrate PT strategies into activities.
• Consult with classroom teams on student needs and mobility goals.
• Provide training to teachers and staff on movement strategies.
• Maintain brief and accurate documentation of services and student progress.
• Contribute to a neurodiversity-affirming, strengths‑based approach.

Skills

Young children experience

Team collaboration

Strong communication

Play-based approach

Neurodiversity-affirming care

Education

Associate degree in PTA

California PTA licensure

Job description

Certified Physical Therapist Assistant

Department: Managed Services

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Includ(Ed)

Compensation: $30.00 - $38.00 / hour

Description

Certified Physical Therapy Assistant Company: Includ(Ed)Location: Various Locations Throughout San Diego Includ(Ed) Campuses

• Pacific Beach Campus: 4761 Cass Street, San Diego, CA 92109
• Point Loma Campus: 3598 Talbot St, San Diego, CA 92106

We are seeking a neurodiversity-affirming, passionate, and dedicated Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) to join our inclusive preschool team. This role is designed for a PTA who enjoys working directly within the classroom and collaborating closely with teachers, therapists, and families to support children’s movement, mobility, participation, and success throughout the school day.

The PTA will provide a combination of individual and small-group physical therapy intervention, classroom-based support, team consultation, and staff training within our inclusive childcare program. Rather than providing therapy in isolation, this role is embedded within the natural classroom environment and focuses on helping children access, participate in, and engage meaningfully in everyday routines, play, learning, and social experiences.

As part of our team, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on children and families while working alongside a multidisciplinary team committed to inclusion, collaboration, and neurodiversity-affirming care.

Our Mission and Vision At Includ(Ed), our philosophy is simple: all children deserve access to community, care, and education. We are on a mission to increase access to quality, inclusive early childhood education. What Is It That We Do? Includ(Ed) provides inclusive preschool and childcare where all are welcome. Collectively, our staff provides the support, care, and education that enable typically developing children and children with disabilities to learn, play, and thrive together.

Our multidisciplinary team works collaboratively within the classroom to support children’s participation and development across the school day. Our model emphasizes relationships, access, autonomy, and collaboration rather than separating children from their peers for therapy whenever possible.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide physical therapy intervention within the classroom through individual and small-group activities under the direction and supervision of a licensed Physical Therapist.
• Support children’s gross motor development, mobility, balance, coordination, strength, postural control, and functional movement.
• Provide push-in physical therapy support within the natural classroom environment.
• Support children’s participation in classroom routines, playground activities, transitions, movement-based play, and social experiences with peers.
• Collaborate closely with teachers and other therapists to integrate physical therapy strategies into everyday classroom activities and routines.
• Consult with classroom teams regarding individual student needs, gross motor development, mobility, positioning, balance, coordination, and environmental access.
• Provide practical strategies, modeling, and training to teachers and classroom staff to support children’s movement and participation throughout the school day.
• Help implement classroom-based adaptations and environmental supports that promote safe access, mobility, and participation.
• Observe classroom routines and collaborate with the team to identify opportunities to increase independence, engagement, and participation through movement.
• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings and student planning as needed.
• Communicate regularly with the supervising Physical Therapist regarding student progress, needs, and intervention strategies.
• Maintain brief and accurate documentation related to services and student progress.
• Support a neurodiversity-affirming, strengths-based approach that prioritizes autonomy, connection, participation, and inclusion.
• Contribute to a collaborative team culture where therapists and teachers learn from one another and work together to support the whole classroom.

Qualifications/Physical Requirements

• Associate’s degree from an accredited Physical Therapist Assistant program.
• Current California licensure as a Physical Therapist Assistant.
• Experience working with young children, preferably in a preschool, childcare, or pediatric setting.
• Experience providing physical therapy services in a classroom or other school-based environment preferred.
• Knowledge of developmentally appropriate pediatric physical therapy practices and gross motor development.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with children, teachers, and families.
• Ability to collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Comfortable providing practical strategies and training to teachers and classroom staff.
• Strong understanding of play-based, relationship-based, and neurodiversity-affirming approaches.
• Passion for working with young children and supporting their movement, participation, independence, and quality of life.
• Ability to work independently while seeking and incorporating feedback from the supervising
• Physical Therapist and classroom team.

Physical Requirements of the Job

• Standing and walking throughout the school day.
• Frequent stooping, bending, kneeling, and moving between floor- and table-level activities.
• Ability to actively participate in play and movement activities with young children.
• Lifting up to 40 pounds.

Compensation/Benefits

• Job Type: Hourly, 30–40 hours per week.
• Pay: 30–38/hour, based on experience and education.
• Comprehensive health insurance coverage for employees working 30+ hours per week.
• Paid time off and holidays.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Supportive and collaborative multidisciplinary team environment.
• Opportunity to work directly within an inclusive childcare setting alongside teachers, therapists, and families.
• Clinical supervision and ongoing collaboration with licensed Physical Therapists.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:

EEOC Statement Includ(Ed) is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.