Jackson Tennessee - Physical Therapist

Thrive Therapies; Jackson (TN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Thrive Therapies in Tennessee is hiring a licensed school-based physical therapist to deliver PT services to K–12 students. You will support mobility, participation, and independence within the educational day and collaborate with district teams to integrate therapy into the IEP process.

You will evaluate gross motor function, recommend adaptive equipment, write IEP goals, and participate in eligibility decisions.

Qualifications

• DPT or MPT degree required.
• NPTE board exam and active license or transfer process.
• Knowledge of IDEA, IEP process, and school-based PT model.

Responsibilities

• Deliver school-based PT services to K-12 students with disabilities.
• Evaluate gross motor function, write IEP goals, and participate in eligibility decisions.
• Administer standardized tools (GMFM, BOTMP, PDMS-2) and document progress.

Skills

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Mobility assessment

Education

DPT or MPT from accredited PT program

NPTE board exam

Active state PT license or licensure transfer

Job description

WHY THRIVE THERAPIES

School-based PTs are essential to student mobility, independence, and full participation in school life - yet many practice without adequate consultation time, peer support, or workloads aligned to best practice.

WHY THRIVE THERAPIES

School-based PTs are essential to student mobility, independence, and full participation in school life - yet many practice without adequate consultation time, peer support, or workloads aligned to best practice.

Thrive partners with districts that value physical therapy as integral to educational access. You'll work in environments where your expertise in gross motor development, mobility, and functional capacity is sought at the IEP level and embedded throughout the school day - not limited to isolated sessions.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

As a Thrive PT you will deliver school-based physical therapy services to students K-12 whose disabilities affect their ability to access and navigate the educational environment. Working within the educational model, you will evaluate gross motor function, recommend adaptive equipment, write IEP goals, and collaborate with interdisciplinary school teams. You are a full member of the community.

EVALUATION & ELIGIBILITY

• Conduct comprehensive PT evaluations to determine educational need and IDEA eligibility, including assessment of gross motor skills, functional mobility, gait, balance, coordination, and physical access to the school environment
• Administer and interpret standardized assessment tools (GMFM, BOTMP, PDMS-2, and others) as appropriate to the referral
• Write evaluation reports that are clinically rigorous, educationally framed, and accessible to IEP team members and families
• Participate in eligibility determination meetings and translate PT findings for educational planning purposes
• Conduct re-evaluations (triennials) in accordance with IDEA timelines

IEP DEVELOPMENT & SERVICE DELIVERY

• Develop individualized PT IEP goals targeting functional mobility, gross motor skill development, and physical participation in educational activities
• Deliver direct individual therapy sessions using evidence-based PT approaches including NDT, motor learning principles, gait training, and strengthening programs
• Evaluate for and recommend adaptive equipment - including wheelchairs, walkers, orthotics, and positioning devices - and train students, staff, and families in their proper use
• Provide consultative services to teachers and paraprofessionals on physical access accommodations and safe transfer and mobility support techniques
• Maintain accurate, timely service logs and progress notes - supported by Thrive's AI documentation tools

COLLABORATION & ENVIRONMENTAL ACCESS

• Partner with OTs, SLPs, BCBAs, school psychologists, and special education teachers on integrated, student-centered IEP teams
• Collaborate with school facilities and administration on accessibility modifications when indicated by student need
• Train teachers, paraprofessionals, and families on safe handling, mobility support, and transfer techniques
• Coordinate with occupational therapists on overlapping motor, positioning, and adaptive equipment goals
• Contribute to RTI/MTSS by providing universal gross motor screening and physical access consultation

QUALIFICATIONS

REQUIRED

• DPT or MPT from an accredited physical therapy program
• NPTE board exam passage; active state PT license in good standing, or documented initiation of licensure transfer prior to start date
• Knowledge of IDEA, IEP process, and the educational model of PT

PREFERRED

• 1+ years of school-based PT experience
• Training in NDT, motor learning theory, or pediatric PT specialty frameworks
• Experience with adaptive equipment evaluation and recommendation
• Experience serving students with cerebral palsy, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, or acquired motor disabilities