Physical Therapist Pool - 26-27 SY

Wifca; United States; Hybrid; USD 73,000 - 89,000; Full time

Job summary

The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) seeks a licensed Physical Therapist to support students with disabilities across district schools. This is an applicant pool posting for future vacancies; the PT provides direct services and consults with staff to enable access to education and the IEP/504 process.

You will assess, plan, and implement therapy, collaborate with teachers, procure materials, monitor progress, and help build an inclusive school environment while complying with DPI

Qualifications

• Doctorate in Physical Therapy with licensure to practice in Wisconsin.
• Active DPI license as a Physical Therapist or eligible for licensure.
• Fully licensed prior to or within interview process window.

Responsibilities

• Assess students' functional skills and determine disability-related needs.
• Develop IEP/504 goals and treatment plans for eligible students.
• Provide direct PT services and consult with teachers and staff.
• Collaborate with classroom teams to ensure access and accommodations.
• Procure materials/equipment for student needs (e.g., mobility aids).
• Monitor progress toward IEP goals and adjust plans as needed.
• Support inclusion and access to education across settings.

Skills

Collaboration

Organizational skills

Data-driven decisions

Prioritization

Education

Doctorate Degree in Physical Therapy

Job description

Minimum Annual Compensation: $81,060 (25-26 TE Salary Schedule)

Length of Contract: 192 days

Employment Type: Exempt

MMSD is seeking highly motivated and energetic applicants! Applicants should have a good attitude, willingness to learn, and passion for impactful work and learning.

Why You Should Work with MMSD!

The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is the second-largest school district in Wisconsin. We have a simple but bold vision — to ensure that every school is a thriving school, that prepares every student to graduate from high school ready for college, career, and community. We welcome applicants who will actively contribute to our ongoing commitment to making MMSD a thriving, welcoming environment for all students, families, and staff.

The Madison Metropolitan School District is committed to being anti-racist, culturally responsive, and inclusive. We have a simple but bold vision — to ensure that every school is a thriving school, fostering the growth of every student so they graduate from high school ready for college, career and community.

Our strategy is captured in our strategic framework , and centers on three major goals: that all children achieve academically, that our schools are places where children and adults thrive, and that our Black youth excel at school. To achieve this vision, we seek to retain staff in all positions, who are committed to being anti-racist, culturally responsive, and inclusive. Staff who will actively contribute to our ongoing commitment to making MMSD a thriving, welcoming environment for all students, families and staff.

We firmly believe in and are here to create a work environment that is challenging and rewarding, while supporting employees in their career path. We strive to provide, encourage, grow, and develop a talented workforce that better supports and represents the diversity of our student population. We know this vision doesn't come to life without dynamic leaders and support staff in every school.

About Our District

The Madison Metropolitan School District is the second largest school district in Wisconsin. The district serves a beautifully diverse population of more than 25,000 students. More than half are students of color. Almost half come from low income households. Nearly one third are English Language Learners, and more than 100 languages are represented in our schools. Madison schools are committed to making this district a place where every child thrives.

About This Posting

This is an “applicant pool” posting. It does not signify that vacancies actually exist at this time. The purpose of this posting is to develop a pool of qualified applicants, should vacancies become available.

Purpose of Position

Physical Therapists are an integral part of a team of educators, family, and others that supports students with disabilities. The primary role of the Physical Therapist is to provide direct services to students and consultative services to staff on behalf of students in order for them to access educational environments and their special education program.

Supervisory Responsibilities

May supervise the clinical practice of Certified Physical Therapy Assistants per Chapter PI 11 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Assess the functional skills and abilities of students who have or are suspected of having a disability and who may require the specialized services of a Physical Therapist to benefit from special education in accordance with professional guidelines. Provide written reports to and participate collaboratively in Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and/or Section 504 meetings to establish eligibility, determine disability-related needs, develop IEP goals, and establish the need for special education and related services, accommodations and/or modifications.

For those students who require PT, develop treatment plans that address the underlying skills necessary for students to benefit from their IEP.

Provide direct and consultative services as broadly described in the IEP or 504 Plan and specifically defined in the treatment plan of students assigned to caseload.

Work as a team with regular and special educators to design and ensure that all Supplemental Aids & Services and Program Modifications are provided to students.

Procure materials and equipment needed to meet individual student needs for access to environments and instruction (e.g., ambulatory equipment)

Monitor progress of students’ development toward treatment plan goals and, with regular and special education teachers, monitor progress toward IEP goals.

Support students, families and staff to effectively use adaptive equipment, technology, or specialized techniques that enable students’ to access the educational environment.

Participate as part of teacher teams to analyze and determine root cause of student challenges and, using data-based decision making, make recommendations for adjustments to instructional practices in response to student need.

Collaborate with and educate classroom teachers and other educators in optimizing access to educational environments and activities for individual students and groups of students with motor development delays or conditions.

Provide, document and ensure adequate training to SEA’s or other staff who assist in movement of students with motor conditions.

If assigned, provide professional supervision to Certified Physical Therapy Assistants per Department of Public Instruction guidelines and state statutes.

Educate staff about underlying, child-specific motor development or conditions that may impact an individual student’s access to education and how these may be mediated in the educational environment.

Obtain medical information as necessary for educational planning and serve as a liaison between outside medical providers and school staff.

In collaboration with Nursing staff, develop and document emergency evacuation procedures for students with significant mobility needs.

Facilitate practices that promote inclusion across school environments and develop student independence toward college and career readiness.

Build classroom and school culture through the reinforcement of social emotional learning skills, behavioral expectations and practice of pro-active engagement strategies with all students.

Promote the continual improvement of the OT/PT Department’s capacity to serve students and families by engaging in professional activities that enhance personal professional development.

Complete all necessary documentation and paperwork, including (but not limited to) daily treatment notes, IEP’s, Evaluation Reports, Treatment Plans, Quarterly Progress Updates, 504 Plans and Medicaid School Based Services processes.

Ensure the safe use of therapy equipment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required to Perform Essential Job Functions

Knowledge of the general developmental needs of students across grade levels and the ability to effectively support these unique needs.

Knowledge of Assistive Technology and adaptations of instructional technology to meet the needs of students.

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Knowledge of the span of disability conditions that are present in an educational setting.

Excellent collaborative and engagement skills to work with teams of people that include both school staff, students and families, and outside agency personnel.

Exceptional organizational skills.

Ability to prioritize job duties and maximize time efficiency.

Ability to understand and use data-based decision making.

Qualifications

Doctorate Degree or higher from an accredited program for Physical Therapists. (Note: Therapists who previously received a Master’s or Bachelor’s Degree and have continued good licensure standing are eligible for employment.)

Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) license as a Physical Therapist.

Applications are considered on a rolling basis. MMSD will consider applicants who are fully licensed before considering applicants who are not yet licensed.

If you do not already have an active Wisconsin teaching license, you must obtain and maintain the necessary license(s) for the position. An application must be on file within 30 days of starting your employment with MMSD. Failure to do so will result in your contract being voided.

The district does not provide financial support for the continued education that is required to achieve the certification. The district does not select or endorse any particular certification program that leads to the required Wisconsin teaching license. An unlicensed candidate can be considered, but they must be hired by a school district in order to apply for a One-Year License with Stipulations with DPI.

To search DPI-approved certification programs: https://dpi.wi.gov/licensing/pathways-licensure

Current Wisconsin Department of Health Services license as a Physical Therapist.

Cultural competence to work effectively with all students and families in MMSD.

Strong equity vision for all students in MMSD.

Working Conditions

Work may require travel to different locations within the district and to off-site meetings.

Position may require working evenings, nights, and some weekends.

Certain positions within the District may allow hybrid work flexibility for a portion of their work schedule, depending on the needs of the position and the work unit. This topic and any remote work flexibility that may be available will be discussed in more detail in the interview process

School-based positions are required to be in-person unless otherwise directed by the building principal.

Physical Requirements

Ability to work under generally safe and comfortable conditions where exposure to environmental factors is minimal and poses little to no risk of injury. This position requires the ability to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally and may involve walking, sitting, stooping or reaching. Manual dexterity is necessary for completing general tasks while operating office equipment. This position may require being stationary for extended periods of time.

Ability to perform work in a variety of indoor and outdoor environments throughout the year, including in inclement weather, spaces without air conditioning, and areas where temperatures may be uncomfortable or fluctuate rapidly.

Disclaimer

This position description is subject to change at any time. The above job description does not limit the duties and responsibilities listed above as they are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required. Employees in this position may be required to perform additional job-related tasks as directed by the supervisor.

The Madison Metropolitan School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We continue to seek a diverse and talented workforce. We encourage veterans, women, people of color, LGBTQIA+, and people with disabilities to apply. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the District will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.