Physical Therapist

Position Type: Professional Staff Student Support Services/Physical Therapist Date Posted: 3/3/2026 Location: Lincoln Center/District Wide Closing Date: 03/13/2026 Physical Therapist The Physical Therapist will be directly responsible to the OT/PT Department Specialist who is directly responsible to the Director of Special Education Programs and Services. Responsibilities: General Duties: (1) Provide physical therapy, evaluation and treatment; (2) Develop treatment plans and IEP goals; (3) Complete necessary paperwork; (4) Communication and consultation; (5) Manage therapy equipment. Specific Duties/Treatment Duties: (1) Provide physical therapy treatment to students in accordance with accepted practices and procedures of pediatric therapy and according to stated IEP goals; (2) Screen student identified by other school personnel or outside agency as possibly needing physical therapy services; (3) Perform and document full physical therapy evaluation of students receiving physical therapy services. Re-evaluate yearly or as needed; (4) Develop treatment plans for and supervise therapy of Physical Therapist Assistant; (5) Develop, teach and monitor classroom and home exercise programs; (6) Set student service priorities as necessary; (7) Travel to the students school to provide treatment; (8) Adhere to therapy schedule and notify necessary staff of schedule changes. Other Programs and Duties: (1) Attend Individual Education Plan (IEP) and MDC Meetings on all students considered for or receiving physical therapy; (2) Participate in Waukegan Early Education (WEE) Screening; (3) Participate in Parent-Infant Education (PIE) screening and provide physical therapy services as needed. Paperwork Duties: (1) Become familiar with federal and state laws regarding physical therapy services in the school setting; (2) Follow district and departmental policies, procedures and forms; (3) Obtain, review and interpret medical information necessary for treatment. Yearly doctor's prescription is needed; (4) Obtain parental permission for screening; (5) Write Individual Education Plan (IEP) goals for each student. Update yearly; (6) Write physical therapy report for yearly IEP or MDC meeting; (7) Keep attendance and running treatment notes on each student; (8) Document supervision of Physical Therapist Assistant as needed; (9) Complete all necessary paperwork such as: Medicaid forms, individual data sheet updates, yearly class list, mileage, etc; (10) Develop workable therapy schedule. Equipment Duties: (1) Keep up to date inventory of all physical therapy equipment and its location; (2) Keep all equipment in good repair; (3) Prioritize equipment needs and prepare new equipment orders when due; (4) Recommend types of equipment that could benefit a student and assist in procuring equipment for trial or permanent use; (5) Make sure all equipment is used correctly. Instruct others in correct equipment use as necessary; (6) Identify and improve seating and positioning problems; (7) Repair, modify or order new wheelchairs as needed. Communication and Consultation Duties: (1) Promote awareness of the role and function of physical therapy in Waukegan Schools; (2) Coordinate with Occupational Therapy; (3) Communicate with school nurse about student medical problems and in conjunction with nursing be a resource person for school staff and parents on medical issues; (4) Communicate with parents and outside agencies to give or get requested information, coordinate medical services, resolve equipment needs, etc; (5) Communicate effectively with classroom teacher about day, time and place of physical therapy and about students PT goals, progress and equipment; (6) Instruct classroom staff and gym personnel on activities of a therapeutic nature that should be carried out in classroom, playground or gym. Provide on-going monitoring and reassessment of such activities; (7) Train school staff in handling techniques, use of equipment, safety, etc; (8) Monitor and assist in adapting school environment for accessibility and finding ways to ensure optimal function in least restrictive environment; (9) Participate in district in-service and staff development programs; (10) Provide formal and informal education on topics and activities related to physical therapy. Miscellaneous: (1) If the district participates in PT or PTA student clinical education affiliations, the physical therapist will develop a suitable student clinical program and supervise students. Qualifications: Must hold Illinois State Physical Therapy License Salary: Salary Structure Days of Work: 5 days per week Additional Information: Therapist work time will be determined by IEP minutes and documentation requirements. Application Deadline: Candidates must submit an online application to be posted until closting date. Only applications received online will be considered for interviews. Apply:

Created: 2026-03-05