ESA - Physical Therapist

Position Summary

The School Physical Therapist is a licensed health care professional and Educational Staff Associate (ESA) who provides educationally relevant physical therapy services to students with disabilities whose motor, mobility, physical, or developmental needs impact their ability to access and benefit from their educational program. Physical therapy services are designed to support student participation, independence, functional mobility, positioning, safety, and access within the educational environment.

The School Physical Therapist collaborates with students, families, educators, administrators, and related service providers to develop and implement services that support student success in school settings and participation in the least restrictive environment.

Base Salary + Enrichment: $68,261 – $129,680

3 Additional Professional Development Days (Per Diem Rate): $1,078.37 – $2,048.65

Supplemental 10-Day ESA

Contract:

$3,792.28 – $7,204.44

• Graduation from an accredited Physical Therapy program.
• Current Washington State Physical Therapist License or ability to obtain licensure prior to employment.
• Washington State Educational Staff Associate (ESA) Certification as a Physical Therapist or ability to obtain certification.
• Knowledge of federal and state special education laws and regulations, including IDEA and Washington Administrative Code (WAC).
• Ability to collaborate effectively with students, families, teachers, administrators, and related service providers.
• Successful completion of Washington State Patrol, FBI fingerprint, and Sexual Misconduct background checks.

• Experience providing physical therapy services within a public school setting.
• Experience participating in special education evaluations and IEP development.
• Knowledge of adaptive equipment, assistive technology, mobility systems, and positioning supports.
• Experience collaborating within multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience supporting students across a range of disabilities and educational settings.

• Conduct screenings and evaluations of students' functional motor skills, mobility, positioning, access, participation, and educational performance.
• Assist evaluation teams in determining the educational impact of motor and physical disabilities.
• Interpret assessment results and provide written reports and recommendations.
• Participate in reevaluations and ongoing assessment activities as required by IDEA and district procedures.

• Participate as a member of evaluation teams, IEP teams, and other multidisciplinary teams.
• Develop recommendations regarding physical therapy services, accommodations, modifications, adaptive equipment, and environmental supports.
• Develop, implement, monitor, and document progress toward IEP goals related to motor development, mobility, positioning, and functional participation.
• Provide progress reports consistent with district and state requirements.

• Provide direct and indirect physical therapy services as identified in student IEPs.
• Support students in developing functional skills necessary for participation in educational activities and routines.
• Implement evidence-based interventions that improve access, mobility, safety, independence, and participation in school environments.
• Provide services in classrooms, playgrounds, transportation settings, vocational environments, community-based instruction settings, and other educational locations as appropriate.

• Collaborate with teachers, educational assistants, administrators, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, school psychologists, nurses, and other service providers.
• Provide consultation and training to school staff regarding positioning, mobility, transfers, adaptive equipment, accessibility, and student-specific supports.
• Partner with families to support student participation and carryover of functional skills across environments.
• Participate in problem-solving and planning meetings to support student success.