Physical Therapist

Current Pennsylvania license for physical therapy.

Melmark Overview

Melmark is a nonprofit organization providing clinically-sophisticated evidence-based special education, residential, vocational, and therapeutic services for children and adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders, developmental and intellectual disabilities, acquired brain injuries, medical complexities, and other neurological and genetic disorders.

Physical Therapist Overview

The Physical Therapist provides clinical physical therapy for Melmark individuals.

Schedule and Salary Information

• Monday- Friday 8am-4pm
• Fully on-site
• Starting Salary: $80,000.00 (+) based on years of experience

Requirements

• Graduate of approved Physical Therapy program with a Master’s or Doctorate degree.
• Current Pennsylvania license for physical therapy.
• A minimum of two (2) years experience in a related field preferred.
• Strong background in neuromuscular disorders, basic knowledge of the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis, clinical treatment of severe gross motor deficits with individuals with acquired brain injury, intellectual/developmental disabilities and autism spectrum disorders. Some experience working with individuals with significant challenging behaviors.

Physical Therapy Responsibilities

• Performs comprehensive physical therapy screening, assessment, interventions and reassessments for Melmark individuals to determine the need for and the type of therapy services that need to be delivered. Communicates results verbally and in writing to appropriate personnel. Records progress of each individual receiving physical therapy on charts.
• The therapist compiles and presents information on physical therapy treatments and goals for individual’s IEP/ISP meetings.
• Engages in ongoing assessment of each individual’s functional abilities within their environment and activities. This will include both observations of and hands on interaction with students, as well as implementing and/or monitoring ongoing systems of data collection and analysis.
• Makes or obtains necessary equipment for appropriate mobility, positioning and optimal participation in each individuals day and residential program.
• Determines safe and efficient methods of transitioning, positioning, handling, facilitating movement and transferring individuals. Shares information with other team members. Methods will incorporate use of proper body mechanics to increase movement efficiency and to minimize physical strain on persons working with the individuals.
• Provides targeted, evidence-based therapeutic physical therapy services to assigned individuals utilizing an integrated therapy model by implementing functional and appropriate goals and objectives per each individual’s IEP/ISP.
• Active participation on assigned individual’s interdisciplinary IEP/ISP team. Participation includes completing assessments, evaluations, formulation of goals and objectives, progress monitoring and quarterly progress reports.
• Attends bi-weekly/IDT review meetings of assigned individuals as needed, when indicated by undesirable trends, adaptive equipment needs or physical therapy related goals. Communicates as a member of the interdisciplinary team when making new proposals or modifications to existing goals, plans, services, etc…
• Writes instructional programs and procedures, many of which may be carried out on a regular basis by other team members. The instruction information might include equipment and adaptive devices required, the position of the individual and a description of how to achieve the position, the movements expected of the individual for participation and the assistance provided by staff.
• Provides assistance to individuals and staff on the use, care and maintenance of adaptive equipment. This includes education of program staff, family members, and others on the use and care of adaptive equipment and to problem solve as needed.
• Instructs program staff, family members, and others, methods of safe and therapeutic physical management of individuals including methods of lifting, carrying, transferring and safe mobility.

Benefits

• Work with a nationally known leader in quality-driven initiatives
• Generous Paid Time Off Benefits including Vacation, Holiday and Sick!
• Melmark Sponsored Pension Plan AND 403(b) with employer matching
• Health, Dental, Vision Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts for Health and Dependent Care
• Life, AD&D, and Disability insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Generous Student Loan Reimbursement
• Professional Conference and Research Opportunities
• Onsite CEUs at no cost to employees

INDMPA