Academy Physical Therapist

Make a Real Impact Every Day!

At Lauren’s Institute for Education (L.I.F.E.), we believe in empowering individuals with developmental disabilities through education, support, and compassion.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Evaluate learners using standardized assessments, observation, interviews, record review, and clinical judgment to determine strengths, needs, and areas for intervention when acting in a Supervisory role for any assigned assistants. 
• Develop, implement, monitor, and revise, educational supports, consultative recommendations, and therapeutic interventions within the therapist's licensed scope of practice, ensuring alignment with transdisciplinary goals and learner outcomes. 
• Provide consultation, classroom-based supports, and group programming based on learner and organizational needs.  
• Integrate therapeutic strategies into Academy environments to support participation, independence, communication, motor skills, sensory regulation, and functional performance while promoting generalization across environments. 
• Maintain classroom schedules and provide structured and informal observations, coaching, modeling, and consultation to academy staff to ensure carryover of therapeutic strategies.  
• Provide short-term individual consultative support and targeted interventions when clinically indicated to address emerging needs. 
• Assist with development, implementation, and ongoing monitoring of ILP goals associated with designated discipline and transdisciplinary treatment objectives. 
• Collect, analyze, and interpret data to evaluate progress, inform clinical decision-making, adjust interventions, and complete all required documentation, including daily reflections, progress reports, clinical records, and billing documentation, as applicable. 
• Maintain ongoing communication and collaboration with families, caregivers, educational staff, medical providers, and interdisciplinary teams to ensure coordinated care.  
• Participate in ILP meetings, case reviews, consultations, and required organizational meetings, contributing clinical insight and recommendations. 
• Develop and deliver staff training, professional development, and discipline-specific education to enhance staff competency and consistency of implementation.  
• Provide consultation on adaptive equipment, assistive technology, environmental modifications, and therapeutic supports, including assessment, implementation, staff training, and follow-up monitoring. 
• Utilize therapeutic and behavior support strategies consistent with organizational expectations and individualized behavior support plans. 
• Follow all organizational policies, professional standards, payer requirements, licensing regulations, and applicable laws. 
• Complete required trainings, fidelity assessments, continuing education, and maintain licensure and certifications. 
• Ensure incidents are documented, reported, and followed up on according to organizational policy and regulatory requirements. 
• Supervise assistants, students, interns, or trainees as applicable and consistent with licensure requirements.  
• Serve as a clinical resource through education, mentoring, consultation, and support to staff and team members. 
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives, program development, and organizational projects to enhance service delivery.  
• Maintain ethical and professional standards and perform duties safely.  
• Perform other duties as assigned. 

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Graduate degree or doctoral degree, as required by the applicable therapy discipline, from an accredited educational program. 
• Current Arizona licensure (or license eligible, if permitted) in the applicable therapy discipline and maintenance of all required professional certifications consistent with the position. 
• Knowledge of applicable federal and state laws, licensing regulations, ethical standards, payer requirements, educational practices, and professional standards governing therapy services. 
• Experience working with children and/or adults with developmental disabilities preferred; equivalent pediatric or clinical experience may be considered. 
• Current Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card. 
• Current CPR, First Aid, and Article 9 certification, and P.R.O.U.D. Certification or the ability to obtain within the required timeframe. 
• Understanding of developmental milestones, social skill deficits, maladaptive behaviors, evidence-based therapeutic interventions, and collaborative interdisciplinary service delivery. 
• Strong clinical reasoning, organizational, written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills. 
• Ability to work collaboratively with interdisciplinary teams while exercising sound clinical judgment, maintaining professional boundaries, and promoting positive learner outcomes. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Experience providing therapy services within pediatric, educational, developmental disability, home, community-based, or interdisciplinary settings. 
• Experience developing and implementing treatment plans, Individual Learning Plan (ILP) goals, classroom supports, and consultative service models. 
• Experience conducting evaluations, standardized assessments, documentation, billing, payer authorization requirements, and progress reporting. 
• Experience providing classroom consultation, staff coaching, professional development, or discipline-specific trainings. 
• Experience supervising therapy assistants, students, interns, or clinical trainees, consistent with professional licensure requirements. 
• Knowledge of DES/DDD, AHCCCS, educational service models, and applicable payer requirements and service specifications. 
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, competing deadlines, and diverse service environments. 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook), electronic medical record systems, and educational or clinical documentation platforms. 
• Professionalism, discretion, customer service, and the ability to establish positive working relationships with learners, families, staff, community partners, and interdisciplinary teams. 
• Demonstrated ability to adapt to changing organizational priorities while supporting continuous quality improvement and evidence-based practice. 

Physical Demands: 

This position requires a combination of routine administrative activity and occasional physical tasks. Employees must be able to: 

•  Communicate clearly, and remain attentive to surroundings for extended periods 
•  Stand, walk, sit, bend, kneel, or reach as part of daily responsibilities 
• Lift and move up to 50 pounds when assisting consumers with mobility, transfers, equipment, or program materials 
• Push or move items up to 50 pounds, such as wheelchairs, furniture, or supplies 
• Maintain adequate vision (close, distance, and peripheral) to complete job-related tasks safely and effectively 

Benefits

Salary: $80,0000 10-month contract

Sign on Commitment Bonus available from $2,500 to $5,000!

Great Benefits: 

• Health, Dental, Vision Insurance 
• Spring, Fall and Winter Paid breaks
• 12 Paid Holidays
• PTO that grows with you: 2 weeks (3 after 2 years) 
• Wellness Program: earn rewards + insurance discounts 
• 401K + Roth plans with company match 
• Partial Paid FMLA
• This equates to an added 20 - 25% in potential benefits for total compensation.

Awesome Perks: 

• 5 free L.I.F.E. shirts to start, with seasonal restocks 
• Monthly cupcakes, football treats, and staff celebrations 
• Employee of the Month gift + parking spot 
• Birthday gifts + recognition for service milestones 
• Department budgets for staff-requested items 
• Discounted degree options + in-house trainings 
• Eligible for federal student loan forgiveness (L.I.F.E. is a 501(c)(3)) 
• 10-acre facility with a thoughtfully designed and beautiful outdoor environment