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.

Salary

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

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• 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.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Evaluation and Assessment

• 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.

Individualized Education Program (IEP) Services

• 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.

Direct and Indirect Services

• 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.

Consultation and Collaboration

• 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.

Equipment and Assistive Technology

• Evaluate, recommend, and support the use of adaptive equipment, positioning devices, mobility systems, and assistive technology.
• Assist in monitoring the safe use and maintenance of equipment.
• Coordinate with staff and families regarding equipment needs and implementation.

Documentation and Compliance

• Maintain timely and accurate service records, evaluation reports, progress reports, Medicaid documentation (when applicable), and other required records.
• Ensure compliance with IDEA, Section 504, Washington State regulations, district procedures, and professional standards of practice.
• Maintain confidentiality of student records and information.

Other Duties

• Participate in professional development activities and maintain required licensure and certifications.
• Attend district, building, and departmental meetings as assigned.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Physical Requirements

Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation, including assisting with positioning, transfers, mobility support, and the movement of adaptive equipment as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of child development, motor development, and educationally relevant physical therapy practices.
• Knowledge of special education procedures, IDEA requirements, and school-based service delivery models.
• Ability to assess student needs and develop effective intervention strategies.
• Ability to organize time, materials, and workload effectively.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with students, families, and staff.
• Ability to adapt environments, equipment, and activities to meet student needs.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and high expectations for all students.
• Ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

Required Attachments

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Three (3) Letters of Recommendation
• Valid Washington State ESA Certificate (if currently held)

Employment Conditions

Employment is contingent upon successful clearance of Washington State Patrol, FBI fingerprint criminal history background checks, and Sexual Misconduct background checks.

Benefits

Insurance Benefits

Medical, dental, vision, basic life insurance, and long-term disability benefits provided through the School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB).

Retirement Benefits

Provided through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS).

Paid Leave Benefits

Provided pursuant to the Eatonville Education Association Collective Bargaining Agreement and applicable School Board Policies.

Additional Benefits

• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP)
• 403(b) Retirement Savings Program

Supplemental Compensation

Extended days, professional development, and stipend opportunities as provided in the applicable collective bargaining agreement.

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 educational environments. Services are provided in alignment with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and are intended to support students in accessing and making progress in the general education curriculum and participating with nondisabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE).

The School Physical Therapist collaborates with students, families, educators, administrators, and related service providers within a multidisciplinary framework to develop and implement services that support student success, inclusion, and meaningful participation across school settings. The Physical Therapist also supports district efforts related to Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), inclusive practices, and equitable access to educational opportunities for all students.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Eatonville School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, creed, national origin, age, veteran or military status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, homelessness, immigration or citizenship status, neurodivergence, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal.

Acknowledgment:

Eatonville School District #404 reserves the right to modify and interpret this job description. This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. This job description is illustrative and in no way implies that these are the only duties, including essential duties, to be performed by the employee occupying this position. This job description is not an employment contract, implied or otherwise.

Eatonville School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, creed, religion, color, national origin, immigration or citizenship status, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, homelessness, disability, neurodivergence, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:

Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator

Name and/or Title: Dracy Blue, Executive Director of Student Services

Address: 200 Lynch St. W., Eatonville, WA 98328

Telephone Number: (360)641-1809

Email: d.blue@eatonville.wednet.edu

Section 504/ADA Coordinator

Name and/or Title: Dracy Blue, Executive Director of Student Services

Address: 200 Lynch St. W., Eatonville, WA 98328

Telephone Number: (360)641-1809

Email: d.blue@eatonville.wednet.edu

Title IX Coordinator

Name and/or Title: Dracy Blue, Executive Director of Student Services

Address: 200 Lynch St. W., Eatonville, WA 98328

Telephone Number: (360)641-1809

Email: d.blue@eatonville.wednet.edu