At Aspire Living & Learning, we don't just talk about making an impact, we live it. For more than 40 years, we've supported neurodiverse children and adults across New England and Maryland as they discover their passions, unlock their potential, and live more independently in their communities. Our person-centered services evolve with people's needs, from education and behavioral health to residential and community-based supports. We empower people to live lives shaped by their own interests, choices, and strengths. Join our collaborative, mission-driven team and bring your skills to work that makes a real difference every day.
Aspire Living & Learning is currently seeking a School-Based Physical Therapist to play a vital role in providing physical therapy services to students with disabilities and/or physical challenges to help them access and participate in the educational environment. The PT collaborates with educators, families, and other related service providers to support student development, mobility, and functional independence in the school setting.
Compensation: $60-80 per hour
Schedule: Flexible, 10-12 hours per month at our Naugatuck Academy, or 20 hours per month across our Trumbull and Naugatuck Academies
Key Responsibilities:
- Evaluate students' gross motor, mobility, balance, posture, and physical functioning as related to their educational needs.
- Develop and implement individualized physical therapy treatment plans as part of students’ Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
- Provide direct physical therapy services to students in various school environments (classroom, playground, gym, etc.).
- Collaborate with teachers, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, school nurses, and other staff to support student goals.
- Participate in IEP meetings, contribute to evaluations, and maintain appropriate documentation in compliance with state and federal regulations.
- Train school staff on techniques to assist students with mobility or positioning.
- Recommend adaptive equipment or modifications to improve students’ participation and safety in school activities.
- Monitor and document students’ progress toward physical therapy goals.
- Ensure compliance with school district policies and legal mandates related to physical therapy services in educational settings.
- Cultivate a positive and productive workplace atmosphere to enhance team morale and productivity.
- Participate in and complete training sessions as delegated by management to enhance skills and knowledge relevant to the role.
- Conduct training as required and assigned.
- Perform any additional job responsibilities assigned by supervisors or team leaders to support the organization's smooth operation.
- Accept reassignment as required.
Qualifications:
- Master’s or Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy from an accredited program.
- Current state license to practice as a Physical Therapist.
- Certification from the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT), if applicable.
- Experience working with children and/or in a school setting preferred.
- Knowledge of IDEA, educational relevance of physical therapy services.
- Strong communication, collaboration, and organizational skills.
- Must have satisfactory background checks
- Valid driver’s license and safe driving record
Working Conditions:
- As a school employee dedicated to supporting children in the school setting, you'll find yourself immersed in a dynamic and impactful environment. Here's what you can expect regarding working conditions:
- Primary work is done within the school setting however it is expected that staff will monitor/work with students during indoor/outdoor physical activities (playground/gym); support students during academic, related service (Speech, OT, PT), and behavioral programming; and assist in toileting if applicable.
- This role may encounter challenging behaviors and situations, requiring patience, empathy, and effective behavior management strategies and the ability to perform Physical Management Techniques (PMT) as needed.
- Ability to handle physical aspects of job, including bending, stooping, lifting, pushing, pulling, reaching, and walking for periods of time.
- Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds at times.
- May be required to travel.
- Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable qualified people with disabilities to perform the described essential functions of this position.
- Working conditions may vary depending on the specific classroom, and the assigned children’s needs.
Employees at Aspire enjoy working with a collaborative and dedicated team that values a culture of belonging and care. We take pride in offering a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees, including:
- Comprehensive Health, Dental, & Vision Insurance - Choose from multiple medical plans, with vision coverage included at no extra cost.
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Saving Account (HSA) options - Use pre-tax dollars for medical and dependent care expenses.
- Lifestyle Spending Accounts with JOON - Monthly funds for wellness, fitness, commuting, childcare, pet care, and more.
- 403(b) Retirement Plan with Employer Match - A 100% match on contributions up to 2% of your salary.
- Generous Paid Time Off - Paid sick, personal, and vacation days, plus holidays.
- Professional Growth Opportunities - Access to training, leadership and management courses, mentorship, and career advancement.
- Employer-Paid Life & Disability Insurance, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Telehealth Services and more!
If you want to join us in making a difference and positively impact the lives of others while charting your own path of development, then we at the Aspire team would love to hear from you.
Aspire Living & Learning believes it must play an active role in creating a community of employees that is diverse, inclusive and equitable. Our work benefits greatly from the contributions of people of color, people from working class backgrounds, women, LGBTQ people, and individuals with disabilities. Hence, we strongly encourage applications from people with these identities or who are members of other marginalized communities.
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