Physical Therapist 0.4 FTE

Posting number: 26-27-05215

Department: Support Services

Division: Special Education / SUPPSVC

Job classification: Physical Therapist

Posting type: Open

Categories: K-12

Summary

Tacoma Public Schools

Expected Start Date: September 1, 2026

FTE:  0.4

Hours per day:  3

Salary Level: Based on preparation level and experience per TEA Collective Bargaining Agreement.  Range is $73,549 (BA+0 step 1) through $144,248 (MA+90 step 20).  Salary placement will be prorated to 0.4 FTE equivalent. 

Union/Days per year:  Teacher, 182 workdays, 10-month

Benefits: This position is not benefits eligible

Examples of duties

This position plans and administers physical therapy services for students with disabilities which impact their educational program.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

1. Evaluates students in the areas of functional mobility, neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, and gross motor function to determine physical therapy needs.

2. Develops, plans, implement, and revises IEP goals and objectives and treatment plans to meet each student’s particular needs.

3. Administers physical therapy techniques and procedures to improve and maintain student function.

4. Instructs, motivates, and assists student to perform various physical activities as well as use of assistive and supportive devices such as crutches, canes, wheelchairs, and prostheses.

5. Maintains up-to-date cumulative physical therapy records and other records as required by the District and state and federal law; follows all relevant state and federal regulations for special education; maintains confidentiality.

6. Confers with physicians and other practitioners to obtain additional student information; implements revisions in treatment program; integrates physical therapy treatment with other aspects of student’s educational program; works as a team member with the student, family, teachers, special education staff, and other health care practitioners to help the student achieve desired goals; instructs students and family in treatment procedures to be continued at home.

7. Requisitions, repairs, and replaces physical therapy supplies and equipment; oversees maintenance of a sanitary and safe environment in the physical therapy treatment area.

8. Provides direction, instructions, and supervision to assigned therapy assistants.

9. Serves as a consultant for physical therapy matters to other staff members; serves on committees (including IEP teams) and participates in meetings.

10. Participates in the development of objectives, standards, and procedures in the District physical therapy program and in planning, implementing, and evaluating physical therapy services to be provided.

OTHER JOB DUTIES

1. Maintains professional competence through continuing education activities; maintains physical therapy license and ESA certification; keeps appraised of current legislation pertaining to physical therapy practice; participates in professional development activities.

2. Performs related duties as assigned, on a temporary basis.

3. Regular, reliable, predictable attendance or physical presence is an essential job requirement and critical to the performance of the work.

CONDITIONS

The daily activities of the physical therapist are performed in a school setting. There is a high level of interaction with students; may be required to deal with distraught parents/students. The work requires getting up and down off the floor, physically moving and guiding student motor movements, and lifting students up and down from chairs and from the floor, and also requires the moving of equipment. Frequent interruptions occur, and visual and mental concentration on details and precision is required. The physical therapist is required to travel to different sites and may be exposed to infectious diseases; may be required to lift and carry up to 20 pounds, bend, squat, stoop, kneel, crouch, walk, twist, climb, and/or be mobile.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from an accredited college or university; Master’s degree, preferred; experience as a physical therapist in a public-school setting, preferred; or any combination of expe