Openings as of 12/7/2025
SALARY & BENEFITS:
Starting salary range $58,000 to $65,000 (connected to Education and Years of experience)
Available benefits include
Partial Board Paid Medical Insurance of ANY Available Plan
100% Board Paid Single Dental Insurance
100% Board Paid Life Insurance (annual salary)
Flex Savings Accounts
Sick and personal days
IMRF position
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Physical Therapist is part of a multidisciplinary school team, helping identify and provide services for students with disabilities to access education in the least restrictive environment. They develop, implement, and coordinate a physical therapy program that includes safety, positioning techniques, relaxation activities, balance, and equilibrium exercises to address abnormal muscle tone and reflex patterns. Services also cover ambulation, wheelchair management, stair negotiation, and exercises for strengthening and stretching. The therapist provides both direct and consultative services, focusing on gross motor skills such as body movement, muscle tone, coordination, balance, and the development of normal movement patterns.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Physical Therapist evaluates students through skilled professional observation, therapeutic handling, record review, and parent, student, and teacher interviews. Physical Therapists interpret assessment findings and appropriately communicate information to parents and school teams through written and oral means. The Physical Therapist collaborates with the school team to develop Individualized Education Programs and Section 504 Plans to address the students’ unique needs.
Provides gross motor and functional assessments (evaluations/screenings) to assist in determining a student’s eligibility for special education and their ability to access and benefit from their education.
Interprets assessment findings and appropriately communicates information to parents and school teams through written and oral means.
Collaborates with the school team to develop Individualized Education Programs and Section 504 Plans to address the students’ unique needs.
Develops and implements individualized Physical Therapist intervention strategies.
Collaborates with student, school team members, parents, community agencies, administrators, and physicians regarding effective coordination of services and transition from school to community, preparing students to function independently when outlined outcomes are achieved.
Addresses needs for assistive technology, equipment, transportation, accessibility, environmental accommodations, and emergency evacuation for students with disabilities to access their educational environment.
Provides services as deemed appropriate by the evaluation findings and develops measurable school-based goals in respect to the students' total environment, needs, and input from the educational team.
Monitors and documents progress toward these goals and maintains files and/or records in accordance with the Illinois Physical Therapy Practice Act, LASEC, and Member District policies.
Provides direct or consultative therapy services via interaction with students or consultative services among the team using appropriate therapeutic techniques.
Collaborates with the educational team to develop and implement strategies and techniques to support the student’s program such as adaptations, accommodations, positioning, and equipment related to environmental and/or physical needs.
Complies with all IEP requirements, written reports, records/testing protocols, progress notes, student attendance, and data keeping in accordance with rules and regulations.
Participates in student meetings: domain, initial evaluation, re-evaluation, annual review, team meetings, etc.
Shares information and trains staff, parents, and students through instruction, modeling, and service within the classroom and/or school environment.
Secures a written physician’s prescription/referral for each student who requires direct services.
Completes Medicaid Administrative Outreach within time limits.
Participates in the selection, ordering, and upkeep of therapy-based equipment and supplies.
Maintains inventory of materials and equipment.
Provides Extended School Year (ESY) services as deemed appropriate.
Travels between school sites.
Seeks regular opportunities for professional growth.
Participates in clinical educational opportunities for students of physical therapy.
Adheres to professional, ethical, and legal standards of practice as defined by the American Physical Therapy Association.
Assumes and fulfills any other responsibilities as assigned by the Executive Director or designee.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Provides direct supervision of physical therapy assistants in accordance with Illinois’ Physical Therapy Practice Act and provides training to special education teachers and paraprofessionals to implement a student's plan as outlined in the IEP.
Current Illinois IDPR Physical Therapist License (this must be maintained as a requirement for employment)
Bilingual skills, preferred.
Must have a valid Illinois Driver’s license and automobile insurance for travel between schools.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
Must be able to maintain confidentiality per FERPA and HIPAA regulations. Obtains necessary releases of information documents prior to exchanges with outside professionals.
Ability to schedule activities flexibly.
Ability to problem solve and generate solutions to create action plans.
Ability to read and interpret qualitative and quantitative student assessment data.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.
Ability to collaborate with professionals across disciplines and families.
Ability to work with students in a school setting.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this job, the therapist is regularly required to talk and hear.
The therapist is frequently required to stand, sit, walk, bend, operate a computer, and reach with hands and arms.
The therapist may occasionally lift and/or move 30 or more pounds, such as equipment, students, therapy bags, files, etc.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, therefore, long term use of computer monitors is required.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.
Work is conducted indoors. This work is normally conducted at one site. On occasion, this work could be conducted at any school district location.
EVALUATION: Job performance is evaluated in accordance to Cooperative guidelines by the Executive Director.
Starting salary range $59,000 to $65,000 (connected to Education and Years of experience)
The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive listing of the duties performed in this position. The individuals currently holding this position perform additional duties and additional duties may be assigned.
Leyden Area Special Education Cooperative is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy and practice of LASEC to decide all matters relating to employment solely on the basis of the applicant’s ability to perform the essential functions of the position. LASEC ensures equal employment opportunities regardless of race, creed, sex, color, national origin, religion, age, or handicap. LASEC has a policy of active recruitment of qualified minority teachers and non-certificated employees. Any individual needing assistance in making an application for this opening should contact the office of the Executive Director
