Physical Therapist

Title: Physical Therapist
Reports to: Program Manager
Department: Early Start Arleta
Location: 14061 Terra Bella St., Arleta, CA 90232 and in clients’ homes
FLSA Status: Exempt/B
Compensation: $70,304 to $85,056 annually DOE
Program Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm or 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Supervisory Responsibility: None

Who We Are:
ECF was founded in 1946 by a group of parents and community activists who sought to establish a day training program as an alternative to institutional care for individuals with developmental disabilities. For the last 75 years we have worked to improve the lives of children, youth and adults in the Los Angeles County area by offering a wide range of experiences and opportunities to encourage individuals to discover and develop their unique talents and abilities. The mission of ECF is to provide the highest quality services for children and adults who are challenged with developmental, learning, and emotional barriers — empowering them to reach their greatest potential.

POSITION SUMMAY:
Under the supervision of the program manager, assist in evaluating and developing an appropriate treatment method for consumers ages birth to three years of age. Ideally, we would like a fulltime candidate, but we would be open to a part-time PT if the availability makes sense for our client and family needs.

Essential Duties:

• Provide comprehensive physical therapy case management for all eligible clients. Perform initial client evaluation by utilizing appropriate evaluation techniques/ tests and performing advanced clinical tests as necessary to determine eligibility for Regional Center services. Identify relevant problem areas, abnormal findings and notify appropriate personnel in order to facilitate appropriate intervention. Organize and implement a home exercise program for all clients receiving physical therapy services.
• Gather pertinent information regarding client’s condition by performing on-going evaluations and set realistic goals based upon evaluation findings. Identify special needs of child and request consultation regarding diet and nutrition or medical problems. Perform ongoing client evaluation, reassessing client’s status and modify treatment plan as appropriate.
• Ensure ongoing documentation is completed within program guidelines and accurately reflects current client status, treatment modalities, techniques, response to treatment, changes in client status, and advanced skill level being utilized in evaluating client progress and response to treatment. Document client treatment and participate in patient conferences.
• Upon completion of treatment plan, implement 1:1 and group treatment sessions, and actively attempt to motivate client’s participation in treatment.
• Communicate information about child and the techniques used in handling him to other staff members and to parents on a daily basis and in parent/infant sessions. In staff meetings with other team members plan parental approaches and courses of action to deal with specific parent/child difficulties.
• Attend staff meetings and in-service sessions. Provide input/training to site staff and provide gross motor information as needed. Provide staff training/development as needed. Act as clinical instructor, supervisor for PT Aides and students.
• Function as a member of the trans-disciplinary team. With other team members and parents, develop referral sources for children after three years of age. This may include visits to other programs and schools to assess appropriateness of curriculum for child’s developmental level. Assist child and family during the transition period. Evaluate children who have left the program as part of follow-up study if and when required.
• Organize and implement a continuing program of parent education, dealing with special topics of parental concern as they arise, by site.

Other Duties:

• Comply with ECF’s Injury and Illness Prevention Program. Ensure safe use and operation of tools and/or equipment.
• Comply with ECF policies and procedures, including mandated reporting requirements.
• Observe regular, on-site work hours.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Education/Licenses/Certifications: Bachelor of Science degree from a Physical Therapy program accredited jointly by the American Physical Therapy Association and the American Medical Association. California License in Physical Therapy.

Experience: One year as a Physical Therapist working with children ages birth to three years of age.

Knowledge/Abilities/Skills:

• Ability to communicate effectively using tact and diplomacy at all times.
• Ability to take the initiative and use sound judgment when making decisions.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to react quickly to emergencies.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Good organizational skills and a high level of initiative.
• Computer skills required for report writing.
• Basic knowledge of the skills of the other team members.
• Bilingual skills a plus (English/Spanish or English/Armenian)

REQUIREMENTS:

• Driving is an essential function of this position. Proof of valid California driver’s license, reliable transportation, evidence of state-mandated car insurance, and insurable driving record are required. While driving for work, should a need arise, the employee’s insurance is deemed primary and ECF’s coverage is secondary.

  Driving Disclaimer- Employees driving for company business must maintain a clean record and operate vehicles safely and responsibly. Company vehicles will be monitored and activity recorded. Violations of the driving policy may result in disciplinary action, including suspension of driving privileges, reassignment, or termination

• Provide evidence of a negative TB test initially and every three years thereafter.
• Pass a pre-employment physical.
• Obtain and maintain First Aid and CPR certification.
• Maintain Physical Therapy license.

BENEFITS

• Competitive salary
• Paid Sick Time, Paid Vacation Days and Holidays with full time employment.
• Employer paid contribution to Medical, Dental, Vision plans and Basic Life Insurance.
• Mileage reimbursement.
• 401k and Employer contribution

This is a program for infants and toddlers (age’s birth to 36 months) who have varying degrees of learning, behavioral, emotional, and developmental disabilities. Employee may encounter children who are in crisis, exhibiting emotional/psychological distress, or behaving in an aggressive manner. Work is performed at the center and in the child’s home. Environment may include frequent interruptions, loud noise, odors, varying indoor temperature, and drafts. Outdoor temperature and weather will vary. Employee may not be in a room alone with a child unless the door or blinds are open. Children must never be left unattended.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential responsibilities and functions of the job and are not meant to be all inclusive. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential responsibilities and functions of the job.

• Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and to use standard office equipment, including a computer, and to attend meetings at various sites.
• Ability to communicate in person and over the telephone.
• Require the use of hands to produce records and/or documentation in manual or electronic format.
• Regular use of vision to read printed materials, computer screen, and supervise children.
• Regularly required to bend, squat, reach, kneel, stand, walk, sit, and push/pull and lift equipment and children up to 30 lbs.
• Regularly required to travel to various sites within Los Angeles County.
• Ability to implement First Aid and CPR.

Equal Opportunity Employer:
Exceptional Children’s Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. We are on a mission to support independence, belonging and community. We strive to build a culture that is safe, respectful, fair, and supportive of all employees. We are proud to employ people of all backgrounds who possess the talent, energy, and focus to accelerate our vision forward.

Employment with Exceptional Children’s Foundation, aka ECF is at-will employment which means that ECF or the employee may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause, and with or without advance notice. ECF holds the right to modify the terms of employment, including but not limited to, job descriptions, duties, schedules, compensation, work locations, procedures, guidelines, practices or employee benefit programs with or without advance notice. I acknowledge and understand that the at-will nature of my employment relationship with ECF can only be changed by an express written agreement signed by the President/CEO of ECF and me.