Physical Therapist - Assistive Technology Clinic

Position: Physical Therapist - Assistive Technology Clinic

Position Location: Peoria Service Center, 507 E. Armstrong Avenue, Peoria, IL

Position Schedule: The Peoria Service Center clinic hours are Monday through Friday 8:00am - 6:00pm

Position Type: Part time; Non-Exempt/Hourly

This role is specific to serving as a Physical Therapist in our Assistive Technology Clinic 1-2 days per week. Any additional work hours would be spent serving as a Physical Therapist for outpatient pediatric rehabilitation and/or early intervention services.

About Us: Easterseals Central Illinois is a trusted leader in pediatric therapy, empowering children with developmental delays, disabilities, and special needs to reach their fullest potential. We are seeking a passionate Physical Therapist to join our collaborative team, offering a variety of specialized services designed to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and their families.

• Assistive Technology Clinic: Partner with vendors and funding sources to assess, recommend, and procure adaptive mobility devices, such as wheelchairs and standers, aimed at promoting children's independence and mobility.
• Early Intervention Services: Work with children under the age of 3 in natural environments like homes, daycares, and community spaces, providing physical therapy alongside occupational, feeding, and speech-language therapy to support key developmental milestones.
• Outpatient Pediatric Rehabilitation: Play a crucial role in an interdisciplinary team providing outpatient treatment to children and their families. Your work will focus on improving motor skills, balance, coordination, and overall physical function to enhance daily activities and quality of life.

Why Join Easterseals Central Illinois?

Professional Growth and Mentorship:

• Ongoing mentorship from experienced therapists to help you develop new skills and advance in your career.
• Access to specialized training in areas like assistive technology, early intervention, aquatic therapy, orthotics, and serial casting to expand your clinical expertise.
• Opportunities to grow within the organization, with pathways for advancement into leadership roles or specialized certifications.

Innovative Tools and Technology:

• Use advanced therapeutic tools such as specialized sensory integration equipment and body-weight support systems to enhance your therapy sessions.
• Access cutting-edge software for documentation and treatment planning, streamlining your workflow and allowing more time for client care.

Inclusive and Supportive Team Environment:

• Be part of a supportive, family-oriented culture that fosters collaboration, where your ideas and contributions are valued.
• Work with a diverse team of professionals who share a passion for making a difference in the lives of children and families.

See the Impact:

What Sets Us Apart:

• A Mission with Impact: For over 100 years, Easterseals Central Illinois has been dedicated to helping children with special needs and their families. With 75 affiliates nationwide, our work impacts more than a million individuals annually.
• Balanced Work-Life: Set schedules with no nights or weekends, ensuring a healthy work/life balance.
• Documentation Time Included: 60% productivity requirement allows for paid documentation time during work hours. Even if a client cancels, you are paid for your time.
• Collaborative, Multi-Disciplinary Approach: Work with an interdisciplinary team of Occupational, Physical, Speech, and Feeding Therapists, as well as behavioral and counseling professionals, to provide the best holistic care for our clients.
• Accreditation & Recognition: Easterseals Central Illinois holds an 8th consecutive CARF accreditation for Pediatric Specialty Outpatient Rehabilitation, demonstrating our commitment to the highest quality of care.

Compensation and Benefits:

Compensation for this position falls within the range of $60,320 - $72,800 annually (equivalent to $29.00 - $35.00 per hour). The final offer may be structured as either an hourly rate or a salary, depending on the role classification, and will consider several individualized factors including relevant experience, scope and responsibilities of the role, qualifications and credentials, talent availability and specialization, and organizational needs. This range is subject to change in the future.

Compensation is just one component of the total rewards package offered for this role. Easterseals Central Illinois offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the well-being of our team members:

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
  • Vacation, Sick, and Personal time
• 401(K) with employer match
• Professional Development & CEU Allowance
• Easterseals qualifies for the Public Student Loan Forgiveness program

All benefits are subject to eligibility, terms, and plan guidelines.

Position Objective: The Physical Therapist functions as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team, providing Assistive Technology, early intervention, and medical rehabilitation services to clients and their families. The Physical Therapist evaluates clients referred to Assistive Technology Clinic, establishes equipment recommendations and goals, collaborates with client families/vendors/funding sources to obtain equipment, and educates families on equipment use and safety. The Physical Therapist also evaluates clients referred to the Center, established treatment goals, and designs and implements specific treatment programs for individuals. The Physical Therapist assigns and supervises treatment programs to be carried out by support personnel where appropriate.

Job Functions:

Assistive Technology Clinic

• Completes Assistive Technology Clinic evaluations in conjunction with vendor to assess, trial, and recommend adaptive mobility devices, such as wheelchairs, gait trainers, and standers aimed at promoting children's independence and mobility.
• Composes Letters of Medical Necessity to justify adaptive mobility equipment recommendations from Assistive Technology Clinic for reimbursement.
• Provides Assistive Technology Clinic fittings of adaptive mobility devices, including client/family education on equipment use and safety, and follow-up as appropriate for clients served.
• Maintains communication between vendors and funding sources regarding status of equipment recommendations, denials, and appeals.

Outpatient Pediatric Rehabilitation/Early Intervention Services

• Completes initial evaluation and evaluation report(s) for each client. Establishes individualized therapy goals and generates data for Plan of Care, identifying appropriate treatment diagnoses and therapy recommendations.
• Completes progress notes every three to six months or as required.
• Provides direct therapy with a focus on client and family priorities addressing functional limitations and participation in daily activities and family routines at service centers, natural environments, and or by telehealth.
• Participates in parent/guardian Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) and multidisciplinary and caregiver meetings. Attends medical staffing/case studies to participate in interdisciplinary team discussions.
• Reports cancellations and no shows to the scheduling team for proper documentation and action. Accurately completes documentation and billing in EHR following payer guidelines.
• Develops and instructs family members in home program activities and revises as necessary. Provides parent/guardian/family training during the session regarding HEP and therapy strategies.
• Participates as needed or requested in the smooth transition of an individual to a public school program or other placement as necessary. Corresponds with physicians and other professionals involved in the care/treatment of the client/family as necessary and documents in EHR.
• Attends program services meetings, discipline meetings, rehab staff meetings, case studies, and in-services.
• Completes competencies and maintains established departmental policies and procedures, safety and infection control standards, quality assurance, and accreditation standards of the Center.
• Ensures that all requirements for credentialing and licensure are maintained (e.g. Early Interventions credentialing, CPR, Illinois license, certification).

Marginal Responsibilities:

• Mentors new staff members as requested.
• Fulfills contractual obligations as requested.
• Participate in additional clinics (ex. Orthotics) as requested.
• Supervises clinical students and Physical Therapist Assistants as requested.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education/Experience Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university with a degree in Physical Therapy is required.
• Must be licensed in the State of Illinois or eligible for licensure.
• Illinois Early Intervention credential or eligible for credential (preferred)
• Experience helping clients obtain assistive technology equipment and writing letters of medical necessity (preferred)

Easterseals Central Illinois is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Easterseals is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, call 309.686.1177.