Physical Therapist

DescriptionTemporary Position – January through June 2027

Cooke School and Institute is seeking a Physical Therapist for a temporary assignment from January through June 2027, based at our 1713 Madison Avenue location in New York City. This is a fixed-term opportunity to support our students and school community during the designated assignment period.

Summary of Duties and Responsibilities

The Physical Therapist, a Related Service Provider (RSP), is responsible for providing direct and indirect service to students and staff consistent with the integration and collaboration model of the Cooke School. In this capacity, it is expected that the Physical Therapist will establish collaborative relationships with parents, partner schools, and Cooke colleagues to ensure successful inclusion for Cooke students. The Physical Therapist’s responsibilities include:

Assessment and Direct Service to Students

Interpret assessments in order to determine level of functioning and needs of each child
Conduct ongoing informal assessments in the classroom and coordinate professional practice with pedagogic staff
Utilize a variety of activities to meet students’ needs as determined by informal and formal assessment
Utilize knowledge of content area to effectively serve students
Maintain ongoing communication with classroom teachers and parents about progress of the students
Attend team meetings prepared with information about the students being discussed
Collect and assess student homework for portfolio using portfolio guidelines and assessments
Meet typical physical demands of therapeutic service provision as required for domain

Planning and Record Keeping

Develop Progress Reports on each student in conjunction with classroom teacher and other team members
Create plans consistent with Progress Report goals for each child
Maintain narrative logs for each child
Maintain attendance records for each child
Complete monthly documentation relevant to the number of sessions given to each child
Ensure that make-up sessions are provided

General Professional Responsibilities

Initiate and foster good working relationships with teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators, and parents
Attend all planning meetings with the teachers and monthly meetings with each classroom team
Participate in all Progress Report meetings convened at the school level
Attend and participate in all Cooke meetings and workshops
Arrive at assigned site and meetings promptly and be prepared for daily assignment
Prepare documents, when necessary, for Committee on Special Education (CSE) meetings and, if applicable, impartial hearings
Adhere to carefully planned schedules
Utilize supervisor for guidance, discussion, collaboration, professional and self-growth
Develop professional growth goals with supervisor and create and implement a plan to reach the agreed-upon goals
Staff training is an integral part professional development at Cooke. All staff must at a minimum: attend all scheduled Staff Development activities throughout the year and participate in staff orientation scheduled for the last week in August

Education and Experience

Valid and current License and/or Certification to practice in New York State
Ability to provide your National Provider Identification (NPI) number

Physical Requirements

Able to maintain the physical capacity required to navigate the school environment and to ensure the safety of the students; the ability to…

walk, run, sit, and stand
move rapidly forward, backward, and laterally
bend and stoop
push, pull, and lift

Professional Development

All Cooke staff are responsible for developing a professional growth plan with their supervisor. Staff training is an integral part of the Cooke School and as such is a requirement of the job. All staff must at a minimum: attend all scheduled Staff Development activities throughout the year and participate in staff orientation scheduled for the last week in August.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Statement

The Cooke School and Institute provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Cooke complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

The Cooke School and Institute expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Cooke’s employees to perform their expected job duties is not tolerated.