Part Time Pediatric Physical Therapist Cajal Academy Inc - 5.0 Norwalk, CT Job Details Part-time | Full-time $60 - $135 an hour 23 hours ago Benefits Health insurance Dental insurance Paid time off Vision insurance Qualifications Collaborate with healthcare professionals Teamwork Trauma-sensitive practices Relationship building (classroom management strategies) Teacher collaboration Physical Therapy Interpersonal skills Client rapport building Working with pediatric populations Master's degree Working with students Physical Therapy License Pediatrics Multidisciplinary team collaboration for treatment planning Child & youth therapy Pediatric physical therapy Full Job Description Part-Time Pediatric Physical Therapist Unique opportunity for an experienced pediatric physical therapist to join an expert, multidisciplinary team in an innovative nonprofit school that integrates physical therapy into the educational experience — without the administrative hurdles of most school-based positions.

Compensation:

$60-$135/hour, based on education, experience, and clinical expertise The Role and Clinical Model Cajal Academy is seeking a licensed Physical Therapist to join our multidisciplinary clinical team on a part-time basis . Cajal Academy is a small, private nonprofit school dedicated to developing and implementing research-backed, neuroscience-based educational approaches. Co-founded by an experienced occupational therapist, Cajal Academy "connects the dots" between data from children's normed assessments and their learning, motor development, and social-emotional growth. We identify specific neurocognitive and neurophysiologic skill deficiencies and apply clinical treatment approaches to build foundational skills from the ground up — beginning with retained primitive reflexes and foundational motor skills and progressing toward higher-order academic and social-emotional tasks. At the same time, we help students develop the neurological and physical skills they need to self-monitor, self-manage, and self-advocate for their regulatory and physiologic needs. For students with joint hypermobility, connective tissue disorders such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, and other musculoskeletal differences, we integrate manual therapy, strengthening, movement strategies, and education to help students understand and manage their physical needs within the school environment. PT is at the center of this work, not on the periphery . This is an opportunity to collaborate closely with experienced educators and professionals in OT, psychology, and neuropsychology while practicing full-scope pediatric PT within an integrated, whole-child educational model. The Student Body Cajal Academy students have very high analytical reasoning and/or creative problem-solving abilities. Our students have a range of motor planning, learning, social-emotional, neurophysiological, and/or chronic medical needs. This includes first-of-their-kind programming for underserved cohorts of high-intellect students, including students with dyspraxia and heritable connective tissue disorders such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Cajal Academy is not a behavior-management or ABA school and does not implement ABA approaches. We do not accept students who are physically aggressive toward staff or peers. About Cajal Academy Cajal Academy was co-founded by an occupational therapist and a social entrepreneur, with direction from a recognized neuropsychologist. Together, we developed a novel approach that moves beyond accommodation to address the underlying skills that may contribute to children's disabilities and learning challenges. PT and OT therapies are integrated into academic lessons, and students learn to understand and leverage the connections between their neurophysiology, learning, and social-emotional experiences. Cajal Academy was granted Candidacy status by NEASC in June 2023 and is working toward full accreditation. Responsibilities This is a unique opportunity to become meaningfully embedded within our academic programming while maintaining the flexibility of a part-time clinical position. The Physical Therapist will participate in identifying and addressing students' physical therapy needs and contribute to the team's understanding of how these needs relate to each student's broader psychoeducational profile.

Responsibilities may include:

Providing direct 1:1 and small-group physical therapy Providing co-treatment and push-in therapy within classrooms Conducting standardized clinical assessments to benchmark and track student progress Participating in interdisciplinary case conferences with OT, neuropsychology, and academic staff Collaborating with teachers to integrate movement and physical-development strategies into academic lessons Supporting the development and implementation of individualized movement programs Helping students understand and utilize personalized physical and self-regulation strategies Communicating regularly with the clinical and educational team regarding student progress Contributing clinical expertise to student planning and interdisciplinary problem-solving Implementing Cajal Academy protocols for student services Maintaining compliance with all state regulations concerning PT licensure and certification Clinical Approach Treatment at Cajal Academy may incorporate: Developmental and neurodevelopmental PT Reflex integration Sensory-based movement approaches Motor planning and praxis Postural control and core strength Balance and coordination Gross motor development Strengthening and endurance Joint stability and body mechanics Movement strategies for students with hypermobility Manual therapy when clinically appropriate Proprioceptive and vestibular input Body awareness and interoception Functional movement within academic activities Classroom-based movement integration Training will be provided in Cajal Academy's proprietary Body-Informed Learning methodology and other approaches that may be new to the therapist. What Makes This Position Different Unlike many traditional school-based PT positions, this role is designed to allow the therapist to focus on clinical practice and meaningful student outcomes rather than administrative case-management responsibilities . You will not be expected to manage a large district-wide caseload or spend the majority of your time navigating school-based administrative requirements. Instead, you will work directly with a small population of students and collaborate closely with an experienced interdisciplinary team. This is genuine interdisciplinary integration — not a consult-and-leave model. Requirements Master's or Doctoral Degree in Physical Therapy required Active Connecticut Physical Therapist License required Pediatric physical therapy experience required Strong ability to build rapport with children Strong clinical reasoning and analytical skills Intellectual curiosity and willingness to think creatively Willingness to learn approaches outside of traditional PT training Ability to collaborate effectively with OT, psychology, neuropsychology, and educational professionals Commitment to a trauma-informed approach Commitment to reflection, feedback, and continuous professional development Current authorization to work in the United States Preferred Experience Experience in any of the following is particularly valuable: Pediatric neurodevelopment Dyspraxia Motor planning and coordination disorders Retained primitive reflexes Joint hypermobility Connective tissue disorders Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Sensory processing Postural control Balance and coordination School-based or classroom-integrated PT Manual therapy Functional movement assessment However, specific technique experience is not required . We are more interested in finding a pediatric PT who is an excellent clinician, connects naturally with children, thinks creatively, and is excited to learn. The Ideal Candidate We are looking for a Physical Therapist who is: A creative problem solver Intellectually curious Clinically thoughtful Comfortable working with complex pediatric presentations Passionate about the relationship between physical development and learning Able to build authentic relationships with children Comfortable working as part of a highly collaborative team Open to approaches that extend beyond traditional PT training Reflective and receptive to feedback Excited about helping children understand and advocate for their own bodies Schedule This is a part-time position , with scheduling designed to provide flexibility while allowing the therapist to become meaningfully integrated into the Cajal Academy team. The number of hours and weekly schedule can be discussed based on the therapist's availability and the needs of the school. Opportunities may include a combination of: Individual treatment sessions Small-group sessions Classroom push-in/co-treatment Assessments Team collaboration Student planning and consultation Compensation $60-$135 per hour , commensurate with education, experience, clinical expertise, and responsibilities. How to Apply Interested applicants should complete the Employment Application available on the Cajal Academy website and submit a resume and three professional references. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. We look forward to meeting a Physical Therapist who is excited to rethink what pediatric physical therapy can look like when it is truly integrated into a child's education.

Pay:

$60.00 - $135.00 per hour

Benefits:

Dental insurance Health insurance Paid time off Vision insurance

Physical Setting:

Private school Application Question(s): Please describe any prior pediatrics experience

License/Certification:

Physical Therapy License (Preferred)

Work Location:

In person