Physical Therapy Specialist - Disability and Human Development, College of Applied Health Sciences

Physical Therapy Specialist - Disability and Human Development, College of Applied Health Sciences

Hiring Department: Disability & Human Development

Location: Chicago, IL USA

Requisition ID: 1042860

FTE: 1

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 9:00AM - 5:00PM

Shift: Days

# of Positions: 1

Workplace Type: Hybrid

Salary Range (commensurate with experience): $83,570.00 - 90,000.00 / Annual Salary

About the University of Illinois Chicago

UIC is among the nation’s preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie RU/VH research institution, and the largest university in Chicago. UIC serves over 34,000 students, comprising one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation and is designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Through its 16 colleges, UIC produces nationally and internationally recognized multidisciplinary academic programs in concert with civic, corporate and community partners worldwide, including a full complement of health sciences colleges. By emphasizing cutting-edge and transformational research along with a commitment to the success of all students, UIC embodies the dynamic, vibrant and engaged urban university. Recent “Best Colleges” rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, found UIC climbed up in its rankings among top public schools in the nation and among all national universities. UIC has nearly 260,000 alumni, and is one of the largest employers in the city of Chicago.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

Provides direct physical therapy services to individuals with disabilities (clients), working with family, caregivers, nursing home staff, community agency professionals, school professionals, and health insurance case managers as necessary to address the need for complex rehab technology. Manages cases with external partners to achieve successful outcomes. Leads the Assistive Technology Unit's Seating and Wheeled Mobility Group and participates in assessing home modifications and recommending transfer lift equipment. Designs and implements community-based services offered at the ATU and at remote locations (e.g., client homes, Seating Clinic at 55th & Pulaski). Provides direct physical therapy services to individuals with disabilities through the ATU's Home Services Program by evaluating the need for home modifications to ensure safety and ability to age in place in clients' home environments including accessing complex rehab technology and transfer lift equipment and systems.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Designs and implements Seating and Mobility Clinic service structure for clients served under 4 contracts from the Illinois Department of Human Services (Home Services Program, Vocational Rehabilitation, Accessible Housing and Assistive Technology (AHAT) Colbert and AHAT Williams).
• Assesses and evaluates client physical abilities in home, school, and worksite environments, regarding complex rehab technology, specialized seating, lightweight manual mobility bases, powered mobility bases with custom controllers (e.g., head movement, puff-and-sip) and transfer equipment (e.g. ceiling-mounted and floor-based powered transfer lifts, tilt-in-space shower chairs).
• Identifies durable medical equipment and assistive technology needed to address these two areas.
• Provides documentation to request funding from third-party payers for the specified wheelchair and lift equipment.
• Produces letters of justification for review and approval by client’s primary care physician.
• Identifies essential accessibility features which are needed in the client’s home to live independently and safely including but not limited to chair lift and transfer lift systems.
• Investigates, analyzes, and determines the most appropriate combination of complex rehab technology (CRT) related to seating and wheeled mobility and options which will enable the client to maximize their independence and safety.
• Maintains current product information regarding seating and wheeled mobility systems and funding procedures.
• Conducts background research to identify appropriate third-party payers (e.g., State of Illinois – Department of Human
• Services program officers, State of Illinois consent decree-related funding, Medicaid, and/or Medicaid Managed Care) and documents the recommended seating and wheeled mobility system being submitted for prior approval before acquisition or reimbursement after issuance.
• Communicates with third-party payers in response to inquiries.
• Assists with preparation materials and content for presentations and demonstrations give to clients, families, caregivers,
• State of Illinois Department of Human Services project officers, UIC faculty/staff/students on topics such as current research and best practices of seating and wheeled mobility systems, transfer lift equipment, access methods, funding policies, costs and maintenance of devices.
• Contributes modules on complex rehab technology to academic coursework offered by the department.
• Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications Required:

1. Current licensure as a Physical Therapist in Illinois from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation at time of employment
2. Three (3) years (36 months) of professional clinical experience with a minimum of two years in their clinical specialty area
3. Possession of a current/valid American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support CPR Certification.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Minimum of 2 years experience in Assistive Technology
• Education in assistive technology, seating and wheeled mobility, and home modifications
• Assistive Technology Professional (RESNA ATP Certification)

To Apply: For fullest consideration click on the Apply Now button, please fully complete all sections of the online application including adding your full work history with specific details of your duties & responsibilities for each position held. Fully complete the education, licensure, certification and language sections. You may upload a resume, cover letter, certifications, licensures, transcripts and diplomas within the application.

Please note that once you have submitted your application you will not be able to make any changes. In order to revise your application you must withdraw and reapply. You will not be able to reapply after the posting close date. Please ensure the application is fully completed and all supporting documents have been uploaded before the posting close date. Illinois Residency is required within 180 days of employment.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

The university provides accommodations to applicants and employees. Request an Accommodation

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.