Meliora Academy logo
Meliora Academy
Meriden, Connecticut

Physical Therapist (PT)

Physical Therapist Top 25% in Physical TherapyFull-Time

Compensation

Pay not disclosed

Listing transparency1 of 6 stated

Ask the employer about the pay range, the work setting and call expectations.

Employment & setting
Full-Time
Call expectations
Not specified
Weekends
Not specified
Posted 1mo ago

Job Description

At Meliora Academy, we provide individualized education for students with autism and related challenges, focusing on academics, life skills, and independence. Guided by collaboration, evidence-based practice, and whole-child support, we help students grow with confidence. Join us and make a difference every day.

We are seeking a compassionate, collaborative, and innovative Physical Therapist to join our team. In this role, you'll empower students to improve mobility, balance, strength, coordination, and independence through individualized, evidence-based interventions that support success both in and beyond the classroom.

What You'll Need

  • Graduate of an accredited Physical Therapy program.
  • Current Connecticut Department of Public Health licensure as a Physical Therapist.
  • Current Safety-Care, First Aid, and CPR certifications (or ability to obtain upon hire).

Clinical knowledge and experience evaluating students and developing individualized treatment plans in a school-based setting.

  • Experience working with neurodiverse students and students with autism and related developmental disabilities.
  • Ability to lift, push, pull, and move up to 60 pounds.
  • Excellent communication, collaboration, organizational, and documentation skills.

What You'll Do

Conduct comprehensive physical therapy evaluations to assess students' functional abilities and educational needs.

Develop, implement, and adjust individualized treatment plans aligned with each student's educational goals and Individualized Education Program (IEP).

Provide direct physical therapy services focused on improving strength, mobility, balance, coordination, endurance, and functional independence.

Conduct assessments and contribute to Planning and Placement Team (PPT) meetings and the development of IEP goals.

Collaborate with teachers and related service providers to integrate motor goals into classroom routines and daily school activities.

Monitor student progress and modify interventions based on data and student outcomes.

Maintain accurate, timely, and Medicaid-compliant documentation, including evaluations, treatment notes, progress reports, and annual reviews.

Educate school staff and families on positioning, mobility, adaptive equipment, and strategies that promote student independence, participation, and safety.

Attend professional development opportunities, in-service trainings, and team meetings to remain current on best practices in pediatric and school-based physical therapy.

  • Review current research and evidence-based practices to ensure high-quality therapeutic services.
  • Why You’ll Love Working Here
  • Enjoy both paid time off and extra paid school breaks (for select roles), plus paid holidays
  • Wellness perks including gym discounts, mindfulness apps, and prescription savings
  • Tuition reimbursement, career development programs, and leadership training
  • 401(k) retirement savings with a 4% company match and immediate vesting
  • Health, dental, and vision insurance
  • Free Employee Assistance Program with confidential counseling, life coaching, and mental health resources
  • Life insurance, disability coverage, and Health Savings Account (HSA) contributions at no cost to you

Meliora Academy is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you require reasonable accommodations during the application or interview process, please contact us at talent@newstory.com.

Key Responsibilities

The Physical Therapist will conduct comprehensive evaluations and develop individualized treatment plans to improve students' mobility, strength, and functional independence. They will collaborate with teachers and families to integrate motor goals into classroom routines and ensure compliance with educational standards.

Requirements

Candidates must be graduates of an accredited Physical Therapy program and hold current Connecticut Department of Public Health licensure. Experience working with neurodiverse students and proficiency in school-based therapeutic interventions are required.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Pediatric physical therapyIndividualized treatment planningIEP developmentMobility assessmentStrength trainingCoordination therapyData monitoringSchool-based therapyAutism support

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Physical Therapist (PT) at Meliora Academy a 7.2 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as very good. This places the position in the top 25% in Physical Therapy — ranked against 21,484 active Physical Therapy listings on WeekdayDoc.

Physical Therapist Career Context

In Connecticut, the Physical Therapy weighted monthly median benchmark on WeekdayDoc is ~$101k (69 salary observations; 201 listings), vs ~$93k nationally (4,390 salary observations; 15,589 listings). Monthly aggregates cover 2026-01-01 through 2026-09-01; these are not the modal's selected comparable-job medians.

Of the 50 active Physical Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 2% are remote, 44% have no call, 76% require no weekends.

Physical Therapy pay on WeekdayDoc is down 2.6% vs. the prior quarter (through Aug 2026).

The cost-of-living index for Connecticut is 103.6 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 62.6% of Connecticut clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Physical Therapist Jobs

50 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution50 jobs · 41 employers

23
<$115k
13
$115k-135k
9
$135k-155k
5
$155k-175k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks44 jobs · 41 employers

401k / retirement match
84% this job
CME allowance
70%
Sign-on bonus
43%
Loan repayment
20%
Relocation assistance
7%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Pelvic Health Physical Therapist (Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation)

Aizer Health · Monroe, New York

starting at $80/hour
#2

Physical Therapist- Visits

BAYADA Home Health Care · Waipahu, Hawaii

$70-$80/hr
#3

Physical Therapist (PT)

$80/hr
#4

Physical Therapist (PT)

$70-$75/hr
+ 48 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

7.2/ 10
Listing-based score

Top 25% in Physical Therapy

Living in Meriden

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$354k
Typical market rent
$1,903/mo
Residents’ average commute
23 min
State income tax
Up to 7%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

Meliora Academy logo

About Meliora Academy

Education
Meriden, Connecticut
11-50 employees

Benefits & Perks

Paid time off
Paid school breaks
Paid holidays
Wellness perks including gym discounts, mindfulness apps, and prescription savings
Tuition reimbursement
Career development programs
Leadership training
401(k) retirement savings with 4% company match and immediate vesting