Physical Therapist (PT)
Compensation
Pay not listed
The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed
Ask the employer about the pay range, the work setting, call expectations and time off.
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
Physical Therapist Career Context
In Connecticut, the Physical Therapy weighted monthly median benchmark on WeekdayDoc is ~$100k (214 salary observations; 879 listings), vs ~$94k nationally (13,008 salary observations; 66,534 listings). Monthly aggregates cover 2026-01-01 through 2026-11-01; these are not the modal's selected comparable-job medians.
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).
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Work-life score | 7.2 / 10 · top 10% in physical therapy | ranked against 22,012 Physical Therapy listingslisting-based score, 0–10 |
| Connecticut vs national | $100k median in Connecticut | $94k nationally (+6%)214 state / 13,008 national salary observations |
| Cost of living | Connecticut index 103.6 | US average = 100BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Physical Therapy listings in Connecticut | 295 active | 22,004 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 2% remote · 40% no call · 62% no weekends50 benchmarked listings |
| Sign-on & loan repayment | not stated | Connecticut physical therapist listings (all specialties): 25% state a sign-on bonus (median $10k) · 7% offer loan repayment338 active listings, Nov 2026 |
| New Physical Therapy listings | 7,905 in the last 30 days | 4,365 the 30 days before (+81%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Physical Therapy pay trend | +1.6% vs prior quarter | —through Oct 2026 |
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 10% in Physical Therapy — ranked against 22,012 active Physical Therapy listings on WeekdayDoc.
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