Physical Therapist

Requirements

• Minimum of 13-month commitment
• 21 years or older
• Proficient in spoken Spanish
• Licensed in Physical Therapy
• Experience working with children
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team, but can also take initiative and work independently
• Work experience with special needs children
• Must be creative, patience, resourceful, flexible, and have excellent intercultural communication skills.
• Organizational and time-management skills to plan and maintain patient schedule, as well as documentation and reports

Overview

The physical therapist is responsible for providing therapy services to any children in the NPH home requiring them. At any given time there will be between 15 to 20 children on the caseload (this number may vary depending on the home). The majority of the care is generally focused on treatment of our current population, but occasionally there may be evaluations of new children. The current caseload includes children with neurologic and orthopedic impairments or general developmental delays. In addition, physical therapist must participate in other duties as needed, such as educating children and staff on Physical Therapy and engaging children with special needs in activities outside of their daily routine.

NPH children come from many varied backgrounds, and their needs vary greatly. We have children with mental and physical disabilities, infantile paralysis or paralytic polio, blind and/or deaf and children, children who have had serious accidents and amputees.

Several NPH homes have fully equipped physical therapy rooms, and some only offer basic PT resources. The physiotherapist is often called upon to treat big and small aches and hurts. From a sprained finger, to bony ankles, to a post bone fracture treatment to rib contusions, there are always children in need of attention. We provide the children with flexible bandages, mobilize stiff joints and provide care for the best possible rehabilitation and prevention of new injuries.

Our physical therapists also provide preventative care. Other previous physiotherapists have created programs to help diagnose possible weaknesses at a young age and start the treatment as early as possible.

Other Responsibilities

Each volunteer chooses an hogar (group of children of the same age living together) at the beginning of their year. Each home’s Volunteer Coordinator will communicate the expectations for hogar time. Usually, it is six days a week, 6 to 8 p.m., but this might vary per home. This has been described as the most fulfilling part of volunteering, the bond and relationships formed with their hogar of children.

Volunteers have every other weekend off, as well as up to 22 days of vacation time after four months of service. Vacation must be arranged according to the specific home’s policies.

NPH Volunteers must be at least 21 years old and commit for a year.  All NPH volunteers receive room and board, access to medical care, international health insurance, and a modest monthly stipend. NPH USA pays for health insurance (up to $500/year). Volunteers are responsible for paying their transportation to and from the country where they will serve, as well as any pre-trip expenses like vaccines and language school (if needed).

For more information, please write to the Director of International Engagement, Dr. Jennifer Foster, at jafoster@nphusa.org.