Location & Practice Overview

The position is based in the Peoria area and supports Skill Sprout’s rehabilitative services across greater Central Illinois. Care is delivered through a multi-disciplinary pediatric organization that combines clinic-based sessions with community outreach.

Practice Setting Pediatric developmental and rehabilitative services
Service Context Physical therapy added as a dedicated service line within the existing rehab program
Care Delivery Clinic sessions combined with community and family outreach
Region Peoria and greater Central Illinois

Responsibilities

  • Conduct evaluations and provide direct intervention for clients with physical disabilities and developmental delays.
  • Create measurable functional goals that reflect parent priorities for treatment.
  • Prepare letters of medical necessity and coordinate with physicians and vendors so families can obtain needed mobility and ambulation equipment.
  • Design home exercise programs and educate parents to support skill carryover outside of sessions.
  • Mentor therapists new to the profession or to pediatrics and create internal trainings that strengthen trans-disciplinary referrals.
  • Partner with rehabilitation leadership on recruitment, provider outreach, program development, and ongoing consultation with internal and external clinicians.

The role also includes advising administrative staff on current evidence-based physical therapy methods and using positive reinforcement and basic behavioral strategies to support client learning during sessions.

Qualifications & Requirements

Applicants must meet Illinois licensure standards and demonstrate solid pediatric developmental experience suitable for building clinical capacity in a multi-disciplinary setting.

Degree
Master’s degree in Physical Therapy (minimum)
Licensure
Active Illinois Physical Therapist license in good standing
Pediatric Experience
Minimum two years working with children who have developmental delays
Developmental Knowledge
Clear understanding of typical childhood gross motor development and ambulation
Early Intervention
Evaluator-level credential for the Illinois Early Intervention System or eligibility to obtain it
Professional Skills
Comfortable using technology for documentation and communication; strong written and verbal skills; ability to work independently and collaboratively

Compensation & Benefits

Pay reflects the specialized pediatric and developmental focus of the role in the Central Illinois market.

  • Compensation: $85,000–$110,000 per year
  • Full-time position
  • Specific benefits package not listed in the available posting; candidates should confirm details directly with the employer

Schedule & Work Environment

Status Full-time
Primary Locations On-site clinic work and community-based visits in the Peoria area
Travel Expectation Regular travel within greater Central Illinois
Team Structure Multi-disciplinary rehabilitation and developmental services team

Patient Population & Clinical Setting

The caseload consists of pediatric clients who receive developmental and rehabilitative supports through Skill Sprout programs in Central Illinois.

Population Children experiencing developmental delays and physical disabilities
Primary Needs Gross motor delays, mobility limitations, and challenges with ambulation
Family Role Parent priorities guide goal setting and treatment planning
Care Continuum Clinic-based treatment supported by home programs and community coordination

Clinical Focus & Key Services

The clinical work centers on pediatric gross motor development, functional mobility, and ambulation within a multi-disciplinary developmental model. Care follows a clear sequence from evaluation through family-supported intervention and equipment coordination.

Core Clinical Work Evaluation and direct intervention for physical disabilities and developmental motor delays
Motor Emphasis Gross motor skill progression and functional ambulation
Equipment Coordination Documentation and vendor coordination for mobility and ambulation devices
Family Support Home exercise programming and parent education to reinforce clinic gains

Role Highlights

This position differs from a standard pediatric physical therapy role because the therapist helps establish and grow the service line itself while carrying direct clinical and mentoring responsibilities.

  • Direct opportunity to help launch and shape physical therapy as a new service line inside an established multi-disciplinary pediatric program
  • Formal mentoring of therapists who are new to the field or new to pediatrics
  • Active participation in program development, internal training design, recruitment support, and provider outreach across Central Illinois
  • Routine collaboration with physicians, equipment vendors, rehabilitation leadership, and both internal and external clinicians to support continuity of care
  • Integration of positive reinforcement and basic behavioral strategies into physical therapy sessions to support client performance and learning

About Skill Sprout

Skill Sprout is a pediatric services organization that has provided educational, behavioral, and rehabilitative supports since 2009. The organization serves children and young adults across a range of abilities through clinic-based and in-home programs, primarily in Illinois. Care is organized around individualized, family-centered plans designed to support progress and independence for each family served.

Organization Focus Educational, behavioral, and rehabilitative services for children and young adults
Established 2009
Service Mix ABA, occupational therapy, speech therapy, diagnostics, social skills programming, and expanding rehabilitative services
Delivery Model Clinic-based and in-home services centered in Illinois
Care Philosophy Individualized plans developed with families to support functional progress and independence

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a standard treatment-only physical therapy position?
No. In addition to direct evaluation and intervention, the role includes helping establish the physical therapy service line, mentoring newer therapists, developing internal trainings, and supporting outreach and program growth.
What does the Early Intervention requirement involve?
Candidates must hold or be eligible for an Evaluator-level provider credential through the Illinois Early Intervention System.
How much travel should I expect?
Some regular travel within greater Central Illinois is part of the role to support clients, equipment coordination, and outreach activities.
Who does the Physical Therapist typically collaborate with?
Collaboration occurs with parents and caregivers, physicians, equipment vendors, rehabilitation leadership, other therapists within Skill Sprout, and external clinicians as needed for continuity of care.
Does the position include mentoring responsibilities?
Yes. The therapist is expected to mentor colleagues who are new to physical therapy or new to pediatric practice and to help develop internal training resources.
How are treatment goals determined?
Goals are functional and measurable, and they are established using the priorities identified by the child’s parents or caregivers.

Physical Therapist in Peoria, IL

Skill Sprout is hiring a full-time Physical Therapist in the Peoria area to provide pediatric evaluation and intervention while helping establish physical therapy as a dedicated service line. The role combines direct clinical care for children with developmental delays and physical disabilities with mentoring, program development, and outreach across greater Central Illinois. Candidates need a master’s degree in physical therapy, an active Illinois license, at least two years of pediatric developmental experience, and either an Illinois Early Intervention Evaluator credential or eligibility to obtain one. Work takes place in clinic and community settings and includes parent education, home exercise programming, equipment coordination with physicians and vendors, and collaboration with a multi-disciplinary team. Compensation is $85,000–$110,000 per year. The position offers a practical opportunity to shape clinical services while delivering family-guided care focused on gross motor development, mobility, and functional ambulation.

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