Occupational Therapist

Position Summary

To assist in the development, implementation, and coordination of the school district's occupational therapy program for students with disabilities or physical/mental impairments, while developing individualized programming based on occupational performance deficits activities of daily living, including personal care, interaction skills, community integration, work, and communication.

Essential Tasks And Responsibilities

• Implement the school district's occupational therapy program within the school district, including philosophy, vision, procedures and goals
• Screen, evaluate and monitor students with disabilities or physical mental impairments for the purpose of providing educational programs, therapeutic intervention, and transition and exit planning
• Enhance the student's ability to perform activities of daily living
• Collaborate with staff to ensure team understanding of student occupational performance strengths and needs, as well as student outcomes
• Evaluate the student's ability and formulate the student's occupational profile
• Provide written reports that reflect strengths and barriers to student participation in the educational environment and guide evidence-based intervention
• Participate in the development of Individualized Education Programs
• Provide targeted, evidence-based therapeutic intervention to facilitate student participation and occupational performance within the school environment
• Axess the need for assistive technology and equipment and make recommendations for its use at school to help students function as independently as possible
• Document occupational therapy services
• Maintain records in accordance with school district policies, as well as state and federal laws and regulations
• Supervise Occupational Therapy Assistants if needed
• Select and administer appropriate assessment tools to evaluate the student
• Plan, coordinate, and conduct continuing education for school staff, parents, and students
• Continue to acquire professional knowledge and learn of current developments in the educational field by attending seminars, workshops or professional meetings, or by conducting research
• Perform other related tasks as assigned by the Director of Special Programs, the building administrator and other central office administrators as designated by the Superintendent

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Knowledge and use of occupational therapy theories, models of practice, principles, and evidence-based practice to guide intervention decisions
• Knowledge of Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), Section 504, and other federal and state laws and regulations regarding education and students and physical therapy practice in schools
• Knowledge of computer skills as needed for work
• Ability to effectively communicate both in verbal and written skills
• Ability to travel to school district buildings and professional meetings as required
• Ability to organize and coordinate work
• Ability to engage in self-evaluation with regard to performance and professional growth
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others contacted in the course of work

Qualifications

• State Certification to practice as evidenced by current state licensure as an Occupational Therapist
• Bachelors from an accredited college or university in related field required
• Graduation from an accredited program of occupational therapy recognized by NBCOT
• Successful prior experience working as an Occupational Therapist, preferably in an educational or other pediatric practice setting
• Successful completion of all background checks

Note

Note: The above description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities. It is not meant to be all inclusive of every task or responsibility.