Occupational Therapist

About the role

The Occupational Therapist (OT) at The Joshua School is responsible for providing targeted, evidence-based therapeutic intervention to address sensory integration, gross and fine motor, and consult to teachers as needed for activities of daily living within the school environment. In collaboration with the Lead Teacher and Program Director, the OT provides student-specific recommendations that promote independence in accessing the learning environment.

Responsibilities

• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings to review evaluation results, integrate findings within students' overall programs, offer recommendations, and develop individual plans to improve sensory integration, fine and gross motor skills and consult with teachers as needed for activities of daily living.
• Develop occupational therapy-based intervention plans based on student needs and evaluation results, specifically to address sensory integration, fine and gross motor, and consult with teachers as needed for activities of daily living deficits that impede learning in current school/vocation settings.
• Develop small group and dyad activities for students in the areas of sensory integration, fine and gross motor.
• Use Behavior Skills Training to coach Lead Teachers, Instructional Assistants, family members, and other team members to implement occupational therapy recommendations and strategies.
• Provide legal and ethical supervision of Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) assuming responsibility for the students served by assistant.
• Evaluate each student's abilities and formulate each student's OT profile through records review, formal and informal assessments, skilled observation, and interviews. Synthesize intake evaluation results into a brief written report which reflects strengths and barriers to student participation in the current school/vocational setting.
• Document student progress by tracking service minutes, analyzing data for OT-related IEP objectives, and providing recommendations for changes in programming based on progress or lack thereof.
• Maintain clinical and administrative records in accordance with professional standards, state guidelines, and school system policies.
• Attend regular classroom leadership meetings with Lead Teacher, Program Director, and transdisciplinary service team (weekly/monthly)
• Attend classroom clinical meetings at least twice per month.
• Attend, participate in, and develop/present staff development and training as appropriate.
• Attend IEP meetings, and participate in IEP and BIP development and implementation as needed.
• Attend student home visits if requested by Lead Teacher or Program Director
• Maintain inventory of school-wide OT materials.
• Discuss any equipment or material needs with Program Director to identify space in the budget.
• Provide legal and ethical supervision of COTA, assuming responsibility for the students served by assistant.
• Adhere to federal and state legislation, regulation, and policies that affect occupational therapy practice.
• Be a positive role model for students, families, and co-workers.

Qualifications

• A commitment to working with children from 6 years to 21 years of age with developmental disabilities.
• Required: Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy, Clinical Certification of Competence, and License to practice.
• Preferred: Minimum of 2 years' experience with children with autism and/or developmental disabilities.
• Experience with disabilities relating to autism, Fragile X Syndrome, Down Syndrome, other Developmental Disabilities.
• Minimum age of 21.
• Mature and reliable.
• Good driving record and valid Colorado driver's license.