OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST Eligibility Pool (Special Education)

About the District

The Elk Grove Unified School District (EGUSD) is the fourth-largest school district in California, located in southern Sacramento County. EGUSD covers 320 square miles and includes 62 traditional public schools, five alternative education schools, an adult school, one charter school, and a virtual academy. The district offers a multitude of educational programs, including over 60 career-themed academies and pathways within 13 industry sectors, preparing students for college and career by supporting them to be creative problem solvers; self-aware, self-reliant, and self-disciplined; technically literate; effective communicators and collaborators; and engaged in the community as individuals with integrity.

EGUSD integrates rigorous academics with career-based learning and real-world workplace experiences, ensuring that every student is learning, in every classroom, in every subject, every day to prepare college, career, and life-ready graduates.

About the Role

Under the direction of an assigned Director, provide appropriate services to assist students with conditions that are mentally, physically, developmentally, or emotionally disabling to promote their basic educational program; provide training and consultation to staff and parents.

Responsibilities

• Respond to requests for services and screen students to determine need for referral and intervention.
• Gather and interpret data to evaluate student needs as a basis for treatment planning.
• Interpret evaluation findings to parents, IEP, and instructional teams.
• Develop intervention plans including measurable goals and objectives with strategies for meeting them.
• Implement and coordinate intervention plans directly or through training and supervision of parents, instructional personnel, and certified occupational therapy assistants.
• Monitor student response to intervention and modify strategies as indicated to attain goals.
• Identify and evaluate adaptive equipment to assist students in self-care and academic activities.
• Provide training, direction, and supervision for ancillary staff as required.
• Develop appropriate home or community programming to maintain and enhance the performance of students in their natural environments.
• Recommend termination of service when benefit has been achieved.
• Document evaluation results, treatment, and follow-up, submitting these and other required reports in a timely fashion.
• Assist in developing transition plans for students moving to other environments.
• Work cooperatively with personnel from other agencies providing services to the student or family.
• Participate in professional growth activities in special education and in pediatric occupational therapy.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Knowledge and Abilities

• Child growth and development.
• Common disabling conditions of children.
• Theory and practice of occupational therapy as it applies to infants, children, and youth.
• Strategies and methodologies in educational settings.
• Special education law relative to occupational therapy services.
• Recordkeeping and report preparation techniques.
• Principles of supervision and training.
• Modern office practices, procedures, and equipment.
• Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary.
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and courtesy.
• Oral and written communication skills.
• Operation of a computer and assigned software.

• Administer appropriate assessments.
• Interpret history and assessment data.
• Design and implement appropriate intervention strategies.
• Interpret, apply, and explain applicable laws, codes, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Perform special handling of physically disabled children or youth requiring strength and dexterity.
• Train and supervise the performance of assigned personnel.
• Attend workshops and conferences to enhance base knowledge of pediatric occupational therapy.
• Prepare and maintain accurate and complete records, files, and reports.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.
• Work confidentially with discretion.
• Plan and organize work.
• Maintain consistent, punctual, and regular attendance.
• Hear and speak to exchange information in person or on the telephone.
• See to read a variety of materials.
• Move hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university with a major in occupational therapy.
• Two years of experience in occupational therapy with a primary focus on pediatric clients.
• Valid California driver’s license.
• Valid certificate of registration issued by the American Occupational Therapy Association.
• Personal transportation for job-related travel.

Benefits

• Full-time Occupational Therapists earn 23 days of vacation each school year. Vacation accrual is prorated for less than full-year and less than full-time employees. All accrued vacation is cashed out by the end of the school year.

Refer to the collectively bargained contract between Elk Grove Unified School District and National Union of Health Care Workers (NUHW) for additional details.