Occupational Therapist (OT) - School Based

About the role

Metro Therapy, Inc (a Powerback Rehabilitation company) has been serving the educational and developmental needs of pediatric populations throughout the greater New York City area for over thirty years. We provide employees with comprehensive benefits and compensation, access to clinical support teams, and career growth opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Implement treatment plans and programs through consistent daily and weekly schedules focused on functional and measurable outcomes to be shared with the school and/or supervisors.
• Initiate new program development with a focus on needed functional outcomes.
• Deliver specialized individual and group occupational therapy instruction as mandated in students’ Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).
• Collect data and complete reports regarding student goals and progress.
• Consult with other professionals (teachers, SLP, PT, PCP, etc.) on the student’s treatment team to ensure a cohesive and comprehensive therapy team.
• Assess and document each student’s progress through formal and informal tests and measurements.
• Write and prepare annual review reports and goals for each student in accordance with their IEP dates and requirements to remain in compliance with state guidelines.
• Provide occupational therapy expertise when developing FBAs/BIPs.
• Provide parent and caregiver support and education to discuss the student’s progress and strategies for continued support outside of school.
• Attend all school-related meetings as scheduled, including Triennials, Annual Reviews, Domain, Referrals, IEP, and pre-IEP meetings for each individual student.
• Ensure a suitable learning environment by setting up and preparing materials and supplies as needed.
• Provide screenings and evaluations to determine requirements for skilled occupational therapy intervention relative to the client’s level of function, including ADLs (dressing, bathing, grooming, bed mobility, transfers, hygiene, feeding, school function, home management), range of motion, strength, positioning, contracture management, home assessments, discharge planning, and development of maintenance programs.
• Supervise COTA(s) in accordance with state practice act guidelines, as needed.
• Communicate and follow up with the school and families to request appropriate physician signatures/orders for school-based occupational therapy referrals to initiate and continue services.
• Follow safety guidelines and directives for the student regarding functional mobility and orientation (transfers, wheelchair/walker mobility, etc.) and exercises provided by other related service providers (PT, vision itinerant, hearing itinerant, SLP, orientation and mobility instructor, etc.).
• Utilize communication devices and assistive technology as outlined by the Speech Language Pathologist and itinerants.
• Follow fire drill or safety guidelines outlined by the school.
• Provide and complete documentation to maintain quality of therapy records related to reimbursement guidelines, accuracy of billing information, and school requirements.
• Coordinate and/or participate in training programs for students, school staff, and families.
• Participate in school trainings, in-services, and professional development opportunities.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Requirements

• Appropriate State License.
• NYSED Certification: Teacher of the Speech and Hearing Handicapped (TSHH) OR Teacher of Students with Speech and Language Disabilities (TSSLD).
• For some preschool referrals, willingness to work with medically fragile students.

Pay

$70.00 – $90.00 per hour.