Occupational Therapist - Specialized Student Services

Forbes names Mesa Public Schools in their list of Best Employers in Arizona for multiple years. East Valley Tribune names Mesa Public Schools as Best Place to Work in East Valley for multiple years.

About the role

To provide our students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to become life-long learners and responsible citizens by developing, planning, and implementing appropriate therapeutic programs for the students of the district.

Responsibilities

• Implements therapeutic activities to address deficits in the area/s of fine motor, visual motor, sensory motor, and visual perceptual as indicated on the IEP
• Directly supervises COTA's and/or Fieldwork Students as per state licensure statutes
• Administers, interprets, and writes up assessments in the areas of fine motor, visual motor, sensory motor and visual perceptual and how these areas affect a student's academic performance
• Instructs students, teachers, parents and other involved persons for the purpose of supporting the student
• Consults with teachers, parents, other personnel and/or outside professionals for the purpose of providing requested information, developing plans (IEP) for services and/or making recommendations
• Participates in meetings, processes, etc. for the purpose of ensuring that state standards and/or federal mandates are achieved
• Prepares a wide variety of written materials (e.g. progress reports, daily treatment notes, Medicaid billing, student activities, correspondence, IEP's, etc.) for the purpose of documenting activities, providing written reference and/or conveying information
• Presents information (e.g. student performance data, and clinical feedback, etc.) for the purpose of communicating information, gaining feedback and ensuring adherence to established internal controls
• Assesses/recommends need for adaptive equipment and/or environmental modifications as needed for successful implementation of a student's functional goals
• Participates/facilitates in meetings, workshops, and seminars for the purpose of conveying and/or gathering information required to perform school-based functions
• Researches resources and methods (e.g. intervention and treatment techniques, assessment tools and methods, community resources, etc.) for the purpose of determining the appropriate approach for addressing a student's functional goals
• Responds to all internal and external customers, as it relates to job, in a prompt, efficient and patient manner
• Conducts evaluations, develops and implements appropriate therapeutic programs for students
• Reassesses and revises programs as necessary as student’s status changes
• Gathers therapeutic equipment and designs specialized equipment as needed
• Plans and conducts in-service activities in occupational therapy
• Accepts responsibility for students’ well-being and safety while they are in employee’s care
• Assists in the maintenance of a quiet and orderly classroom environment
• Assists with other assigned duties as appropriate to the area of assignment and Mesa Public Schools

Requirements

• Must have graduated from an accredited university with a degree in Occupational Therapy and hold a current license from the Arizona Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners. Grandfather Clause for licensure is honored.
• Completion of six to nine months of supervised clinical affiliations
• Health standards and hazards, safety practices and procedures, knowledge of medical and neurodevelopmental conditions commonly seen in a pediatric population, knowledge of various assessment materials for this population and knowledge of positioning devices
• Includes placements in diverse settings, often focusing on pediatrics, physical disabilities, or mental health
• Expertise in sensory processing, motor skill development, and assistive technologies for students
• Experience with individualized education programs (IEPs) is a key competency

Skills

• Models the attributes and skills of the MPS Portrait of a Graduate
• Demonstrates commitment to the MPS Promise that every student is known by name, served by strength and need, and graduates ready for college, career and community
• Understanding of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and 504 Plans
• Collaboration with teachers, special educators, speech therapists, and other staff
• Skilled in using standardized tests and observational assessments to determine students' needs
• Ability to create and implement individualized treatment plans tailored to student needs
• Ability to adapt classroom tools and environments to enhance participation (e.g., assistive devices, sensory-friendly modifications)
• Act as a resource for staff training on therapeutic strategies and accommodations
• Manage a caseload of students, including scheduling, progress monitoring, and documentation
• Creative approaches to addressing challenges in diverse and often resource-constrained environments
• Sensitivity to students' emotional and developmental needs

Benefits

• Sick leave, holidays, matched retirement through the Arizona State Retirement System, health, and life insurance
• Performance Pay Available annually
• New Hire Experience: $500 for each full-time year of certified teaching or verified like experience
• New Hire Education: $65/hour of graduate level credits: BA +45 hours max, MA +60 hours max, $1000 for advanced degrees

Pay

Base Salary $78,370.00

Schedule

• Full-time
• Calendar Certified Exempt, 191 workdays

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Workspaces include general education classrooms, special education rooms, therapy rooms, playgrounds, and sometimes hallways or cafeterias
• Work hours align with the school day, but preparation and documentation may extend beyond standard hours
• Exposure to sensory-rich environments (e.g., noisy classrooms, visually stimulating spaces)
• Frequent movement between classrooms, therapy spaces, and other areas of the school
• Occasionally lifting or moving light to moderately heavy equipment, such as therapy tools, assistive devices, or adaptive furniture
• Ability to exert 10-30 lbs. of force, to lift, push, pull or otherwise move objects