OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

Occupational Therapist (Otr/L)

Student Support Service Job Opening

School Assignment To Be Determined

Starting Salary - $69,992.88 186-Days, Following School Calendar

Responsibilities:

• Provides therapeutically appropriate individual and group occupational therapy services for children with a variety of medical and developmental disabilities in accordance with students Individual Education Plans (IEPs).
• Schedules and coordinates student therapeutic sessions to implement therapy programs focused on achieving educational goals and objectives as outlined in students' Individual Education Plans (IEPs).
• Provides classroom strategies for teachers, parents, and paraprofessionals who service students requiring OT services for academic-based tasks.
• Selects activities that will assist students learn life-management skills within limits of their mental and physical capabilities.
• Conducts occupational therapy evaluations to determine students' need or continuing need for school-based services.
• Evaluates students' progress and prepares detailed progress reports as needed.
• Develops and implements IEP goals according to OT best practices.
• Develops and maintains effective communication with all team members (student, family, teachers, and other related service personnel) to represent OT needs and contribute to the development of OT-related services.
• Consults with other school district personnel to select activity programs and coordinate occupational therapy with other therapeutic activities.
• Consults with members of PPT team when making recommendations for treatment, adaptations, modifications, and other supports to educational program based upon clinical judgment and best practice guidelines.
• Provides training and supervision for school district personnel in therapy techniques and objectives for students as required.
• Attends and participates in Assistive Technology meetings, Planning and Placement meetings, and family training meetings.
• Selects and recommends assistive technology equipment/materials and/or accommodations and modifications in order to enhance the student's participation in the general education setting.
• Maintains current on occupational therapy best practices and research.
• Provides adequate and appropriate supervision and consultation to certified occupational therapy assistants (COTA/L) and occupational therapy students as required.
• Other duties as assigned by School District administrative personnel.

Qualifications:

• Licensed and registered as an occupational therapist (OTR/L) in accordance with State of Connecticut regulations. Certification by the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) preferred.
• Superior organizational, oral and written communication skills.
• Experience in the development and presentation of professional development initiatives.
• Ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with staff, students, parents and community representatives.
• Experience in supervising certified occupational therapy assistants (COTA/L).
• Demonstrated commitment to department "team" concept and the success of the organization.
• Ability to meet deadlines as required.
• Demonstrated ability to provide good attendance and punctuality on a daily basis.
• Ability to travel to and service students at more than one school location during the workday.
• Knowledge of a Special Education (IEP/504) policies and procedures preferred.
• Computer literate.

This job description is not, nor is it intended to be, a complete statement of all duties, functions, responsibilities, qualifications, physical, and cognitive, which comprise this position. The above is intended to be a fair representation of the "typical" demands of the position. In all cases, these relationships, functions, and their applications are subject to change by the Superintendent.

*This position is in accordance with the Agreement between the City of Bridgeport and the Connecticut Laborer's District Council for the Bridgeport Public Employees Union Local 1224 (LIUNA). The salary to commensurate with experience and qualifications. Current BPS employees in the LIUNA Bargaining Unit will be given first opportunity to fill the position.

It is the policy of the Bridgeport Board of Education not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, present or past mental disorder, mental retardation, or learning ability, in any of its education programs, activities, or employment practices. The Bridgeport Board of Education is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.