Occupational Therapist

Job Title

Occupational Therapist

Job Description

Hacienda La Puente Unified School District is an equal opportunity employer. Hacienda La Puente Unified School District is named as one of the top 50 employers in California for 2020 and our employees have received a combined 12% salary increase for the 2022-2023 years! Apply now to join our team!

We are only accepting online applications. You may apply online by clicking the "Apply" button on this page. If you need assistance applying online, please contact us at View phone number on click.appcast.io.

The position involves providing educationally related occupational therapy services to students with various disabilities according to the student's Individualized Education Program (IEP). The Occupational Therapist participates as a member of the multi-disciplinary team, provides assessment, consultation and direct occupational therapy to students within educational, developmental and functional parameters; develops and implements individual and/or group occupational therapy intervention plans.

Current opening: One 11 month/40 hours per week position. Salary placement will be on Range 48 of the CSEA Salary Schedule. Initial salary placement for new employees is customarily at step 1 ($8,329.24 per month) of this salary range.

Essential Duties

The classification specification does not describe all duties performed by all incumbents within the class. This summary provides examples of typical tasks performed in this classification.

• Conducts assessments of students to determine eligibility for occupational therapy.
• Evaluates and provides occupational therapy services to students with disabilities.
• Develops, coordinates, and implements individual occupational therapy intervention plans that support the IEP goals and objectives.
• Designs, plans, and executes group occupational therapy plans which support the specialized instructional setting.
• Assists with the development of students' transition plans, programs, and goals.
• Records assessments, actions taken, and recommendations made regarding areas of service as required by law, Board policies, administrative regulations, and the Special Education Department.
• Operate a computer to enter data, maintain records and generate reports in consultation with parents and teachers.
• Schedules, plans, and provides occupational therapy programs for students with physical limitations, orthopedic impairment, and/or other areas of concern for the purpose of aiding the students' physical rehabilitation in accordance with IEP goals.
• Trains and serves as a consultant to staff in areas such as sensory motor, sensory stimulation, and body awareness, fine motor skills and other areas within the therapist's area of expertise.
• Provides assistance to staff as part of case management through consultation, training, and individual and group activities.
• Acts as a liaison to District staff, physicians, parents, teachers, students and other agencies in implementing a treatment plan, providing collaborative and consulting services.
• Responds to inquiries and concerns which arise from parents, students, teachers, and staff.
• Maintains a safe and orderly treatment area.
• Monitors, sets up, operates therapy equipment, including hanging, repositioning and adaptation for student use, and instructs multi-disciplinary team in the use and care of equipment.
• Recommends, designs, creates, and assists in acquiring adaptive equipment and special educational tools as needed.
• Provides training, direction, and support to assigned staff as needed.
• Travels to sites/locations throughout the District as required.
• Attends meetings and conferences as required.
• Performs other related duties as directed.

Physical demands include walking, sitting, standing, pushing, pulling, lifting and carrying up to 50 lbs. unassisted and over 50 lbs. with assistance, kneeling or standing for extended period of time, reaching over head, maintaining balance, stooping/bending repeatedly, repetitively using fingers, wrists, or hands in twisting motion or while applying pressure to operate computers and related equipment, using both hands simultaneously, having rapid mental/muscular coordination, speaking clearly, hearing normal voice conversation, having depth perception, having color vision/distinguish shades, seeing small details, driving a vehicle, using a computer and a phone.

Work environment includes working primarily indoors, occasionally outdoors, in direct contact with students, the public and other district staff, with exposure to contagious illnesses, with high volume of work, tight deadlines, and with continuously changing priorities, in the absence of direct supervision, some assignments may require constant attention to protecting physical safety in a classroom where pupils, because of the nature and severity of their disabilities are accident prone, or because of assaultive or self-abusive tendencies could cause serious injury to themselves or others.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Occupational Therapy or a closely related field. A Master's or Doctorate degree in Occupational Therapy is highly desirable. Experience: One year of experience providing occupational therapy services to children (0-22 years old) with disabilities, preferably in a school setting. Special:

• Valid certificate of registration with the National Board Certification of Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).
• Licensed by the California Board of Occupational Therapy (CBOT) to practice as an Occupational Therapist.
• Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License.
• Evidence of adequate insurance for a motor vehicle, which meets or exceeds the California legal liability insurance requirement and continue to maintain insurability.
• Possession of a valid First Aid certificate and Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certificate issued by a recognized training program and kept valid during the term of employment.

Ideal Candidates Will Have

Knowledge of:

• Child development principles, including intellectual, sensory, behavioral, social and emotional growth patterns and physical development of children.
• Educational and developmental needs of students with various disabilities, including the general nature and causes of physical, mental and emotional disabilities.
• Theory of mental and physical rehabilitation underlying the practices of occupational therapy.
• Modern and applicable treatment procedures and modalities for children and young adults.
• Fundamental principles, techniques and accepted trends in the field of occupational therapy.
• Occupational therapy assessment tools and techniques.
• Educational and medical applications of adaptive equipment.
• Generally accepted standards of health and sanitation.
• State and Federal laws and regulations governing special education, including the development of IEPs.
• Health and safety regulations.
• Record keeping and report preparation techniques.
• Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary.
• Basic First Aid and CPR procedures.
• Modern office practices, procedures and equipment.

Ability to:

• Develop, plan, and implement an occupational therapy program for students with various disabilities.
• Properly use materials, supplies, and equipment employed in performing services as an occupational therapist.
• Apply a variety of modern methods, techniques, and practices in occupational therapy including assistive technology.
• Effectively communicate occupational therapy treatment techniques and goals to parents, teachers and other program staff, both individually and as a group.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing to express ideas and instructions clearly to students, special educators, community members, parents and District personnel.
• Work independently with little direction and manage multiple assignments simultaneously.
• Plan and organize work to establish general schedules and meet timelines.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective relationships with various stakeholders.
• Demonstrate an understanding, empathy, patience and receptive attitude toward students.
• Maintain discretion and confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Interpret, apply and explain laws, rules and regulations related to assigned program activities.
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
• Maintain current knowledge of technical advances in the field.

Examination and Application Process

The screening and examination process for this position, which may be subject to modification, is designed to ensure a fair and job-related evaluation of all candidates. The process may include application screening, initial review of qualifications, verification of documentation or certifications, and, in some cases, supplemental application screening. The stated qualifications represent only the minimum requirements and do not guarantee eligibility for examination or placement on an eligibility list.

The examination may consist