Occupational Therapist @ Special Services

Occupational Therapist

The Occupational Therapist serves as an integral member of the special education team, providing direct and consultative services to students with disabilities to support their access to and progress in the educational setting. This position involves assessing students, developing and implementing individualized treatment plans, and participating in the IEP process in collaboration with families, teachers, and other educational staff. The therapist uses evidence-based practices to improve students' motor, sensory, and daily living skills necessary for academic success. The role requires strong communication, collaboration, and professional judgment in delivering services both directly to students and indirectly through staff training and consultation. The Occupational Therapist must meet state certification requirements and maintain professional standards in service delivery, documentation, and continuing education.

Qualifications

1. Certified or eligible for Washington State certification as an educational staff associate endorsed for occupational therapy.
2. Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy from an accredited school of occupational therapy.
3. Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.
4. Related experience or a minimum of a pediatric affiliation with a strong interest in pediatrics is required.
5. Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively with a diverse group of parents, teachers, and administrators in providing direct and indirect services to disabled students in a confidential manner.
6. Demonstrates ability to communicate clearly in written or oral form.
7. Assesses needs of students, prescribes and implements effective lessons to meet those needs through the use of appropriate and current instructional strategies based on best practices.
8. Conducts self in a professional manner through interactions with students and adults, high expectations for student performance, is compassionate but firm when modeling appropriate behavior.
9. Must have record of excellent attendance.

Responsibilities

1. Conduct evaluations and design effective treatment plans for disabled students as defined by WAC 392-172A and properly identified according to district procedures.
2. Evaluate and treat individual children to develop actions in performance skills. The occupational therapist deals with physical and development and is concerned with children's ability to accomplish tasks related to their developmental progress.
3. Participate as a member of a multidisciplinary team in designing and implementing effective treatment programs as determined by the student's individual educational plan.
4. Relate the educational significance of occupational therapy treatments toward assisting in the student's fullest potential and educational growth.
5. Plan and implement an occupational therapy program for identified children to achieve necessary goals within the educational setting.
6. Develop, implement, and evaluate IEP's that focus on assessment data and evaluated student progress using a data based decision-making model.
7. Provide consultation and advisory services to the child's family, health care agencies, and community organizations as needed.
8. Consult, instruct, and monitor the student, family, and other educational staff in occupational therapy procedures as needed.
9. Maintain appropriate written records and reports for each child served and/or assessed.
10. Participate in ordering new supplies, manage the equipment, and adopt repairs as necessary for functional operation of said equipment.
11. Participate in continuing education to ensure continued professional growth, awareness, and development.
12. Maintain professional knowledge and expertise; attend, participate and implement district level program requirements of IDEA, and Statewide Assessment requirements.
13. Perform other job-related duties as requested from supervisor.

Working Conditions / Physical Requirements

1. Be able to lift and a 30 pound object.
2. Be able to work on your feet for long periods of time, including walking both inside and outside.
3. General conditions including but not limited to pushing, pulling, lifting, stooping, bending, and kneeling for durations of time.
4. Be able to work on your knees or bent over to work with students.

The Moses Lake School District #161 does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boys Scouts and other designated youth groups.