OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

Occupational Therapist

Under the direction of the site administrator, the Occupational Therapist provides assessment consultation to parents and teachers and offers direct treatment for children with disabling conditions.

Essential Functions:

• Prepares and maintains records and reports as required for compliance with various state, federal, and administrative regulations
• Assesses student performance in activities that are meaningful, curriculum-oriented, and applicable to daily life routines
• Identifies student abilities and educational, developmental, or functional needs with the IEP team and develops long and short-term goals and objectives
• Develops a therapy intervention plan that supports the IEP goals, objectives, and outcomes and implements this plan in appropriate settings and curricula
• Coordinates the implementation of goals and outcomes with the IEP team
• Documents findings, actions taken, and/or recommendations made regarding service areas and maintains records as required by the Department and identified by program needs
• Assists in the development of student transition plans, programs, and goals
• Develops and implements training opportunities and in-services for educational staff, parents, and administrators
• Devises a treatment program aimed at improving identified areas of function related to the student's academic needs
• Attends meetings and conferences and travels to various work sites as required
• Performs other related duties as required

Qualifications for Employment:

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of intellectual, sensory, and physical development of young children; techniques used in the assessment and treatment of disabilities
• Educational and developmental needs of young children with specific disabilities
• Applicable treatment modalities and theory for the pediatric population
• Occupational therapy techniques commonly used with the severely and physically disabled population
• Physical and psychological problems of the severely and physically disabled population and their families, and normal growth and development of children
• Ability to plan, organize and conduct an occupational therapy program for neuromuscular and/or orthopedically involved children
• Make accurate assessments of the developmental status and educational needs of young children
• Work collaboratively in multi-disciplinary teams
• Work collaboratively with parents effectively communicate occupational therapy treatment techniques and goals to parents, teachers, and other program staff
• Apply occupational therapy techniques in the treatment of children with disabilities
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing
• Work independently
• Establish general schedules and priorities
• Perform complex or varied tasks
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships
• Comply with the school's customer service standards

Education and/or Experience:

Required: Valid Nevada Teaching Certificate for Speech and Language Impairment. Applicant must be able to withstand a State of Nevada law enforcement background check. Experience/Education: Any combination equivalent to: Graduation from an occupational therapy program accredited by the American Medical Association; training in sensory integration testing and techniques is desirable; and experience in occupational therapy with children with disabilities in a variety of settings, including school, home, and clinics; some experience working as a member of a multi-disciplinary team including working collaboratively with families. Valid registration by the American Occupational Therapy Association.

Physical Demands:

The physical and mental requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Strength, dexterity, coordination, and vision to use keyboard and video display terminal for prolonged periods. Strength and stamina to bend, stoop, sit, and stand for long periods of time. Dexterity and coordination to handle files and single pieces of paper; occasional lifting of files, stacks of paper or reports, references, and other materials. Some reaching for items above and below desk level. Some reaching, bending, squatting, and stooping to access files and records is necessary. The manual dexterity and cognitive ability to operate a personal computer using word processing and databases. Involves hearing and speech to communicate in person or over the telephone. Light lifting (up to 25 pounds) is occasionally required. In compliance with applicable disability laws, reasonable accommodations may be provided for qualified individuals with a disability who require and request such accommodations. Work is performed under the following conditions. Exposure to climate controlled classroom settings to outside weather with temperatures ranging from mild/moderate to extreme cold/heat. May involve exposure to noise levels ranging from moderate to very loud and occasional to frequent time periods. May involve work in crowded environments. Hazards: Classroom furniture, playground/office equipment, communicable diseases, chemicals (as related to specific assignment), and power/hand operated equipment and machinery (as related to specific assignment). Blood-Borne Pathogens: An encounter with blood or other bodily fluids may occur in this line of work. You will be expected to know and follow the safety steps in the safety training provided annually. Employee's Acknowledgment: I acknowledge that I have read the above job description and have received a copy for my records.