Occupational Therapist - District

Title: Occupational Therapist - District

Reports To: Special Education Coordinator, Director of Federal Programs


Employment Status: Full Time


FLSA Status: Exempt


Qualifications:

1. Valid and appropriate license from the Ohio Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Athletic Trainers (OTPTAT) Board.


2. Valid and appropriate license through the Ohio Department of Education (ODE).


3. Graduation from an academic program accredited by the Accreditation of Council for Occupational Therapy (ACOTE).


4. Record of good attendance and strong work ethic.


5. Evidence of good moral character as established in section 3301-20-01 of the Ohio Administrative Code.


6. Ability to maintain confidential information.


7. Ability to use technology for data collection and student database.


8. Willingness to work with students, staff and community members.


9. Prior related work experience required and above average evaluations.


10. Willingness to participate in future training.


11. Willingness to follow assigned work schedule.


12. Certified in Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI).


13. Registered with the National Board of Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)


14. Knowledge of the updated Ohio Policies and Procedures for Special Education.


15. Ability and willingness to provide services to special education students in multiple settings (resource room, inclusion, ect...).


16. Knowledge of effective strategies that utilize various modalities to promote learning with special education students.


17. Knowledge of how to integrate technology into the curriculum.


18. Knowledge and experience with the IEP process (assessment, goals, implementation, evaluation).

19. Strong commitment to involve parents in the educational process.


20. Willingness to meet the needs of all students (e.g. at-risk, high achieving, special education).

21. Ability to communicate with students, parents, teachers, counselors, and administrators.


22. Willingness to work in school sponsored and school related activities.


23. Knowledge of safety regulations and precautions for work environment.


24. Experience working with a culturally diverse student population preferred.


25. Alternatives to the above qualifications that the Board of Education may find appropriate.


General Description:

Occupational Therapy is to help the IEP team in assisting students in benefiting from their special education placement. Under federal law, IDEA (Individuals with Disability Education Act), educationally related occupational therapy serves as a supportive role in helping the student participate and benefit from special education due to an identified disability that interferes with their ability to perform daily life activities and participate in the educational environment. Educationally related occupational therapy services are school based and directed toward adapting the environment, modifying functional tasks, addressing elements of fine motor deficits and sensorimotor performance and supporting staff in their efforts to educate the student.


Helps students to learn subject matter and skills, which will lead toward the fulfillment of their potential for intellectual, emotional, and psychological growth. Directs and evaluates the learning experiences of the students in activities sponsored by the school.

Essential Functions:

1. Performs screeners and develops occupationally based intervention plans based on a student's needs.


2. Develops and maintains an environment conducive to effective learning within the limits of the resources provided by the district.


3. Supervises and directs Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTA)


4. Assesses students' physical abilities in an educational environment by gathering data in such areas as sensory integration, visual perception, and visual motor, and developmental function, self-care related to education, fine motor function, behavior, endurance and postural tone.


5. Employs a variety of instructional techniques and instructional media and technology, consistent with the physical limitations of the location provided and the needs and capabilities of the individuals or student groups involved.


6. Strives to implement by instruction and action the district's philosophy of education and instructional goals and objectives.


7. Takes all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials and facilities. 8. Evaluates student progress on a regular basis.


9. Maintains accurate, complete and correct records as required by law, district policy and administrative regulation.


10. Prepares and submits appropriate documents for monthly medicaid billing--please add 11. Assists in upholding and enforcing school rules, administrative regulation and Board Policy. 12. Synthesizes evaluation results into a comprehensive written report which reflects strengths and barriers to student participation in the educational environment.


13. Attends and participates in faculty meetings.


14. Cooperates with other members of the staff in planning instructional goals, objectives and methods.

15. Develops occupational based intervention plans based on student needs and evaluation results.


16. Participates in multidisciplinary meetings to review evaluation results, integrate findings with other disciplines, offer recommendations and develop individual education plans and intervention time to achieve IEP goals.


17. Manages inventory of therapeutic equipment and assessments.


18. Establishes and maintains cooperative relations with others.


19. Provides for his/her own professional growth through an ongoing program of workshops, seminars, conferences and/or advanced course work at institutions of higher learning.


20. Maintains clinical and administrative records in accordance with professional standards, state guidelines and school policy.


21. Provides legal and ethical supervision of occupational therapy assistants and assuming responsibility for the students served by the assistants.


22. Adheres to federal and state legislation, regulation and policies that affect occupational therapy practice.

23. Communicates as needed with all staff to ensure a team approach to problem solving.


24. Helps maintain safety and security in the building.


25. Accesses and responds to electronic communication (i.e., website, email, voice mail,etc.) daily.


Service Delivery

1. Provides therapeutic intervention to facilitate student participation and occupational performance within the educational environment.


2. Adapts and modifies the environment including assistive technology and trains instructional staff to meet individual needs and to help students function as independently as possible.


3. Promotes maximum independence by selecting and constructing therapies according to the individual's physical capacity, intelligence level and interest.


4. Monitors and reassesses the effect of occupational therapy intervention and the need to continue, modify or discontinue intervention.


5. Documents occupational therapy services to ensure accountability of service.


6. Uses appropriate and current assessment instruments pertinent to area of school based therapy. 7. Participates in screening processes as requested.


8. Provides parents with educationally relevant home programs as appropriate.


9. Contacts and reports to physicians and agencies as requested.


Other Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Serves as a role model for students in how to conduct themselves as responsible citizens.


2. Helps instill in students the belief in and practice of ethical principles and democratic values.

3. Remains compliant with district policies regarding alcohol and substance use/abuse. (ie: PO 3122.01 and PO 3170)


4. Reports absences into the online reporting system.


5. Conducts all work in a safe and responsible manner.


6. Conducts other duties as assigned by the Director of Federal Programs.


Additional Working Conditions:

1. Occasional exposure to blood, bodily fluids and tissue.


2. Occasional operation of a vehicle under inclement weather conditions.


3. Occasional interaction among unruly children.


4. Occasional lifting and carrying of 15-30 pounds.


5. Repetitive hand motion (e.g. computer keyboard)


6. Frequent interruptions of duties by students, visitors, staff and/or telephone.


Title: Occupational Therapist

This job description in no manner states or implies that these are the only duties and responsibilities to be performed by the position incumbent. The incumbent will be required to follow the instructions and perform the duties required by the incumbent's supervisor, appointing authority, or designee.