DEC - Occupational Therapist

Occupational Therapist

The employee in this position will participate in the development, implementation, and coordination of an occupational therapy program to provide screening evaluation and treatment of students with disabilities. This individual provides support for teachers, administrators, and parents and develops or suggests materials to aid in school/home efforts in meeting the needs of exceptional children.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for providing screenings, assessments, and therapeutic interventions for students with educationally relevant fine motor disorders and developmental disabilities within the school environment in compliance with all federal, state, and local guidelines.
• Selects an appropriate program activity for each student.
• Resolves, independently, problems that arise in the treatment program.
• Administers treatment and evaluates its effect.
• Assists with scheduling, placement, and supervision of COTAs, as needed.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Thorough knowledge of occupational therapy principles, theory, methods, and their proper application, in the educational environment.
• Demonstrates knowledge of normal child development.
• Demonstrates knowledge of general management practices.
• Demonstrates skill in directly providing a wide range of treatment activities to develop and maintain living skills.
• Possesses skills in adapting or designing equipment for individual needs.
• Ability to plan, implement, administer and coordinate an occupational therapy program.
• Ability to plan, coordinate, and conduct on-the-job training and continuing education for a variety of individuals.
• Ability to select and administer appropriate assessment and treatment methods.
• Develops individual treatment goals and activities.
• Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form to a wide variety of audiences.

Distinguishing Features of the Class:

• Participates in IEP meetings to develop individual education programs as needed.
• Instructs and monitors educational personnel and parents in the management of the therapy program.
• Plans, coordinates, and conducts on-the-job training for a variety of individuals (teachers, parents, and school administrators) regarding the best ways to meet their individual educational needs.
• Participates in the Fee for the Service portion of the Medicaid program and maintains all appropriate documentation as instructed.
• Participates in the Medicaid Random Moment Time Study as requested when selected.
• Maintains student files including the development of Individual Education Programs in compliance with federal, state, and local guidelines.
• Plans and manages the occupational therapy program within the school.
• Organizes and manages screenings and evaluations.
• Contributes to the RTI or SSMT process as needed within individual schools.
• Displays the ability to compile a variety of records, reports, and documentary forms for EC services.
• Collects data effectively and provides meaningful follow-up consultation.
• Participates in determining and documenting material needs.
• Maintains clinical and administrative records in accordance with state guidelines and school policy.
• Collects and reports data on IEP implementation and progress.

Other Requirements:

• Attends a variety of staff development activities.
• Inventories equipment, materials, and supplies.
• Guards against conflicts of professional interests.
• Safeguards the confidentiality of students and records.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, lifting, grasping, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions.
• Must be able to perform medium work exerting in excess of 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to life objects.
• Must possess the visual acuity to operate required equipment, use measurement devices, and inspect work for accuracy, thoroughness, and adherence to work standards and instructions.

Desirable Education and Experience:

Minimum of a Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college with a current license as a Certified Occupational Therapist in the state of North Carolina.