Occupational Therapist

Occupational Therapist

Science Academies of New York Charter Schools is looking for an Occupational Therapist to join our team for the 2024-2025 school year. The School-Based Occupational Therapist provides specialized therapy services to students within the school environment, focusing on enhancing their ability to perform daily activities and achieve educational goals. This role involves assessing, planning, and implementing therapeutic interventions to support students with a range of physical, sensory, and cognitive challenges.

Key Responsibilities:

Assessment and Evaluation:

• Conduct comprehensive assessments to evaluate students' fine motor skills, sensory processing, visual-motor integration, and overall functional abilities.
• Collaborate with teachers, parents, and other school professionals to gather information about students' needs and challenges.
• Develop and implement individualized education plans (IEPs) or 504 plans as needed.

Intervention and Therapy:

• Design and deliver tailored therapeutic interventions to address students' specific needs, such as improving hand-eye coordination, sensory processing, or daily living skills.
• Create and adapt learning materials and classroom environments to support students' participation and success.
• Provide direct therapy services in individual or group settings as appropriate.

Collaboration and Consultation:

• Work closely with teachers, special education staff, and other professionals to integrate therapy goals into the classroom environment and daily routines.
• Provide training and support to teachers and staff on strategies to accommodate and support students with diverse needs.
• Consult with families to offer guidance on strategies to support students' development and progress at home.

Documentation and Reporting:

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of therapy sessions, assessments, and progress reports.
• Prepare and present reports for IEP meetings, parent conferences, and other school-related functions.
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations, standards, and best practices in occupational therapy.

Professional Development:

• Stay current with developments in occupational therapy, educational practices, and relevant research.
• Participate in ongoing training and professional development opportunities to enhance skills and knowledge.

Skills:

• Strong knowledge of occupational therapy practices, developmental psychology, and educational strategies.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for interacting with students, parents, and school staff.
• Ability to develop and implement effective therapy plans and interventions.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

Working Conditions:

• Typically work within a school setting, including classrooms and therapy rooms.
• May require occasional travel between multiple schools or to home visits.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to perform activities such as lifting, bending, and reaching.
• Capability to engage in physical activities that support therapy and student participation.

What we can provide:

• Excellent benefits package including medical, dental, vision, long-term disability, employee assistance program and more!
• Enrollment in the NYS Teacher Retirement System (TRS) or 403b employer match
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Competitive salary
• Bonus & Incentive Programs
• Professional development opportunities. Coaches and mentors in every building!

What you need:

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred; NYS Certification required
• Experience with a diverse population of students or in an urban setting a plus
• Prior teaching experience preferred and novice teachers encouraged to apply!
• Fingerprint clearance through NYS Department of Education

Equal Opportunity Employer

Science Academies of New York is committed to maintaining a working and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or those who participate in an equal opportunity investigation.