26/27 SY Occupational Therapist Assistant (ESS)

Occupational Therapy Assistant

Provide therapy treatment sessions and therapeutic support as defined by an occupational therapist to eligible students enrolled in special educational programs and 504 plans.

Essential duties and responsibilities:

• Prepares for and provides educationally relevant, data driven therapeutic activities or strategies in the educational environment for eligible students to achieve objectives as defined by the occupational therapist (OT).
• Uses appropriate methods and techniques to accomplish objectives and presents them in an orderly progression.
• Recognizes, monitors and provides for individual student differences in response to occupational therapy activities and adjusts provision of services accordingly.
• Serves as a resource to teachers, educational staff and parents to problem-solve and create therapeutic strategies to enhance environmental access and participation in learning for all students.
• Provides appropriate equipment/assistive technology to meet the needs of students for treatment sessions and classroom participation as described in the individualized educational plan (IEP) or 504 plan.
• Provides occupational training to teachers/staff with guidance of supervising OT.
• Assists in data collection and confers with supervising occupational therapist for the reporting of students' progress and to update IEP present level data and information for educational plan goals/objectives.
• Assists in data collection and may administer sections of assessment under direction of supervising OT for evaluation of students to determine appropriate treatment therapies to achieve objectives.
• Maintains documentation (i.e. weekly therapy logs to include Medicaid billing and 504 service logs, attendance records, progress data collection as necessary) to provide written verification of sessions and to provide ongoing progress monitoring.
• Travels between sites, as assigned, to perform therapeutic activities.
• Seeks information needed to perform/improve job functions by attending department meetings, continuing education opportunities and/or in-services.
• Plans for and supervises OTA interns as indicated.
• Establish and maintain good rapport with students, employees, community members and vendors.
• Maintains a high level of ethical behavior and confidentiality.
• Other job related duties as assigned.

Education/certification:

• AA degree or higher in an accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant program
• License in Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA/L) issued by the Arizona Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners
• Additional certification with the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (COTA) is preferred.
• Obtain and maintain a valid Arizona Identity Verified Prints (IVP) Fingerprint Clearance Card (AZ IVP FPCC).
• Possession of a valid Arizona driver's license at time of appointment, and throughout employment. Proof of current auto liability insurance at the time of appointment and throughout employment. Personal transportation for job-related travel.

Experience:

• Job related experience or clinical fieldwork in occupational therapy.
• Pediatric experience is preferred.
• Experience working with school aged children for a year or more is preferred.

Knowledge of:

• Medical/surgical/pediatric information and indications/contraindications to occupational therapy treatment.
• Knowledge of rules and regulations of state licensure, including ethical and legal responsibilities that apply to occupational therapy practitioners in the educational setting.
• Reading and interpreting general documents such as employee handbooks and safety/training manuals.
• Effective writing, speaking skills, organization, time management and collaborating with school staff.
• Basic principles of critical thinking and application of analysis.
• Knowledge of best practice trends, emerging technologies and basic understanding of specialized equipment relevant to the area of assignment.

Skill in:

• Effective communication (verbal and written).
• Adapting and modifying school activities to support student access and participation.
• Organizing/maintaining records and work samples.
• Maintaining student behavior in a positive and constructive manner.
• Taking precautions to protect students, equipment, materials and facilities.
• Researching industry trends, solutions and best practices.
• Establishing rapport and maintaining effective working relations with co-workers, supervisors, vendors, students, parents, the general public, and other business associates of the school district.
• Operating a personal computer utilizing a variety of relevant software applications including proficiency in electronic documentation.

ADA and other requirements:

Positions in this class require: stooping, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions.

Light work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.

Working conditions: Work is routinely performed in an indoor classroom/office environment. May require some work in the field with moderate exposure to travel.