Occupational Therapist (School-Based)

Occupational Therapist, School-based

At The Children's Institute of Pittsburgh, we've built our legacy on being amazing. After more than a century of the highest quality care and service to children and their families, we're forever proud of our team members who don't just make a career here they make a difference.

The Occupational Therapist provides school-based occupational therapy services as a related service within an Approved Private School, supporting students with complex educational, behavioral, communication, and developmental needs. The Occupational Therapist evaluates students, develops and implements individualized interventions aligned with each student's Individualized Education Program (IEP), and collaborates with educators, families, and multidisciplinary team members to maximize students' access to the curriculum and participation in the school environment.

Using evidence-based practices, including principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), the Occupational Therapist prioritizes services within natural learning environments whenever appropriate to promote skill development, independence, and generalization. As a member of the educational team, the Occupational Therapist supports student success by fostering functional skills that enable meaningful participation in educational activities and school routines.

Planning and Preparation

Effective Non-Teaching Professional (NTP) plan and prepare to deliver high-quality services equitably to all learners based upon extensive evidence-based knowledge of their discipline relative to individual and systems-level needs and within the context of interdisciplinary collaboration. Service delivery outcomes are clear, measurable, and represent relevant goals for the individual and system.

• Identifies instructional delivery needs and takes steps to seek and receive instructional support.
• Provides Occupational Therapy screenings and evaluations.
• Contributes to student IEPs and attends meetings.
• Integrates The Day School's curriculum into sessions.
• Attends and participates in classroom Team Planning Meetings.

Educational Environment

Effective NTPs assess and enhance the quality of the environment along multiple dimensions toward improved academic, behavioral and social-emotional outcomes. Environmental dimensions include adult-student relationships, staff interactions, security and maintenance, administration, student academic orientation, student behavioral values, student-peer relationships, parent and community-school relationships, instructional and intervention management and student activities. Monitor and adjust interventions based on patient response and progress toward goals.

• Identifies management needs and seeks help in gaining a working command of the elements and techniques of classroom management.
• Demonstrates understanding of effects of family and community on student behavior and performance.

Delivery of Service

Effective NTP service delivery and evidence-based practice originate from a problem-solving process that can be applied at the individual, group, and systems level and is used for: (a) identification of priority areas for improvement; (b) analysis of variables related to the situation, including student needs and backgrounds; (c) selection of relevant factors within the system; (d) fidelity of implementation of services and supports; and (e) monitoring of effectiveness of services.

• Demonstrates competency in both group and individual Occupational Therapy activities.
• Clearly demonstrates competency in delivering individual and group therapy sessions.
• Demonstrates appropriate techniques when working with students.
• Trains, assists, and consults with other members of classroom teams to maximize effective implementation of Occupational Therapy goals throughout the school day.
• Maintain organization of treatment spaces to support student safety, engagement, and participation.
• Monitor, inspect, and maintain adaptive equipment, sensory support, and assistive technology to ensure proper function and safety.

Professional Responsibilities

Effective NTPs have high ethical standards and a deep sense of professionalism, focused on improving their own service delivery in an equitable and inclusive manner and supporting the ongoing learning of colleagues. Their record keeping systems are efficient and effective. NTPs communicate with all parties clearly, frequently, and with cultural sensitivity. These professionals assume leadership roles within the system and engage in a wide variety of professional development activities that serve to strengthen evidence-based practices. Reflection on their practice results in ideas for improvement that are shared across professional learning communities and contribute to improving the practice of others.

• Attends specific instructional strategy training activities.
• Demonstrates understanding of the Occupational Therapy profession.
• Demonstrates compliance with policies and procedures of The Children's Institute.
• Completes all student documentation accurately and within facility time frames.
• Completes all administrative documentation accurately and within given time frames.
• Maintains appropriate, valid, and current Pennsylvania certification and/or licensure, as appropriate.

Qualifications

• Relevant pediatric or school-based occupational therapy experience.
• Must be registered with NBCOT.
• Bachelor's, Master's, MOT, or OTD degree from an accredited Occupational Therapy program.
• Current Pennsylvania Occupational Therapist licensure or eligibility for licensure.
• Current and valid CPR and First Aid certification preferred (training provided if needed).
• Advanced certifications or specialization in pediatric therapy preferred.
• Must successfully complete the following pre-employment clearances:
• Act 34 Criminal Background Check
• Act 33 Child Abuse Clearance
• Act 73 FBI Fingerprinting Background Check

Are you looking for a position where you can make a lasting impact in the lives of children and their families? Are you ready to brighten the future of Amazing Children? We want to hear from you! The Children's Institute of Pittsburgh is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We serve a diverse population of children and families, and we want our workforce to reflect that same diversity. We want all interested individuals to feel welcome in applying for a career at our amazing place we can't wait to meet you! The Children's Institute does not exclude, deny benefits to, or otherwise discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, religious creed, AIDS or HIV status, disability, ancestry, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, union membership, or veteran/military status in employment.

The Children's Institute of Pittsburgh