Occupational Therapist

Occupational Therapist

Under limited supervision, provides professional services to help students overcome or compensate for deficiencies in occupational performance areas and gain optimum benefit from District special services programming. Reports to the Director of Special Services and assigned Principal.

Essential Job Functions:

• Evaluates referred students by assessing range of motion, muscle strength, tone and sensory systems, fine motor skills, self-help skills, oral-motor skills and visual-perceptual skills as indicated.
• Administers standardized tests as appropriate.
• Communicates evaluation results to parents and teachers.
• Coordinates, with members of a multi-disciplinary team, individual strategies, accommodations and the use of adaptive equipment.
• Plans, coordinates and provides occupational therapy treatment sessions based on evaluation findings and recommendations; trains students in the appropriate use of adaptive equipment.
• Prepares and submits accurate and complete documentation of all assigned cases; prepares daily progress notes, quarterly Medicaid summaries of progress, and IEP updates as required by law and District policy.
• Selects, orders and maintains adaptive equipment for individual student needs.
• Communicates with school personnel and parents as needed to discuss student progress and concerns.
• Participates as a member of the Assistive Technology Team as appropriate.
• Trains staff in appropriate intervention techniques with individual students.
• Assists in establishing transportation protocols for special needs students as appropriate; supervises the transportation of students to and from occupational therapy.
• May serve as Lead Occupational Therapist for the District by communicating and disseminating information to and from Special Services staff and other staff occupational therapists.
• Maintains awareness and expertise in current professional research, trends and methodologies as they apply to school physical therapy services; attends training, conferences, workshops, etc., as appropriate to enhance job knowledge and skills.
• Receives and responds to inquiries, concerns and complaints from staff, parents, medical personnel and students regarding physical therapy services.
• Prepares and/or processes evaluation reports, intervention plans, case notes, other records, reports, memos, correspondence, etc.
• Operates a vehicle, power wheelchair, manual wheelchair, and a variety of office equipment such as a computer, printer, fax machine, copier, calculator, telephone, audio-visual equipment, etc.; uses splints, braces, other adaptive equipment and physical therapy supplies, clerical / copier / computer supplies, small hand tools, etc.
• Interacts and communicates with various groups and individuals such as the immediate supervisor, co-workers, other District / school administrators and staff, students, parents, medical professionals, community / government agencies, vendors, and the general public.

Additional Job Functions:

• Supervises activities of assigned interns.
• Performs routine administrative/office tasks as required, including but not limited to preparing reports and correspondence, copying and filing documents, answering the telephone, sending and receiving faxes, entering and retrieving computer data, ordering supplies, etc.
• Performs related duties as required.

Minimum Training and Experience:

• Requires a Master's degree in occupational therapy, rehabilitation science or related field supplemented by nine to twelve months of experience providing occupational therapy services, preferably in an educational setting, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
• Must possess current, valid certification by the S.C. Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners.
• Must possess a valid state driver's license.