Occupational Therapist

Occupational TherapistAn Occupational Therapist serves a pediatric population of eligible students with disabilities ages 3 to 22 years across all public and non-public school settings in Perry Township Schools. The provision of Occupational Therapy services may include evaluation, functioning, prevention, adapting, and consultation.Essential FunctionsEducational Responsibilities:Planning and implementing a therapy program that addresses the goals/objectives/benchmarks in the IEP of students with disabilities on her/his caseloadProviding direct or consultative support intended to improve the educational outcomes for students with disabilitiesDeveloping appropriate strategies and interventions utilizing evidence-based practicesWorking collaboratively and cooperatively as part of a student-centered, multi-disciplinary team including parents, teachers, and other professionalsCompleting all necessary paperwork in a timely and accurate mannerSupporting instruction to assigned students as addressed in the students' IEPActing as a consultant to promote and enhance access of education for special needs studentsRecommending or providing instructional materials appropriate for the student's IEPProviding input and assistance for classroom management as related to behavior plans and behavior managementIntegrating therapy services to enhance instruction within the classroom curriculumProfessional Responsibilities:The practice of occupational therapy means the functional assessment of learning and performance skills and the analysis, selection, and adaptation of exercise or equipment for a person whose abilities to perform the requirements of daily living are threatened or impaired by physical injury or disease, mental illness, a developmental deficit, the aging process, or a learning disability. The term consistent of the following functions: (1) planning and directing exercise and programs to improve sensory processing skills at a level of performance neurologically appropriate for a person's stage of development, and (2) analyzing, selecting, and adapting functional exercise to achieve and maintain a person's optimal functioning in daily living tasks and to prevent further disability [I.C. 25-23.5-1-5].In addition, the Occupational Therapist is expected to:Collaborate with building principals and other professionals in providing services to studentsObserve confidentiality requirements for identified studentsMaintain scheduled consultation and collaboration with teachers appropriate for the student's IEPCommunicate the occupational therapy requirements of the student's IEP in a manner that all professionals and paraprofessionals involved with individual students understand their responsibilitiesDocument daily service notes in respective therapy logsProvide input or collaborate with the Teacher of Record in a timely manner for progress monitoring in the IEPs of students on the caseload through the Indiana IEP systemAssume responsibility for continued learning, which may include a fieldwork educator roleAccommodation Responsibilities:Direct, plan, and implement the following consistent with the Individualized Education Program:Therapeutic intervention related to daily living skills and sensorimotor, cognitive, and psychosocial componentsTherapeutic adaptation including methods of accomplishing daily life tasks, environmental adjustments, orthotics, and assistive devices and equipmentHealth maintenance including energy conservation, joint protection, body mechanics, and positioningPrevention programs to foster age appropriate balance of self-care, education, and play or leisureSupervise and schedule Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants and/or any therapy assistant(s) as assignedObserve, contribute, and participate in the evaluation of Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants and/or any therapy assistants as assignedProvide input regarding any accommodations needed for on statewide and district assessments being implemented according to the student's IEP if requested by the Teacher of RecordAdvise, monitor, and train personnel on the proper use of Restraints including therapeutic supports or promptsDiagnostic Responsibilities:Conduct assessments with interpretation, observations, interviews, history, standardized and non-standardized tests, and informal assessments related to referrals for an educational evaluation in accordance with Article 7 to provide information about a student's disability or suspected disability for the case conference proceeding; Consult with teachers, school psychologists, speech pathologists, assistive technology team members, and parents.Organizational Responsibilities:Adhere to the policies and procedures of the assigned schools. Attend required meetings and school related activities. Review emergency procedures with building staff to ensure students will be safe during a disaster (tornado, fire, earthquake, etc.). Submit required information for local, state, and federal reports. Notify staff of any changes in student data or enrollment. Maintain a file for each student on the caseload. Provide case conference committee with data to support the determination of discharge, summary of outcomes, and appropriate recommendations to maximize educational gains. Maintain a file for each student on the caseload; Assistive Technology Responsibilities Provide input in our area of expertise for use in AT evaluations in collaboration with assistive the technology team Refer for a corporation-based AT evaluation per documented need and/or assist in the evaluation and recommendation for assistive technology; Provide training to teachers, paraprofessionals and other staff regarding the use of assistive technology as related to our area of expertise; and Attend training to update knowledge on new technology and best practices for teaching students.Equipment Responsibilities:Ensure that all equipment remains in good working order, and report damaged equipment to the individual responsible for maintaining equipment inventory; Monitor and maintain district provided wheelchairs and other mobility equipment in working order; Maintain an inventory of all related services equipment (serial numbers, who has it, and where it is assigned)Travel Requirements: Travels to school district buildings and professional meetings as required.Pay Rate: PEA certified positionWork Schedule: Standard work schedule as set forth in contractKnowledge, Skills and Abilities:Knowledge and use of occupational therapy theories, models of practice, principles, and evidence-based practice to guide intervention decisions. Knowledge of human development throughout the life span and integrates with student's unique developmental status. Knowledge of the influence of disabilities, socio-cultural and socioeconomic factors on student's ability to participate in occupations. Knowledge of Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), Section 504, and other federal and state laws and regulations regarding education and students and physical therapy practice in schools. Effective verbal and written communication skills. Skill in selecting and providing a wide range of intervention strategies and monitoring their effectiveness. Effective computer skills as needed for work (e.g., ability to effective use Microsoft Office suite). Ability to determine the need for an occupational therapy evaluation and to select and administer appropriate assessment tools to evaluate the student. Ability to organize and coordinate work. Ability to engage in self-evaluation with regard to performance and professional growth. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others contacted in the course of work.Physical and Mental Demands, Work Hazards:Seldom = Less than 25%Occasional = 26 to 50%Often = 51 to 75%Very Frequent = Greater than 75%Physical Requirement Percentage of Time:Ability to sit for extended periods of time. Very FrequentAbility to lift 25 pounds. SeldomAbility to carry 25 pounds. SeldomAbility to work at a desk, conference table or in meetings of various configurations. Very FrequentAbility to see for the purpose of reading laws and codes, rules and policies and other printed matter. Very FrequentAbility to communicate so others will be able to clearly understand a normal conversation. Very FrequentAbility to operate job-related equipment. Very FrequentAbility to reach in all directions. SeldomLicense/ Registration/ Certification:State Certification to practice as evidenced by current state licensure as an Occupational Therapist. Initial certification by National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapy. Education Bachelors from an accredited college or university in related field. Graduation from an accredited program of occupational therapy recognized by NBCOT. Experience Successful prior experience working as an Occupational Therapist, preferably in an educational or other pediatric practice setting. FLSA Status: Exempt