Occupational Therapist

Occupational Therapist

To provide occupational therapy treatment to special needs student's educational programs in Gilroy Unified School District. This job is responsible to individual and groups to correct specific areas of sensory-motor integrative dysfunction. This job administers occupational therapy assessments to determine a student's level of functioning relative to their age and educational placement in such areas as fine/gross motor skill development, sensory-motor integration, self-care, and the activities of daily living.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Provides occupational therapy services, as identified through the IEP/504 plan, to students enrolled in the educational programs of Gilroy Unified School
• Administers occupational therapy assessments to determine a student's level of functioning relative to their age and educational placement in such areas as fine/gross motor skill development, sensory motor integration, self-care, and the activities of daily
• Writes assessment reports identifying the student's needs and proposed treatment strategies; writes individual student goals and objectives as part of the IEP; maintains progress records; participates in the IEP meeting.
• Develops occupational treatment plans and goals for rehabilitative care to improve student functional abilities and enhance their ability to
• Provides students with individual treatment and group therapy sessions to correct specific areas of sensory-motor integrative
• Develops occupational therapy treatment plans based on the educational goals for eligible students to improve the student's functional abilities within the school and naturalistic settings, in collaboration with the IEP team.
• Monitors therapy programs and consults with educational staff regarding inclusion of appropriate occupational therapy treatment strategies into the educational program; evaluates the efficacy of the established program and makes modifications within the framework of the IEP process as
• Participates in meetings between Gilroy Unified staff and families on the appropriate implementation of programs; collaborates and coordinates occupational therapy goals with the educational
• Demonstrates educational and developmental strategies to students and families for successful home intervention of perceptual, motor, and sensory
• Provides interpretation and summaries of assessment reports to families; recommends appropriate activities and materials designed to support motor goals in the
• Consults and collaborates with medical and community agencies that interact with Gilroy Unified staff regarding occupational therapy services for
• Adapts equipment to assure proper positioning and to enhance functional performance of the student, addressing the student's neuromuscular deficits and needs. May include design and fabrication of equipment or recommendations for purchase of adaptive equipment as
• Maintain an in-depth knowledge of the laws and policies governing Special Education in California, particularly as they pertain to the delivery of occupational therapy
• Consults with other members of the educational team regarding the mandated and best practice roles of occupational therapists.
• Administers occupational therapy programs as needed in terms of budget recommendations, space, and equipment recommendations.
• Performs related duties as

Knowledge and Abilities:

• Intellectual, sensory, and physical development of children and young adults;
• Application of occupational therapy techniques utilized in the assessment and treatment of children with disabilities;
• Educational and developmental needs of children and young adults;
• Theory of physical and mental rehabilitation underlying the practices of occupational therapy;
• Principles, methods, and objectives of occupational therapy treatment, services, techniques of skeletal anatomy, neuromuscular function and dysfunction; kinesiology and occupational therapy modalities;
• Principles of consultation, training, and supervision;
• Accurately assess the developmental status and educational needs of children and young adults;
• Identify and analyze areas of developmental sensory-motor dysfunction;
• Develop and implement treatment plans, goals, and objectives to correct sensory-motor dysfunction;
• Collaborate with Gilroy Unified staff, families, and other support staff;
• Provide consultation to classroom teachers; explain and provide training on occupational therapy and rehabilitative principles;
• Effective oral and written communication skills;
• Maintain records and prepare comprehensive reports, including State and Federal mandated reports;
• Work as a member of the IEP/504 team, using current best practice clinical skills for working with children and young adults with moderate physical disabilities and learning challenges;

Minimum Qualifications:

• Registered with the American Occupational Therapy Association and/or certified with the National Board of Occupational
• Possession of a valid California driver's license.

• A combination of training and experiences that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities. A typical method to obtain these qualifications would be: (a) Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with coursework in occupational therapy or a related field; (b) Three years of clinical experience in pediatric therapy with emphasis on developmental disabilities and working in an educational Experience in working collaboratively with teams and families is desired.

Working Conditions:

• Environment: The job functions are performed indoors and
• Physical abilities: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, bend, crouch, drive, sit, talk, and listen. The employee must be able to sit on the floor or in a chair, and stand for extended periods and must have dexterity of hands and fingers to write and operate a keyboard. The employee must be able to lift and/or move up to ten pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust vision. Provide services to different school sites, including students placed out of the district. Attend meetings outside of the district and occasionally work evenings.

Other Requirements:

• Valid California driver's license
• Drive vehicle to and from meetings and to school sites
• Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods of time
• CPR and First Aid certification highly desirable