Occupational Therapist for the School Year

Occupational Therapist

Pay Grade: 200 Day Salary Scale Period of Employment: 10 months

FLSA Status: Exempt

Supervised by and/or Reports to: Director of Student Services.

General Responsibilities: Integrate occupational therapy knowledge and skills related to curriculum demands, evaluation, learning styles, task analysis, and behavioral regulation to support students whose fine motor, sensory, self-care, or functional skills adversely impact their educational progress.

Essential Duties:

(This list is intended solely as an illustration of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude their addition if they are similar to or a logical extension of the position.)

• Provides occupational therapy to eligible students.
• Collaborates with team members to provide therapeutic interventions, environmental adaptations, and instructional modifications to support student achievement in the educational setting.
• Works on the acquisition of or development of compensatory strategies for fine motor skills, sensory motor skills, visual motor skills, visual perceptual skills, and self-care skills.
• Administers an occupational therapy evaluation to referred students, as well as analyzes and interprets the results in a written report.
• Serves as an active participant on special education committees, such as child study, eligibility, and IEP.
• Observes students in the classroom to determine observable learning styles, behaviors, personal characteristics, and academic strengths and weaknesses.
• Develops and implements interventions in the classroom to address speech and language concerns.
• Serves as a consultant for teachers, parents, and administrators to enhance the academic experience of individual students and promote academic achievement.
• Conferences with parents, teachers, and students, when appropriate in order to explain assessment results and discuss the implications of instruction.
• Assists in assuring division compliance to local, state, and federal regulations governing special education.
• Assists in the planning and/or implementation of in-service training.
• Attends the appropriate professional conferences/workshops.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requisite Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act).
• Knowledge of state regulations governing special education.
• Knowledge of all areas of exceptionality.
• Knowledge of tests and measurement.
• Skill in working effectively as a consultant.
• Skill in developing and implementing learning strategies.
• Skill in written communication.
• Skill in working with technology for completion of required paperwork.
• Skill in utilizing appropriate and necessary assistive technology.
• Ability to plan and prioritize work in a timely manner.
• Serves as a role model.

Requisite Education and Experience:

• Possess at least a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy degree; master's degree preferred.
• Hold a valid Virginia License in occupational therapy.

Physical Requirements:

Must have the use of sensory skills in order to effectively communicate and interact with other employees and the public through the use of the telephone and personal contact as normally defined by the ability to see, read, talk, hear, handle or feel objects and controls. Physical capability to effectively use and operate various items of office related equipment, such as, but not limited to: a personal computer, calculator, copier, and fax machine. Some climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, or repetitive motions required.

Manassas City Public Schools assures equal employment opportunities and equal education opportunities for employees and students as required by federal and state orders and laws. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential tasks.

This job description is intended to accurately reflect the position activities and requirements. It is neither intended to be, nor should it be construed as, an all-inclusive list of the responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with the position. The administration reserves the right to modify, assign, or remove duties.