Occupational Therapist - ESY

Occupational Therapist
FLSA Status: Exempt


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Position Objective


Plan, organize, and conduct occupational therapy programs in a school setting to support the development, rehabilitation, and functional independence of students with physical, mental, or emotional disabilities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop programs incorporating activities such as manual arts, crafts, and functional skill training.
• Provide instruction and practice in functional, prevocational, vocational, homemaking, and daily living skills.
• Coordinate participation in sensorimotor, educational, recreational, and social activities to enhance physical or mental functioning.
• Collaborate with the rehabilitation team to select activities tailored to individual student needs and to integrate occupational therapy with other therapeutic interventions.
• Choose constructive activities suited to the student's physical capacity, cognitive level, and interests to maximize independence and prepare for school or employment.
• Teach skills and techniques required for activity participation; evaluate and document individual progress.
• Design and construct special equipment for students as needed; recommend environmental adaptations.
• Requisition and manage supplies and equipment; lay out materials for sessions; clean and repair tools after use.
• Conduct or participate in training programs for medical, nursing, or educational personnel on occupational therapy techniques and objectives.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Train, plan, assign, and direct activities of assigned paraeducators.
• Responsible for the quality of work of assigned staff.
• Provide advisory input on evaluation, hiring, and continued employment decisions.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree (B.A.) from an accredited college or university.
• One to two years of related experience or training preferred; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Skills & Knowledge

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical journals, educational or scientific reports, and regulations.
• Ability to respond to inquiries or complaints from parents, staff, or regulatory agencies.
• Strong written and oral communication skills; able to present information effectively to school administrators, boards, or public groups.
• Mathematical proficiency including probability, statistical inference, geometry, trigonometry, fractions, ratios, and percentages.
• Strong reasoning and problem-solving abilities to define problems, collect data, and interpret technical instructions.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Must hold a valid Vermont Occupational Therapist license.

Physical Effort & Stress

• Regularly required to talk and hear.
• Frequently required to stand, walk, sit, use hands, and reach with arms.
• Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Ability to lift or move up to 100 pounds.
• Vision requirements: close and distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and focus adjustment.

Working Conditions

• Occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions.
• Noise level is usually moderate.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

The Occupational Therapist supports students' functional independence and participation in school through individualized therapy programs, collaboration with staff, and supervision of paraeducators while maintaining a safe, effective, and inclusive environment.