School Based Occupational Therapist

Job Summary

Position Title: School-based Certified Occupational Therapist (OT)

Department: Student Services

Reports To: Student Services Coordinator

Evaluation: To be evaluated annually by his/her direct supervisor

Salary Schedule: T9 Click Here

Days/Hours: 187 Days

FLSA Status: Exempt

Job Requirements:

1. Registered with the American Occupational Therapy Association and/or certified with the National Board of Occupational Therapy.
2. Master's degree in Occupational Therapy required; Doctorate preferred.
3. Valid Alabama Drivers License required.
4. A minimum of two years of pediatric therapy experience in a public school or clinical setting is required; experience in working collaboratively with teams and families is desired.
5. Must meet the suitability criteria for employment and/or certification/licensure under the Alabama Child Protection Act of 1999 and Act No. 2002-457

Performance Responsibilities:

This role supports students' academic and functional success by developing their fine motor, visual-motor, handwriting, self-care, and sensory processing skills through direct intervention and assistive technology. Additionally, the therapist promotes student engagement in school activities while monitoring progress and maintaining all required federal and state documentation. Works collaboratively with teachers to develop classroom accommodations/strategies that support student success. Consults with family members regarding student progress, use of strategies at home, and identification of potential educational needs.

Job Responsibilities:

• Evaluates students for occupational therapy based on observational information, educational records, and test results from standardized assessment tools.
• Determines if a student is eligible for occupational therapy as a related service under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
• Develops measurable, specific occupational therapy goals/objectives to be included within the student's individualized education program (IEP).
• Provides occupational therapy services directly to students individually, in groups, and/or in classrooms and indirectly through consultation with educators and/or family members.
• Provide supervision for Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA).
• Attend IEP, eligibility, re-evaluation, and transition planning meetings.
• Makes recommendations regarding adaptive equipment, classroom modifications, and environmental support for students.
• Trains school staff on the implementation of occupational therapy recommendations and safe student handling techniques where indicated.
• Keeps current, accurate therapy schedule; service logs; progress reports and Medicaid billing documentation (if applicable).
• Ensures compliance with IDEA, Section 504 regulations, and state/district policies.
• Attend professional development activities to maintain licensure and improve practice.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the director of special education or designee.

Background Check Required:

(Ala. Code §§ 16-22A-5) Upon offer of employment, employees will be required to submit legible fingerprints for a background review by the Alabama Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Working Conditions:

• Position will require travel daily to multiple schools within the Cullman City School District.

Physical Demands:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk and use hands to finger, to handle, or feel objects, equipment, or controls.
• The employee frequently is required to talk and hear.
• The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms, climb stairs, bend, stoop, squat, crouch, and kneel.
• The employee must occasionally lift, push, pull, carry and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include near vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Additional Details:

• Position will be subject to the Students First Act of 2011. Cullman City Schools reserves the right to fill this position by internal applicants by means of transfer
• Under the Students First Act of 2011, no credit toward tenure or non-probationary status is earned in the initial year of employment if hired after September 30.

Cullman City Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities.