Occupational Therapist

Occupational Therapist

Position Summary: Occupational Therapist 10-Month Who we are: Reach Cyber Charter School is a tuition-free online public K12 school in Pennsylvania, connecting students with certified teachers and a high-quality curriculum. Authorized by the Pennsylvania Department of Education in 2016, Reach Cyber Charter School is state certified and open to students throughout Pennsylvania with a vision to inspire and nurture future success for all students. Our Reach family promotes a vision that provides a collaborative team environment and allows you to utilize various resources to inspire and nurture future success for all students in Pennsylvania. The Occupational Therapist (OT) will adhere to the standards of practice and ethical conduct of the occupational therapy profession. The OT observes, analyzes, and assesses motor dysfunction of children served by the Reach Cyber Charter School. Based on evaluation procedures, the OT makes recommendations to ameliorate motor dysfunction that may be impairing the child's performance. Recommendations are based on occupational therapy evaluation and interdisciplinary team development of an educational plan. The OT communicates the student's needs and coordinates programming with school personnel, educators, parents/guardians, the student, other agencies, and private practitioners as necessary. The OT is responsible for adhering to all federal and state regulations and Reach Cyber Charter School's policies and procedures. The Occupational Therapist will be responsible for the successful completion of the following tasks:

• Identify strengths and weaknesses of referred exceptional education students
• Ability to participate in the School Based Medical Access program
• Adhere to SBAP administrative procedures and timelines as outlined by PA Department of Education (PDE) and Department of Human Services (DHS).
• Evaluates the student's ability and formulates the student's occupational profile through a variety of functional, behavioral, and standardized assessments, skilled observation, checklists, histories, and interviews;
• Evaluate children with sensorimotor, self-help, and behavior needs according to accepted standardized and non-standardized assessment tools;
• Prepare and implement a plan of care for each identified
• Collaborate with other disciplines to ensure team understanding of student occupational performance strengths and needs, thorough evaluations, educational program planning, and service delivery.
• Participate in multidisciplinary meetings to review evaluation results, integrate findings with other disciplines, offer recommendations, and develop individual education plans and intervention plans to achieve IEP goals.
• Provide targeted, evidence-based therapeutic intervention to facilitate student participation and occupational performance within the school environment.
• Consult with the school-based team to achieve student outcomes.
• Adapt and modify the environment including assistive technology and training instructional staff to meet the individual needs and to help students function as independently as possible.
• Educate students, educational personnel, and families to facilitate skills in areas of occupation as well as health maintenance and safety.
• Monitor and reassess the effects of occupational therapy intervention and the need to continue, modify, or discontinue intervention.
• Document occupational therapy services to ensure accountability of service provisions and to meet standards for reimbursement of services as appropriate.
• Bill services under medical access procedures.
• Provide input with and Identifies structural issues for the purpose of removing barriers for students with physical limitations and/or identifying appropriate assistive equipment.
• Ascertain and prepare purchase requests for needed student therapeutic supplies and equipment
• Provide parents with suggestions for home skill-building as requested.
• Evaluate and provide training and consultation to staff with regard to seating, postural needs, and other equipment use as recommended by OT.
• Ensure that each student on caseload has necessary evaluation records, progress reports
• Obtain parent and physician permission for occupational therapy services when appropriate;
• Participate in special education department meetings and trainings.

Education/Qualifications

• Minimum Education/Certification: Bachelor's Degree required from an accredited college or university; Master's preferred
• Valid PA Occupational Therapy License
• Possesses all PDE required clearances for school-based personnel

• Experience Requirements: 1-3 years of experience in Education, Business, or Social Services is preferred
• Prior experience in special education, Medicaid billing, or school-based services is highly recommended.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Knowledge of special education practices as related to Occupational Therapy
• Proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with school officials, parents, students, teachers, and support staff.
• Ability to connect with a diverse group of people and build strong relationships
• Operating knowledge of and experience with personal computers and peripherals

Essential Functions / Duties / Responsibilities:

• Must reside in the state of Pennsylvania
• Ability to pass the background checks required for all school employees in Pennsylvania
• This position could include limited travel and could include limited overnight travel

What we offer you for all your hard work

Reach Cyber Charter School is dedicated to providing our employees with a comprehensive benefits package offering flexibility to customize benefits to meet your needs by offering major medical, dental, and vision; HSA and FSA; company paid Basic Life/AD&D, STD, LTD and EAP; a retirement plan; voluntary Life/AD&D as well as perks and discount programs.

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Statement of Principle

Reach's Mission is to help each student maximize their potential through an individualized learning program. We strive to model our mission by empowering Staff to authentically show up with their skills, knowledge, competencies, strengths, curiosity, and unique lived experiences. Reach is committed to having inclusive policies and practices to establish a workplace of inclusion which continues to foster a belonging culture for staff, students, and families.

Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

Reach Cyber Charter School