Occupational Therapy Specialist

Occupational Therapy Specialist

The Occupational Therapy Specialist provides assessment, consultation, and direct occupational therapy to students enrolled in or referred to special education programs. The Occupational Therapy Specialist also collaborates with general and special education staff and parents, to identify strategies, methods, and patterns of instructional support.

Basic Function: Provide assessment, consultation, and direct occupational therapy to pupils enrolled in or referred to special education programs.

Representative Duties: Access children's skills and abilities in oral motor, sensory registration and processing, motor planning, activities of daily living, fine motor function, and postural stability. Assist in developing the pupils' Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Develop individual pupil base line goals. Provide occupational therapy intervention to pupils. Provide assistance to the classroom teacher by demonstration of exercises and activities. Monitor therapy received by pupils and record progress. Design and develop adaptive equipment and adjust for proper fit as needed. Act as liaison to district staff, physicians, parents, and other agencies in implementing the pupil's IEP. Travel to other district sites as assigned. Direct the work of student interns or other staff as assigned. Perform related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications: Education and Experience: Any combination of training, experience, and/or education equivalent to graduation from an accredited school of occupational therapy and California registration as an Occupational Therapist. Licenses and Other Requirements: Possession of a valid California driver's license and availability of private transportation (mileage expense allowance provided).

Knowledge of: Oral motor facilitation. Activities of daily living. Psychodynamics of individuals with disabilities. Normal and abnormal child development. Ability to: Design and fit adaptive devices, following medical prescription. Administer required assessments and evaluate pupil progress. Recommend educationally related treatment objectives and implement therapy. Lift and move moderately heavy objects and assist in pupil positioning. Operate standard office equipment including microcomputers and related software applications. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others. Plan and organize work. Meet schedules and time lines. Maintain records. Read, apply, and explain rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Working Conditions: Environment: Office and classroom setting; driving vehicle to school sites to provide assistance to students and staff. Physical Requirements: Hearing and speaking to exchange information; seeing to perform assigned duties; sitting or standing for extended periods of time; dexterity of hands and fingers to operate equipment and perform assigned duties; kneeling, bending at the waist, and reaching overhead, above the shoulders and horizontally, to retrieve and store files and supplies; lifting moderately heavy objects.