Occupational Therapist

Occupational Therapist

Plan and provide therapy to students receiving Special Education Services. Assess students and provide therapeutic intervention to maximize physical or mental function, increase independent functioning, and/or adjust to disabilities.

Education/Certification

Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy or related program

Valid Texas license as an occupational therapist granted by the Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners

Candidate must have satisfactory outcome of fingerprinting background check. Non-refundable fee (approximately $50) paid by employee.

Knowledge/Skills

Knowledge of rehabilitation procedures, activities, and equipment used in occupational therapy to increase access to the educational environment

Ability to instruct students and manage their behavior

Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills

Experience

Experience as an Occupational Therapist in the school setting, preferred

Major Responsibilities and Duties

The Educators' Code of Ethics is set forth in Texas Administrative Code to provide rules for standard practices and ethical conduct toward students, professional colleagues, school officials, parents, and members of the community.

• Rule §247.1 Purpose and Scope; Definitions
• Rule §247.2 Code of Ethics and Standard Practices for Texas Educators

Student Growth and Development – Therapy

The therapist fosters student growth and development through activities such as the following:

• Plan and provide direct and consultative services consistent with occupational therapy goals contained in students' Individual Education Plans (IEP).
• Evaluate student progress through progress monitoring and determine when dismissal is appropriate dDesign, construct, alter, and provide students with adaptive equipment, assistive technology and devices to promote maximum independence.
• Create an environment conducive to learning and appropriate for the maturity level, interests, and needs of the students.

Student Assessment

The therapist engages in the following assessment activities:

• Assess students with disabilities and determine eligibility for services.
• Evaluate 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.
• Produce written evaluations and reports within state and district timelines.
• Synthesize evaluation results into a comprehensive written report which reflects strengths and barriers to student participation in the educational environment; directs program development; and guides evidence-based intervention.
• Develop intervention plans based on student needs and evaluation results.
• Participate in the Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) Committee to assist with interpretation of assessment data, appropriate placement, and goal setting for students according to district procedures.
• Collaborate with other disciplines to ensure team understanding of student performance strengths and needs, through evaluation, educational program planning, and service delivery.
• Monitor and reassess the effects of occupational therapy intervention and the need to continue, modify, or discontinue intervention.

Communication and Community Relations

The therapist promotes a positive tone for school or community relations through activities such as the following:

• Develop and maintain effective individual and group relationships with students and parents.
• Consult with educational staff and parents regarding occupational therapy.
• Consult with parents, teachers, administrators, and other relevant people to enhance their work with students.
• Effectively communicate with colleagues, students, and parents.
• Provide targeted, evidence-based therapeutic intervention to facilitate student participation and 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 individual needs and to help students function as independently as possible.
• Educate student, educational personnel, and family to facilitate skills in areas of occupation as well as health maintenance and safety.

Organization Management

The therapist manages administrative, fiscal, and facilities functions responsibly through activities such as the following:

• Develop and coordinate a continuing evaluation of the occupational therapy program, and implement changes based on the findings.
• Assist in the selection of equipment and adaptive materials.
• Prioritize and schedule work tasks independently.
• Manages inventory of therapeutic equipment and assessments, and project needs for budget planning.
• Maintain records in accordance with professional standards, state guidelines, and school system policy.
• Provide legal and ethical supervision of occupational therapy assistant assuming responsibility for the students served by assistant.
• Adhere to federal and state legislation, regulation, and policies that affect occupational therapy practice.
• Review occupational therapy services for quality improvement and makes changes as needed to ensure quality of services.
• Compile, maintain, and file all reports, records, and other documents required.
• Comply with all district and assigned campus routines and regulations.

Document occupational therapy services to ensure accountability of service provision and to meet standards for reimbursement of services as appropriate.

Professional Growth and Development

The therapist participates in professional growth and development through activities such as the following:

• Participate in continuing education for professional development to ensure consistency with best practices and to meet State Licensure requirements.
• Provide staff development training in assigned schools to assist personnel with selection and use of adaptive equipment and understanding occupational therapy program.
• Use professional literature, evidence based research, and continuing education content to make practice decisions.
• Attend meetings and participate in staff development activities to improve job-related skills.

Qualities of Effective Occupational Therapists

The therapist exhibits qualities such as the following:

• Daily attendance and punctuality at work are essential functions of the job.
• Keep informed of and comply with state, District, and school regulations and policies.
• Correct unsafe conditions in work area that could cause an accident and inform supervisor of any conditions that are not correctable immediately.
• Shall comply with District policies, as well as state and federal laws and regulations.
• Shall comply with the standards of conduct set out in Board Policy DH (Legal) and (Local) and with any other policies, regulations, and guidelines that impose duties, requirements, and standards.
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the administration.
• Maintain confidentiality.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Supervision of Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, if needed.

Equipment

Adaptive equipment, computer, printer, scanner, copier, fax, and other equipment applicable to position.

Working Conditions

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors

• Maintain emotional control under stress.
• Work with frequent interruptions.
• Work irregular and extended work hours
• Frequent walking, standing, stooping, bending, pulling and pushing.
• Occasional light lifting and carrying (15-44 pounds); may lift and move text books and classroom equipment.
• May be required under specific circumstances to provide physical restraint of students in danger of causing harm to themselves or others.
• District wide and statewide travel.
• Frequent exposure to: temperature extremes (hot and cold), humidity extremes, noise, low or intense illumination vibration.
• Occasional exposure to: biological hazards (communicable diseases, bacteria, etc.), work outside, work around moving objects or vehicles, work on uneven surfaces.
• Assist students with physical disabilities according to their needs, including transferring to and from wheelchairs and positioning children.

The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.