Occupational Therapist

Occupational Therapist

Join the Avondale Team! At Avondale, we're more than a school district—we're a supportive community dedicated to personal growth, resilience, and discovery. We invest in our staff through strong professional development and a collaborative network, empowering educators to create exceptional, individualized learning experiences where every student matters and every story counts.

Position: Occupational Therapist Begins: 10/01/2026 Location: Districtwide Reports To: Executive Director of Student Services Employment: Non Affiliate FTE: 1.0 Salary: Level 7 Non Affiliate $75,000- $95,008

Qualifications: The individual selected for this assignment will be the one who offers the best combination of qualities in accordance with the following standards and requirements:

• Current Michigan Certification with appropriate MI licensure and board certification.
• Knowledge of the paperwork process as they relate to the MET evaluation and IEP.
• Proficiency in using (but not limited to): the Sensory Processing Measure, Motivational Assessment Scale, Schoodles Fine Motor Assessment, School Functional Assessment as well as professional clinical observations.
• A conceptual understanding of human growth and development, learning theories and teaching methodologies, special education service delivery models, state and federal rules related to special education.
• Must have a working knowledge of special education law.
• Experience evaluating students and providing services for Occupational Therapy, with an emphasis on ASD.
• This position will be mainly supporting students with autism.
• The therapist should also be well versed and familiar with a variety of disabilities including ASD, SLD, EI, CI, VI, HI, PI, OHI, SLI, and ADHD.
• Flexibility and willingness to attend trainings.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Knowledge and appreciation of the influence of disabilities, socio-cultural and socioeconomic factors on student's ability to participate in occupations.
• Knowledge and use of Occupational Therapy theories, models of practice, principles, and evidence based practice to guide intervention decisions.
• Knowledge of the federal, state, local legislation, regulations, policies and procedures that mandate and guide Occupational Therapy practice in schools.

Duties and Responsibilities: Functions as a member of the multi-disciplinary team to determine the student's eligibility for special education support, appropriate programming, and on-going progress. Determines the need for and conducts assessments appropriate to the focus of concern and according to prevailing professional standards. Collaborates with other disciplines to ensure team understanding of student occupational performance strengths and needs, through assessment, educational program planning, and service delivery. Assesses 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. Synthesizes assessment 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. Develops evidence-based Occupational Therapy intervention plans, based on student needs and assessment results. Write IEP goals, update PLAAFP, write reports, attend IEP's, MET's and REED's as necessary. Provides targeted, evidence-based therapeutic intervention to facilitate student participation and occupational performance within the school environment. Adapts and modifies the environment, equipment, materials (incorporating assistive technology when needed) and trains instructional staff (including those in Special Education and General Education) to meet individual needs and to help students function as independently as possible. Educates student, educational personnel, and family to facilitate skills in areas of occupation as well as health maintenance and safety. Monitors and reassess the effects/outcomes of Occupational Therapy intervention and the need to continue, modify services at the programmatic level, or discontinue intervention. Documents Occupational Therapy services to ensure accountability of service provision and to meet standards for reimbursement of services as appropriate. Prioritizes and schedules work tasks independently. Manages inventory of therapeutic equipment and assessments, and project needs for budget planning. Maintains clinical and administrative records in accordance with professional standards, state guidelines, and school system policy. Demonstrates good interpersonal skills to work collaboratively with staff members/students/parents and the community. Communicates with parents regarding student assessment results and status updates in accordance with school system policy. Participates in the development and promotion of the special education philosophy of service and delivery through their membership in the Itinerant PLC. Remain in compliance with all State and Federal rules and regulations that govern Special Education. Maintains composure under stressful conditions. Maintain current reporting, documentation, scheduling, and billing in accordance with professional standards, state and local guidelines, and reimbursement requirements. Use professional literature, evidence-based research, and continuing education content to make practice decisions. Perform the other duties as requested by the Administrator.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to sit and kneel on hard surfaces and is occasionally required to walk or stand. The employee may bend or twist at the neck and trunk while performing the duties of this job. The employee frequently will reach above the head and forward. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and push or pull up to 100 pounds such as students or students in wheelchairs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and depth perception and peripheral vision.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be able to meet deadlines with severe time constraints and interact with public and others. The employee has responsibility for the safety and well-being of others.