Early On Occupational Therapist (0.6 FTE)

Early On Occupational Therapist (.6)

The Early-On Occupational Therapist provides direct services and caregiver coaching, focusing on developmentally appropriate adaptive and functional skills for children from birth to three years of age. This role utilizes the Primary Service Provider (PSP) model to support families through routine-based interventions that incorporate evidence-based practices.

Assist and guide staff and families/caregivers in understanding what is developmentally appropriate, as well as observing, describing, and referring children with suspected impairments.

Screen children with developmental concerns in areas that include self-help, feeding, functional mobility, environmental adaptations/adaptive equipment, positioning, motor functions, sensory processing, and self-regulation skills.

Works cooperatively and communicates with District and constituent district staff, students, parents/guardians, and early childhood community agencies to provide information and implement evidence-based strategies to support students' daily activities.

Participate regularly on teams to resolve problems and engage in progress monitoring of student and family data.

Serve on multi-disciplinary evaluation teams to complete evaluations to identify whether students are eligible for special education OT services and/or suspected delay in the areas of feeding/fine motor/sensory/positioning. Engage with child centered holistic feeding and sensory approaches to address delays.

Develop family outcomes and therapy programs for each IDEA-eligible child in the least restrictive/natural environment based on a comprehensive evaluation. Conduct periodic and annual Individualized Family Service Plans, as well as transitions to the local districts, in collaboration with caregivers/families.

Provide training to the appropriate persons to ensure transfer and generalization of outcomes across multiple settings (e.g. school, home, etc.).

Complete IFSPs and other required paperwork in accordance with Early On timelines.

Maintain records and complete billing activities associated with Medicaid School-Based Services.

Regularly document and monitor student progress toward outcomes and objectives.

Assist in proper referrals of students to agencies and specialists within the community.

Evaluate students' functioning for adaptive technology and recommend adaptive equipment.

Participate in regular professional learning opportunities to stay abreast of current research-based practice within the field.

Performs other related tasks as assigned.

Master's degree from an approved occupational therapy program.

Occupational Therapy License from Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). Completion of Early On essentials.

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of staff, parent, and the general public.

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to use advanced mathematics to solve problems related to use of technology.

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory to area of professional responsibility; ability to plan and implement adaptive technology based on needs and abilities of students to whom assigned. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, peers, parents and community; ability to speak clear and concisely in written or oral communication.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The employee must occasionally push items of 50 lbs. such as equipment. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and depth perception.

The noise level in the work environment is usually loud and is a standard acceptable level for this environment. The employee shall remain free of any alcohol or non-prescribed controlled substance in the workplace throughout his/her employment in the District.

The Board of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and transgender identity), disability, age, religion, height, weight, marital or family status, military status, ancestry, genetic information or any other legally protected characteristic, in its programs and activities, including employment opportunities.

Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies should be directed to the Deputy Superintendent for Administrative Services.