Occupational Therapist

Occupational Therapist

The Guadalupe Centers Charter Schools (GCCS) serve 1600 students from PreK-12 and are a free, open-enrollment public charter school. Over 96% of our students are Latinx. Our school system consists of Guadalupe Centers High School, Guadalupe Centers Middle School, and Guadalupe Centers Elementary School. Our system grew out of Guadalupe Centers' educational programming. Guadalupe Centers is the longest continuously operating agency serving the Latinx community in the US since 1919. Our roots in our community run deep.

The Occupational Therapist's job is to evaluate students' fine motor and sensory motor development, write IEP goals based on the evaluation results, plan and implement appropriate treatment to meet these goals, identify architectural barriers, provide recommendations for accessibility, program development, and student placement, and provide direction to Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants.

Reports to: Special Education Director

Essential Functions

• Administers occupational therapy procedures and modalities to achieve program objectives.
• Assesses students' fine motor skills and functional abilities (e.g., perceptual-motor, hand functions, motor coordination, sensory development, muscle strength, etc.) to determine program eligibility and develop recommendations for treatment, appropriate assistive devices, and/or school placement.
• Collaborates with a variety of groups and/or individuals (e.g. parents, teachers, physicians, administration, maintenance personnel, team members, other professionals, etc.) for the purpose of communicating information, resolving issues, and providing services in compliance with established guidelines.
• Consults with teachers, parents, other personnel, and/or outside professionals to provide requested information, develop plans for services, make recommendations, and/or coordinate occupational therapy services with those of other disciplines.
• Develops IEPs, interventions, and/or educational materials for the purpose of treating students' fine motor skill deficits and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Instructs students and staff for the purpose of providing information on medical/behavioral attributes, use of assistive devices and/or offering classroom suggestions to support the students' IEP goals.
• Interprets medical reports for the purpose of providing information and/or ensuring that treatment/intervention plans are appropriate.
• Maintains files and/or records (e.g., progress reports, activity logs, billing information, treatment plans, etc.) to ensure the availability of information as required for reference and/or compliance.
• Participates in meetings, workshops, and seminars (e.g., training, IEPs, team meetings, etc.) to convey and/or gather information.
• Performs site visits at multiple schools, including home visits to provide direct therapy interventions and assistance as required.
• Prepares a wide variety of written materials (e.g., activity logs, correspondence, memos, IEPs, reports, etc.) to document activities, providing written reference, and/or conveying information.
• Provides direct occupational therapy service for the purpose of developing students' fine and sensory motor skills in compliance with established goals and objectives.
• Supervises the work of assigned COTAs to provide direct supervision and ensure that program objectives are achieved.

Other Functions

• Performs other related duties as assigned to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

Skills are required to perform multiple, highly complex, technical tasks with a need to occasionally upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: applying assessment instruments; operating equipment used in occupational therapy strategies; operating standard office equipment, including pertinent computer software; and preparing and maintaining accurate records.

Knowledge is required to perform algebra and/or geometry; review and interpret highly technical information, write technical materials, and/or speak persuasively to implement desired actions; and analyze situations to define issues and draw conclusions. Specific knowledge-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: age appropriate activities; concepts of grammar and punctuation; health standards and hazards; safety practices and procedures; stages of child development; abnormal development and medical diagnoses related to special Education funding categories; injury restraint; behavior management techniques; current OT treatment interventions; and pertinent codes, policies, regulations and/or laws.

Ability is required to schedule activities, meetings, and/or events; gather, collate, and/or classify data; and use basic, job-related equipment. Flexibility is required to independently work with others in a wide variety of circumstances; work with data utilizing defined but different processes; and operate equipment using standardized methods. Ability is also required to work with a significant diversity of individuals and/or groups; work with data of widely varied types and/or purposes; and utilize a variety of job-related equipment. Independent problem solving is required to analyze issues and create action plans. Problem solving with data may require independent interpretation, and problem solving with equipment is significant. Specific ability-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: adapting to changing work priorities; communicating with diverse groups; maintaining confidentiality; meeting deadlines and schedules; working as part of a team; working with detailed information/data; maintaining effective working relationships; and translating therapy data into meaningful educational activities.

Responsibility

Responsibilities include: working under limited supervision using standardized practices and/or methods; leading, guiding, and/or coordinating others; Utilization of some resources from other work units is often required to perform the job's functions. There is a continual opportunity to impact the organization's services.

Work Environment

The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: significant lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, some climbing and balancing, frequent stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling, and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally, the job requires 50% sitting, 25% walking, and 25% standing. The job is performed under conditions with exposure to risk of injury and/or illness.

Education and Experience:

• Experience: Job-related experience within a specialized field is required.
• Education: Bachelor's degree in a job-related area.
• Required Testing Certificates and Licenses: Missouri License to Practice Occupational Therapy

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
• Must be able to access and navigate all areas of the facilities as needed.

Application Process:

Please complete an application, which may be found at If a position requires a degree, please upload a copy of transcripts and/or degree certification to your application. Other attachments, such as a cover letter or resume, can also be uploaded and attached to the application.

Guadalupe Centers, Inc. conforms to all the laws, statutes, and regulations concerning equal employment opportunities and affirmative action. We strongly encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply to all of our job openings. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, who fully and actively supports equal access for all qualified applicants, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability status, Genetic Information or Testing, Family and Medical Leave, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law, and prohibits retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer or the government, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint, or otherwise oppose discrimination.

Guadalupe Center Charter Schools