Job Title: Occupational Therapist

Salary: As per CBA

Reports to: Director of Special Education

Hours: As per CBA

Building: District Wide

Job Category: Special Education

PRIMARY PURPOSE:

To provide occupational therapy services to students determined eligible through the evaluation process. The OT is responsible for providing services to individuals and/or groups to correct specific areas of sensory-motor integrative dysfunction. The OT administers occupational therapy assessments to determine a student’s level of functioning relative to their age and educational placement in such areas as fine/gross motor skill development, sensory-motor integration, self-care, and the activities of daily living. Provides occupational therapy services, as identified through the IEP/504 plan, to students enrolled in the educational programs throughout SSD.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Administers occupational therapy assessments to determine a student’s level of functioning relative to their age and educational placement in such areas as fine/gross motor skill development, sensory motor integration, self-care, and the activities of daily living.
Writes assessment reports identifying the student’s needs and proposed treatment strategies; writes individual student goals and objectives as part of the IEP; maintains progress records; participates in the IEP meeting.
Develops occupational treatment plans and goals for rehabilitative care to improve student functional abilities and enhance their ability to learn.
Provides students with individual treatment and group therapy sessions to correct specific areas of sensory-motor integrative dysfunction.
Develops occupational therapy treatment plans based on the educational goals for eligible students to improve the student’s functional abilities within the school and naturalistic settings, in collaboration with the IEP team.
Monitors therapy programs and consults with educational staff regarding inclusion of appropriate occupational therapy treatment strategies into the educational program; evaluates the efficacy of the established program and makes modifications within the framework of the IEP process as necessary.
Participates in meetings between school staff and families on the appropriate implementation of programs; collaborates and coordinates occupational therapy goals with the educational program.
Demonstrates educational and developmental strategies to students and families for successful home intervention of perceptual, motor, and sensory programs.
Provides interpretation and summaries of assessment reports to families; recommends appropriate activities and materials designed to support motor goals in the home.
Consults and collaborates with medical and community agencies that interact with SSD staff regarding occupational therapy services for students.
Adapts equipment to assure proper positioning and to enhance functional performance of the student, addressing the student’s neuromuscular deficits and needs. May include design and fabrication of equipment or recommendations for purchase of adaptive equipment as needed.
Maintain an in-depth knowledge of the laws and policies governing Special Education in Pennsylvania, particularly as they pertain to the delivery of occupational therapy services.
Consults with other members of the educational team regarding the mandated and best practice roles of occupational therapists.
Administers occupational therapy programs as needed in terms of budget recommendations, space, and equipment recommendations.
Performs related duties as assigned.

ADDITIONAL SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE:

Intellectual, sensory, and physical development of children and young adults;
Application of occupational therapy techniques utilized in the assessment and treatment of children with disabilities;
Educational and developmental needs of children and young adults;
Theory of physical and mental rehabilitation underlying the practices of occupational therapy;
Principles, methods, and objectives of occupational therapy treatment, services, techniques of skeletal anatomy, neuromuscular function and dysfunction; kinesiology and occupational therapy modalities;
Principles of consultation, training, and supervision;
Accurately assess the developmental status and educational needs of children and young adults;
Identify and analyze areas of developmental sensory-motor dysfunction;
Develop and implement treatment plans, goals, and objectives to correct sensory-motor dysfunction; Knowledge and Abilities continued:
Collaborate with SSD staff, families, and other support staff;
Provide consultation to classroom teachers; explain and provide training on occupational therapy and rehabilitative principles;
Effective oral and written communication skills;
Maintain records and prepare comprehensive reports, including State and Federal mandated reports;
Participate as a member of the IEP/504 team, using current best practice clinical skills for working with children and young adults with moderate physical disabilities and learning challenges.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Registered with the American Occupational Therapy Association and/or certified with the National Board of Occupational Therapy. Must hold a valid Pennsylvania Occupational Therapist Certification
Possession of a valid Pennsylvania driver’s license

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Ability to reach above and below the waist
Ability to use fingers to pick, feel and grasp objects.
Some stooping, bending and twisting of the body required.
Ability to lift and/or carry supplies and/or papers weighing no more than 20 lbs.
Ability to sit, stand, walk or move throughout the building and/or office, often for extended periods of the workday.

SENSORY ABILITY:

Visual acuity.
Auditory acuity.

TEMPERAMENT:

Must possess excellent interpersonal skills.
Must be able to work in an environment with frequent interruptions.
Able to make appropriate decisions and work under high levels of stress.

COGNITIVE ABILITY:

Ability to communicate effectively.
Ability to organize tasks.
Ability to handle multiple tasks.
Ability to exercise good judgment

TERM OF EMPLOYMENT:

Salary and work year to be established per the collective bargaining agreement.
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. The employee will be required to follow any other job related instructions and is to perform any other job related duties assigned by the Building Principal or designee.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable a qualified individual with a disability or disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the job.