Salary: $60,800-$89,816 (Dependent on Licensure Level and Experience)

FLSA Status: EXEMPT

Minimum Qualifications:

Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited program

New Mexico Public Education Department Licensure for Occupational Therapy

New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department Licensure

Medicaid Provider Number

Bilingual preferred

Skills/Aptitudes:

Knowledge of child development, disabilities, and their impact on educational performance.

Understanding of IDEA, NMPED regulations, and IEP development.

Strong collaboration, consultation, and communication skills.

Ability to manage caseloads across multiple school sites.

Skill in data collection, progress monitoring, and documentation.

Ability to provide culturally and linguistically responsive services.

Position Summary

The Occupational Therapist (OT) provides evaluation and therapeutic services to students with disabilities to support their ability to access and benefit from their educational program. Services are delivered in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), rules of the New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED), and district policies. The OT focuses on improving students’ functional performance in areas such as fine motor skills, sensory processing, self-regulation, and activities of daily living within the school environment.

Essential Job Responsibilities of an Occupational Therapist:

· Works cooperatively with colleagues, supervisors, and administrators.

· Demonstrates ethical behavior.

· Follows district policies and administrative rules and regulations and federal and state statutes.

· Follows District Code of Conduct policies.

· Maintains behavior appropriate to performing and accomplishing assigned duties.

· Maintains a suitable personal appearance as it relates to position.

· Demonstrates foresight, examines issues, and takes initiatives to improve the quality of education in the community.

· Embraces and encourages the acceptance of diversity.

· Keeps monthly service log for every child on caseload and submits to Student Services on designated deadline each month.

· Uses effective and respectful skills to communicate.

· Provides and maintains an environment where optimal student growth can take place.

· Demonstrates leadership.

· Demonstrates an understanding of the dynamics of the educational organization.

· Effectively manages the resource for which he/she is responsible.

· Conducts assessment of students referred through the evaluation process.

· Participates in the program planning for individual students.

· Provides intervention for student’s identified as needing service by the IEP/EDT team.

· Demonstrates effective time management skills.

· Demonstrates professional competencies.

· Ability to select, administer, and interpret appropriate assessment instruments, and procedures taking into consideration the student’s age, development level, disability, and educational needs.

· Ability to assess the functional performance of all students regardless of disabilities within the school environment.

· Ability to engage in consensus decision making as a member of the IEP/EDT team.

· Ability to plan and implement intervention strategies using direct therapy, monitoring, and consultation.

· Ability to communicate effectively (orally and in writing) with education personnel, administrators, parents, and community members.

· Ability to document assessment and intervention results in the proper manner for a school setting and to relate this information to the educational goals of the student.

· Conduct comprehensive occupational therapy evaluations using standardized and functional assessment tools.

· Develop, implement, and monitor IEP goals and services aligned with student educational needs.

· Provide direct and consultative occupational therapy services in classrooms, therapy spaces, and other school settings.

· Collaborate with special education teams, general education teachers, administrators, and families.

· Adapt classroom materials, equipment, and environments to support student participation and independence.

· Provide training and strategies to school staff to support student needs throughout the school day.

· Maintain accurate documentation including evaluation reports, Medicaid billing documentation (if applicable), progress reports, and service logs in compliance with NMPED and district requirements.

· Participate in IEP meetings, eligibility determinations, and multidisciplinary team processes.

· Ensure compliance with federal and state special education regulations, including timelines and procedural safeguards.

· Assist with the selection, use, and maintenance of adaptive equipment and assistive technology.

· Travel between school sites as assigned.

· Assists in proper referrals of individuals to agencies and specialists in the community.

· Provides information, and support to parents and families when appropriate.

· Attends workshops and in-services to stay abreast of changes in standards, assessment strategies, and research findings.

· Performs other job duties as assigned.

Join our team and make a difference!

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