Occupational Therapist

TITLE: OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

JOB OBJECTIVES:

Provide evaluation and occupational therapy services that will assist students with disabilities to receive maximum benefit from educational planning.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The occupational therapist is expected to provide evaluation and therapy services to eligible students. Consultative services will be provided to building staff and parents when directed to do so by the IEP Team. The Occupational Therapist is expected to become involved in the pre-referral process of the local district when directed by an administrator. Also, the Occupational Therapist will work to assist students using any Assistive Technology device recommended by the student's IEP Team. This position is considered at risk for exposure to Hepatitis B and may come in contact with hazardous chemicals.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. Evaluate student developmental levels, functional abilities, capacities and deficits as related to educational performance as a member of the M.E.T. (Multidisciplinary Evaluation Team).

2. Participate as a member of the IEPT (Individualized Educational Planning Team) when appointed by the Superintendent/Designee.

3. Participate as a member of the M.E.T. when appointed by the Superintendent/Designee.

4. Prepare and document program plans based upon analysis of data from occupational therapy and other diagnosticians' evaluation results.

5. Provide ongoing educational assessment (after program eligibility has been established).

6. Develop educational activities and provide direct therapy to students.

7. Select and adapt materials and equipment to provide special education instruction with the consultation of ancillary staff.

8. Develop and update short term goals and objectives in writing and in specific and measurable terms for each student on caseload. All objectives are to be based on instructional goals as specified by IEP and update with progress report every nine (9) weeks, or as often as general education report cards.

9. Assigns duties to Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants.

10. Organize time, energy, and workload in order to meet responsibilities and complete assignments with due consideration of priorities among various responsibilities as approved by supervisor.

11. Will establish and maintain open communications with all parents, staff, administrators and outside agencies involved with the students.

12. Maintain accurate records in a manner consistent with State and Federal Law as required by the intermediate school district and local educational agency, including monthly caseload reports and Medicaid logs.

13. Maintain a cooperative, harmonious relationship with professionals and others within the school setting which fosters recognition and respect for every individual.

14. Perform such tasks as the building principal/supervisor may request in order to promote cooperative team work.

15. Follow school building rules and procedure.

16. Employee will follow all health and safety rules, policies and procedures.

17. Perform duties according to COOR safety and health policies.

18. Keep work area in a neat and organized manner, and surrounding areas clean and orderly to maintain health and safety according to COOR policies.

19. Participate in school improvement activities such as curriculum development committee, positive behavior support committee, etc.

20. Physically capable of performing CPI (Crisis Prevention Intervention) techniques, lifting and positioning students.

21. Knowledge of common safety hazards and necessary safety precautions for the self and others, sufficient to be able to establish a safe work environment. Ability to use the principles of safety and to perform skills protecting the health and safety of self, students and other co-workers.

22. This position is considered "at risk" for exposure to blood-borne pathogens. An awareness of potential risk and good practice in relation to "infection control" is necessary.

23. Demonstrate knowledge of the Michigan Right-to-Know law and its practices.

JOB LOCATION: C.O.O.R. Intermediate School District Area

EQUIPMENT:

Assistive Technology device, Computer, Printer, Copier, Fax Machine

CRITICAL SKILLS/EXPERTISE/QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Certified, licensed (by State when effective), and registered by National AOTA Certification Board.

2. Certified by a legally recognized professional board or association and recommended by a college or university offering an appropriate program approved by the State Board of Education in the area of Occupational Therapy.

3. Maintain NBCOT(National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy) registration and state license.

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Participate in cooperative planning with outside agencies, special education ancillary personnel, parents of handicapped students involved, and administrators.

2. Assume responsibility for keeping informed of current developments in own field and

related fields of special education and maintain readiness to adapt to change.

3. Provides input on evaluating Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants.

REPORTS TO: Director of Special Education or Special Education Supervisor

COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT:

C.O.O.R. Education Association/MEA-NEA

WAGES & BENEFITS:

Per Master Agreement between the C.O.O.R. Intermediate School District and C.O.O.R. Education Association.

HOURS:

Follow school district calendar. Monday-Friday, 7 hour days.