Occupational Therapist (2024-2025 School Year)

FRAMINGHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS

DEPARTMENT OF SPECIAL EDUCATION

TITLE:

Occupational Therapist

2024-2025 School Year

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the Special Education Department, provides assessment and intervention to students on an individual education plan so that they can access their education.

OUR MISSION:

Framingham Public Schools is committed to excellence for all students. Our mission statement guides our work: Through a comprehensive education, we aim to create and empower free-thinking, responsible citizens who can participate equally in our rich and diverse community. FPS and the community stand united in our core values: Providing a safe, inclusive, culturally responsive teaching and learning environment; Engaging antiracist and responsible civic advocates; Respecting diversity of thought, learners, cultures, and community; Fostering learning and healthy growth of all students and staff; Ensuring every school will be an active, participatory, equitable community.

Diversity among teachers undoubtedly advances the academic achievement of students. Compliance obligations establish a baseline which we seek to exceed. As a district, Framingham Public Schools is committed to achieving, developing, and maintaining a workforce reflective of the rich racial, linguistic, and cultural diversity of our students. Framingham Public Schools aims to teach our children, and ourselves, to be culturally proficient and inclusive in order to live, learn, and work together in a vibrant and diverse world.

Indeed, Framingham Public Schools is committed to inspiring our school community to be accepting and willing to learn from individuals with differing backgrounds. Our goal is to reflect the diverse community we serve and create a great place to work for everyone by embracing the individual skills, perspectives, and experiences our people bring to the workplace and harnessing these for high performance and improved service delivery. We want our employees to feel included, valued, and respected and have access to equal opportunity, which supports full participation at work. Framingham Public Schools seeks to retain the diverse talent in our workforce and support our people to maintain a long and productive working career.

Framingham Public Schools is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment and strongly encourages applications from persons with disabilities and who identify as members of historically underrepresented groups.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

Valid Massachusetts Occupational Therapist license. Master's degree preferred. At least 2 years of relevant experience is preferred.

Framingham Public Schools seeks candidates whose background, teaching, or service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and inclusion in all aspects of education. Also, we are interested in candidates who will bring to their professional practice the perspective that comes from a non-traditional educational background or an understanding of the experiences of those underrepresented in the educational field.

SKILLS AND ABILITY:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory in the educational field; to communicate clearly and concisely both in oral and written form; to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups including staff, parents and the general public; to read, analyze and interpret professional periodicals and journals, technical procedures and governmental regulations; to write reports and correspondence, as needed; to use reasoning ability to evaluate information and determine/recommend an appropriate course of action; to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions; to use professional literature, evidence-based research, and continuing education content to make practice decisions; to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, parents, staff and the community; to work independently, prioritize tasks and manage several projects simultaneously; to perform duties with awareness of all district requirements, state and federal laws, and Framingham Public Schools policies (as long as the policies do not conflict with the Framingham Teachers Association (Unit A) Contract); to work with students and families of diverse backgrounds with diverse needs in an equitable and inclusive manner that bears witness to cultural proficiency and competency; to maintain appropriate confidential records; to react professionally and objectively to unpredictable situations (e.g. environmental changes, behavior/aggression, seizure activity, etc.); to operate and/or acquire skills to operate a computer and related software including but not limited to Google; and ability/willingness to plan, coordinate, conduct and participate in ongoing professional and staff development.

Experience evaluating student skills and writing reports to interpret/summarize findings. Strong collaborative, teaching, coaching, and leadership skills to support student programming and work in a team setting. Strong problem-solving skills to support student success. Strong data-collection skills to help to inform decisions for students. Strong verbal and written communication skills. Strong organizational skills to balance the demands of a multi-tasking position. A proactive and solution-focused approach to meeting student needs. Knowledge of specialized content areas as well as any related laws and procedures.

Ability to plan and implement lessons based on district and school objectives and the needs and abilities of students to whom assigned; and to use instructional technology appropriately and work with students to facilitate their use of instructional technology.

Ability to consistently collaborate with colleagues through shared planning and/or informal conversation to analyze student performance and development, and to plan appropriate interventions at the classroom or school level; and to regularly provide advice and expertise to general education teachers and the school community to support the creation of appropriate and effective academic, behavioral, and social/emotional learning experiences for students.

Experience writing IEPs. Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices and procedures of special education and specialty area(s). Knowledge of special education procedures to maintain appropriate confidential records Thorough knowledge of the principles and methodology of effective teaching of students with disabilities. Ability to establish and maintain standards of behavior. Knowledge of relevant technology including the use of technology such as i-pads to individualize instruction. Must have the ability and proven ability to report to work on a regular and punctual basis.

Should have knowledge of: 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; accurate assessment of the developmental status and educational needs of children and young adults; methods of identification and analysis of areas of developmental sensory-motor dysfunction; development and implementation of treatment plans, goals, and objectives to correct sensory-motor dysfunction; and understanding of child development and curriculum and instruction materials used at various grade levels are essential skills in order to assist the students in accessing their learning environment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as an illustration of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

• Provides occupational therapy services, as identified through special education students enrolled in the educational programs of Framingham Public Schools

• 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 FPS 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 FPS 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

• Maintains an in-depth knowledge of the laws and policies governing Special Education in Massachusetts, 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

• Liaison for OT therapy students

• Develops a Plan of Care for Medicaid eligible OT students, which may include specific instructions to students, parents, teachers, and other professionals on the interdisciplinary team

• Establishes schedules for therapy sessions

• Establishes and maintains effective and efficient record keeping procedures

• Maintains accurate daily records and data collection to document students' attendance, progress, including requirements for Medicaid

• Verifies students' Medicaid eligibility and writes a Plan of Care for those who are eligible

• Manages time, materials, and equipment effectively

• Performs other duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL WORKING CONDITIONS:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be required to move about and may be required to traverse occasionally throughout the school building;

• Must often remain in a stationary position for considerable periods of time;

• Is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and sit, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl;

• Is expected to lift at least 20 lbs (i.e. books, school supplies, etc.);

• Must frequently use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and use hand strength to grasp tools;

• Must be able to assist students who have physical difficulties;

• Operate a computer and other office productivity machinery (i.e., a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer);

• Must be able to input information into a computer and as well as read material from a computer monitor as well as handwritten or printed matter with or without visual aids;

• Must be able to communicate effectively with students, parents, and other staff members in person, via email, and on the telephone;

• In the classroom, must be able to see and hear on a continuous basis in order to ensure the safety of students as well as speak frequently to provide instruction;

• Must be able to assist students who have physical difficulties;

• May be required to move quickly across even or uneven surfaces;

• Working in a normal school environment with an acceptable level of noise;

• Must interact with students, parents, and other staff members;

• Must be able to kneel, sit, stand, crawl, push, and pull to assist and teach children throughout the day;

• Is directly responsible for the safety, well-being, and work output of students;

• Must be able to interact with students, parents, and other staff members and occasionally must meet multiple demands from several people;

• While the majority of the workday is spent inside, must spend time outdoors for recess, fire drills, and special activities;

• May be exposed to bodily fluids, disease, or pathogens;

• May receive unintentional injuries from aggressive students;

• May be required some degree of physical interaction with students who have difficulty controlling physical behavior;

• May provide limited personal care to students;

• Must occasionally lift or position students to provide services;

• May be exposed to volatile and assaultive behavior;

• Must be able to stand, walk, and/or push a wheelchair for extended periods of time as well as provide assistance and personal care to students;

• May be transferred to a different school depending on students' needs and fit in the best interest of children; and

• This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee, and is subject to change by the employer, as the needs of the employer and the requirements of the job change.

REPORTS TO:

Special Education Director. The performance of this job will be evaluated as per the Framingham Teachers Association (Unit A) Contract.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

None

FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT (FLSA) CLASSIFICATION:

This position is classified as Exempt (Professional).

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Covered under the Framingham Teachers Association (Unit A) Contract. Please note that the District reserves the right to transfer all personnel among buildings on an as-needed basis to serve the best interests of all students as long as this does not conflict with the Framingham Teachers Association (Unit A) Contract.

HELPFUL LINKS:

Framingham Teachers Association Contract

Click here for more information about our amazing benefits!

Framingham Public Schools provides equal employment. opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Framingham Public Schools complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the District has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. Framingham Public Schools expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, ancestry, marital status, or veteran status.

Rev. 2023