Occupational Therapist

Occupational Therapist-Special Education

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Four-Year Degree

• Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may find appropriate and acceptable.

REPORTS TO: Exceptional Children's Director

SUPERVISES: COTA

JOB GOAL:

Under general or occasional supervision, leads the process in development, implementation and coordination of the occupational therapy program for their assigned schools. Their work involves screening, evaluations, educational program and transition planning, therapeutic intervention, and exit planning for their students identified with or suspected of having disabilities, that interfere with their ability to perform daily life activities or participate in necessary or desired occupations. Professional judgment and clinical knowledge are used to develop individualized programming based on occupational performance deficits in the areas of personal care, student role, interaction skills, process skills, play, community integration/work, and graphic communication. Employee is responsible for documenting treatment planning and treatment activities, preparing evaluation reports, documenting student progress, documentation for Medicaid/Fee for Service billing for all eligible students, consulting with parents, classroom teachers and agency representatives. Employee is also responsible for modifications of equipment and or environment and site based in- service training as necessary.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Consults with school-based team to achieve student outcomes.

• Provides classroom programs, instruction in management techniques, adapted equipment, and environmental modifications including the identification of architectural barriers.

• Educates student, educational personnel, and family to facilitate skills in areas of occupation as well as health maintenance and safety.

• Monitors and reassesses the effects of occupational therapy intervention and the need to continue, modify, or discontinue

• Documents occupational therapy services to ensure accountability of service provision and to meet standards for reimbursement of services as appropriate.

• Prioritizes and schedules work tasks independently.

• Manages inventory of therapeutic equipment and assessments checked out to the therapist and /assigned school(s).

• Maintains clinical and administrative records in accordance with professional standards, state guidelines, and school system policy.

• When assigned, provides legal and ethical supervision of occupational therapist assistant assuming responsibility for the students served by the assistant.

• Submits accurate and timely caseload information to supervisor based on monthly, quarterly or semester reporting periods.

• Logs therapy services in electronic data management system for each session provided.

• Collaborates with other disciplines to ensure team understanding of student occupational performance strengths and needs, through evaluation educational program planning and service delivery.

• Assess student's ability using appropriate evaluation tools including standardized tests, observations, functional and behavioral assessments and review of medical and educational reports.

• Conducts interviews with parents and staff to determine the need for a therapy intervention plan. Must have the ability to research and determine evidence-based practice supporting therapy interventions.

• Synthesizes evaluation results into comprehensive written report, which reflects strengths and barriers to student participation in the educational environment directly related to referral and concern.

• Participates in continuing education for professional development to ensure practice consistent with established best practice and NC Licensure requirements.

• Uses professional Code of Ethics and standards of practice to guide ethical decision making in practice.

• Advises administration and staff regarding: bus travel safety; lifting and transfer techniques; architectural barriers and adapted equipment; oral motor techniques and precautions; medical precautions and feeding issues.

• Position is contingent on finishing all duties and may involve minimal extended employment beyond the school year.

• Performs other related work as required.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

10-month year. Salary based on state salary scale.

EVALUATION:

Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board's policy on (Certain Policy).

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to maintain confidentiality of student

• Ability to follow detailed written and oral

• Working knowledge of effective methods of dealing with

• General knowledge of methods of adapting instruction, equipment and tools for students with special

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work

• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; ability to communicate with school personnel, students, and parents while complying with the confidentiality requirements in local, state, and federal policies and statutes.

• Physical ability (able to exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally) and dexterity to perform the duties and responsibilities of the job, such as, walk, lift, stoop, stand, grasp, kneel, crouch and key requiring repetitive

• Physical ability to lift students of various weights independently and with shared responsibilities.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

Holds a four-year degree in occupational therapy from an accredited occupational therapy professional program recognized by NCBOT and have completed all fieldwork requirements. Two years of experience as an occupational therapist, preferably in a school system or pediatric practice setting or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required combination of knowledge, skills and abilities. Initial certification by National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapy. The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. The individuals currently holding this position perform additional duties and additional duties may be assigned.