Occupational Therapist

JOB TITLE: Occupational Therapist

JOB SUMMARY: Position leads the process in development, implementation, and coordination of the occupational therapy program; provides students with occupational therapy assessments and services that are necessary for them to benefit from special education; collaborates and establishes good relationships with parents and other staff members.

EMPLOYEE CATEGORY: Support Services

FLSA STATUS: ?Exempt ?Non-Exempt

EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS: Contract - Salary with Benefits

WORK PERIOD: Defined by Contract
REPORTS TO: Special Education Director

WORKS WITH: Administrators, certified staff, support staff, classified staff

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

EDUCATION LEVEL: Graduation/Degree from an ACOTE-accredited program

REQUIRED CERTIFICATION: Certification from National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Must have the ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time; exhibit manual dexterity to use phone and computer; see and read computer screen and printed material with or without visual aids; hear and understand speech at normal classroom levels, outdoors, and on phone; and, to bend, stoop, sit on floor, climb stairs, walk and reach overhead. May be required to meet sometimes strenuous physical requirements necessary to safely and effectively perform assigned duties including lifting 50 pounds on a regular basis and periodically lifting in excess of 50 pounds with assistance. Must be able to lift and position students with disabilities with assistance; control behavior through physical restraint; assist non-ambulatory students; take appropriate action in emergency situations; and, follow procedures in a calm, responsible manner.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT: Usually works indoors in a climate controlled environment. Some duties may occasionally be performed outdoors or away from school.

TEA AREA BEHAVIORS OF EXCELLENCE:

1. Ability to embrace the organization's mission.

2. Be responsible and follow through with important actions.

3. Do the right thing even when no one is looking.

4. Maintain confidentiality and respect privacy at all times.

5. Ability to establish and maintain effective interpersonal relationships.

6. Work together in a supportive manner by being dependable, trustworthy and flexible.

7. Take personal ownership to improve.

8. Communicate with sincerity, honesty and respect.

9. Maintain a high degree of professionalism.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Conducts assessments of students with disabilities to determine the need for educationally related occupational therapy services.
2. Prepares, analyzes and/or reviews occupational therapy assessment reports for consideration of services.
3. Provides recommendations regarding the frequency and delivery of educationally related occupational therapy services, referral procedures, and protocols.
4. Plans, schedules, implements, and evaluates appropriate educationally related occupational therapy programming.
5. Monitors student progress and develops an appropriate plan to meet individual needs of students.
6. Collaborates on the development of present levels, goals, and benchmarks in IEP meetings.
7. Evaluates need for and provides training to staff and parents/guardians, as appropriate, for use of adaptive equipment to meet educationally related occupational therapy needs.
8. Develops a climate that promotes positive learning conditions.
9. Attends IEP meetings, as appropriate.
10. Works professionally with administrators, staff, parents/guardians, and community.
11. Maintains a safe and orderly therapy environment.
12. Maintains accurate, complete, and correct records as required by law, District policy, and administrative regulation.
13. Continues personal professional growth and upgrading of skills.
14. Completes all trainings and other compliance requirements as assigned by designated deadline.
15. Respects and practices confidentiality both in and out of school with regard to records, activities, and communications relating to all students, parents/guardians, and staff.
16. Performs other duties as assigned.

DISCLAIMER: The preceding description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required. These may be changed, added or deleted at any time with or without notice. Personnel may be required to perform duties outside the scope of their normal responsibilities if needed. The Tea Area School District reserves the right to revise this description at any time.

The District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristics protected by federal, state, or local law, ordinance, or regulation.

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