SY 25/26 Occupational Therapist

McPherson Special Education Cooperative has an opening for an Occupational Therapist beginning in August 2025.

Experience: Job related experience within a specialized field is required

Education: Bachelors, Masters, Doctoral degree

Certificate/License: Kansas Board of Healing Arts License

Status: School Year Term - Benefit Eligible

Salary: Certified Salary Schedule__Determined by qualifications and experience

Location: McPherson County Special Education Cooperative

Report to: McCSEC Director

FSLA Classification: Exempt

Purpose Statement

The job of Occupational Therapist is done for the purpose(s) of supporting the instructional program with specific responsibilities for assessing students' functional physical development levels; planning and implementing appropriate therapeutic interventions to meet individual student objectives; identifying architectural barriers; and providing recommendations for accessibility, program development, and student placement. Students are supported in being able to participate in their occupations within the school environment, including academic and non-academic areas across environments.

Essential Functions

• Assesses fine and gross motor skills of student, along with functional abilities (e.g. perceptual-motor, hand functions, motor coordination, sensory development, muscle strength, etc.) for the purpose of determining eligibility, and as deemed necessary, developing recommendations for interventions, appropriate assistive devices, and educational placement.

• Collaborates with a variety of groups and individuals (e.g. parents, teachers, physicians, administration, maintenance personnel, team members, other professionals, etc.) for the purpose of communicating information, interpreting reports, resolving issues, and providing services in compliance with established guidelines.

• Consults with a variety of people (e.g. teachers, parents, other personnel, outside professionals, etc.) for the purpose of providing requested information, developing plans for services, making recommendations, and coordinating occupational therapy services with those of other disciplines.

• Develops educational plans, services, and educational materials for the purpose of remediating students' motor skill deficits and ensuring compliance.

• Directs and evaluates occupational therapy assistants for the purpose of providing an effective school program and addressing the needs of individual students.

• Educates staff on how a student's needs might impact their ability to physically and mentally participate within the school environment for the purpose of implementing therapeutic interventions that will be carried out by the staff to ensure student success.

• Identifies environmental barriers for the purpose of removing them or adapting the environment to meet the physical or sensory needs of students.

• Interprets medical reports for the purpose of providing information and ensuring services and programming are appropriate.

• Maintains complete confidentiality and professional discretion with a variety of confidential and non-confidential activities, files and records (e.g. conversations, emails, progress reports, activity logs, billing information, treatment plans, required documentation, quarterly reports, screening results, etc.) for the purpose of documenting activities, complying with mandated requirements, and providing up-to-date information.

• Participates in a variety of meetings (e.g. workshops, in-services, staff meetings, etc.) for the purpose of conveying and gathering information.

• Prepares a wide variety of written materials (e.g. activity logs, correspondence, memos, therapeutic intervention plans, Medicaid billings, reports, mileage logs, etc.) for the purpose of documenting activities, providing written reference, and conveying information.

• Provides direct occupational therapy service for the purpose of developing daily living skills in compliance with established goals and objectives.

• Researches resources and methods (e.g. intervention techniques, assessment tools and methods, community resources, etc.) for the purpose of determining the appropriate approach for addressing students' functional goals.

• Responds to inquiries (e.g. parents, teachers, staff, students, etc.) for the purpose of providing information and referral as appropriate.

• Schedules student occupational therapy intervention sessions for the purpose of providing services in an efficient and timely manner.

• Transports supplies and equipment to a variety of sites for the purpose of ensuring the availability of items as needed.

• Travels to multiple work sites for the purpose of providing services to students and supports to staff.

Other Functions

• Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Job Requirements: Minimum Qualifications

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

SKILLS are required to perform multiple, technical tasks with a need to occasionally upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: applying assessment instruments; operating equipment used in occupational therapy strategies; operating standard office equipment including pertinent computer software; and preparing and maintaining accurate records.

KNOWLEDGE is required to perform algebra and/or geometry; review and interpret highly technical information, write technical materials, and/or speak persuasively to implement desired actions; and analyze situations to define issues and draw conclusions. Specific knowledge based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: age appropriate activities; concepts of grammar and punctuation; health standards and hazards; safety practices and procedures; stages of child development; abnormal development and medical diagnoses related to special education funding categories; current OT therapeutic interventions; and pertinent codes, policies, regulations, and laws.

ABILITY is required to schedule activities, meetings, and/or events; gather, collate, and/or classify data; and use basic, job-related equipment. Flexibility is required to independently work with others in a wide variety of circumstances; work with data utilizing defined but different processes; and operate equipment using standardized methods. Ability is also required to work with a significant diversity of individuals and/or groups; work with data of widely varied types and/or purposes; and utilize a variety of job-related equipment. Independent problem solving is required to analyze issues and create action plans. Problem solving with data may require independent interpretation; and problem solving with equipment is significant. Specific ability based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: adapting to changing work priorities; communicating with diverse groups; maintaining confidentiality; meeting deadlines and schedules; working as part of a team; working with detailed information; maintaining effective working relationships; and translating therapy data into meaningful educational activities.

Responsibility

Responsibilities include: working under limited supervision using standardized practices and/or methods; leading, guiding, and/or coordinating others; operating within a defined budget. Utilization of some resources from other work units is often required to perform the job's functions. There is an opportunity to impact the organization's services.

Work Environment

The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands:, occasional lifting and carrying up to seventy-five (75) pounds, frequent pushing, and/or pulling, some climbing and balancing, frequent stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally the job requires 20% sitting, 75% walking, and 5% standing. The job is performed under conditions with exposure to risk of injury and/or illness.

---