Occupational Therapist

Terms of Employment:  10.5 Month
Exemption Status: Exempt
EACC SALARY SCALE RS15

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE
At the time of application, the candidate must hold or be eligible for:

•   Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctorate Degree of Occupational Therapy from an approved institution

•   Maryland State License in Occupational Therapy

•   Completion of clinical affiliations

•   Pass qualifying examination for national certification

QUALIFICATIONS 
(These are pre-employment knowledge, abilities, and skills that apply to the Essential Job Functions).  At the time of employment, the candidate must have:

•   Knowledge of typical versus delayed/atypical fine motor development, sensory processing, functional mobility, self-help skills, vocational skills, and activities of daily living

•   Demonstrate diagnostic skills in the areas of fine motor, sensory processing, functional mobility, self-help/adaptive, vocational, and daily living

•   Ability to administer formal and informal assessment instruments for the above-mentioned skill areas

•   Ability to analyze and write evaluation reports and Individual Education Plans (IEPs)

•   Knowledge of the Medicaid billing process

•   Knowledge of educational and psychological assessments

•   Knowledge of the general education curriculum

•   Understanding of and ability to maintain rapport with persons from diverse, cultural, ethnic, and racial groups

•   Demonstrate interpersonal skills when working with diverse groups including but not limited to parents, fellow staff, students, administrators, and community agency representatives

•   Demonstrate success in accomplishing tasks akin to those responsibilities listed below

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

•   Screen and/or evaluate students (birth through age 21) referred to the IEP/Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) process. 

•   Administer formal and informal occupational therapy assessments

•   Plan and implement IEP goals and objectives for therapy programs based on eligibility and individual child needs. 

•   Provide consultation to staff, parents and support personnel for implementation of goals. 

•   Maintain all appropriate student documentation. 

•   Determine need for and intensity/frequency of therapy services and consultations in online database

•   Maintain records in accordance with COMAR and county procedures

•   Document data/observations from therapy sessions and consultations

•   Participate in parent conferences and school/departmental meetings as appropriate

•   Modify and adapt equipment and devices for students in their environments. 

•   Maintain ongoing relationships with medical caregivers, vendors and other community service providers as appropriate

•   Provide training and/or consultation to school system staff as needed to address student needs

•   Functions as a member of a team in planning effective treatment programs. 

•   Participate in IEP/IFSP/504/SST (Student Services Team) and clinic/agency meetings as needed

•   Maintain continuing professional development for state license requirements

•   Makes recommendations for supplies and equipment to support student needs

•   Track data and provide quarterly progress reports each marking period

•   Complete and submit monthly Medicaid billing for direct therapy services provided

•   Collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team including teachers, PTs, OTs, COTAs, SLPs, SLPAs, instructional assistants (IAs), behavioral specialists, school psychologists, etc.

•   Report to work promptly

•   Work under stress and meet deadlines

•   Plan a therapy/consultation schedule which meets the needs of students

•   Travel between schools as necessary

•   Provide resource assistance in workshop activities

•   Establish positive public relations between school, families, and community

•   This position is responsible for the above duties and responsibilities and others related to this position as determined by the Director of Special Education

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The environmental factors and/or physical requirements of this position include the following: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to have ordinary ambulatory skills sufficient to visit other locations; and the ability to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, and manipulate (lift, carry, move) light to medium weights of 10-50 pounds. Requires good hand-eye coordination, arm, hand and finger dexterity, including ability to grasp, and visual acuity to use a keyboard. The employee frequently is required to sit, reach with hands and arms, talk and hear.

Charles County Public Schools reserves the right to re-advertise and modify the content of vacancy announcements at any time; however, this may be the only notice for this position during the noted advertisement period.

The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Dr. Michael Blanchard, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial M. Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; / For special accommodations call or TDD two weeks prior to the event.