.6 Occupational Therapist - Elementary

BELLINGHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS

BELLINGHAM, MASSACHUSETTS

TITLE: .6 Occupational Therapist - Elementary

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the Building Principal and Assistant Superintendent of Student Services, the occupational therapist provides treatment to special education individual student educational programs. This job is responsible for individuals and groups to support specific areas of sensory-motor integration, and all functions of school based occupational therapy.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Understand school-based therapy and related assessment practices
• Experience providing inclusive services within general education classes
• Deliver occupational therapy services within an integrated therapies approach with ongoing consultation with therapists, classroom staff
• Evaluate students' occupational needs and develop measurable goals/objectives
• Conduct evaluations and provide written evaluation reports in accordance to mandated special education timelines
• Provide written progress reports at least on a quarterly basis and otherwise required
• Attend IEP meetings and others as deemed needed by the Principal, Team Chair, and Assistant Superintendent of Student Services
• Provide individual and group therapies for students in accordance with their IEPs.
• Tracks services delivered and student sessions
• Adheres to the adopted policies and procedures of the Bellingham School Committee.
• Other responsibilities/duties as assigned by the Principal, and Assistant Superintendent of Student Services
• Provides recommendations to regular and special education teachers on how to meet the needs of the child. Familiarity with student learning differences and interventions. Provide consultation to teachers regarding differentiated instruction. Ability to gather data and interpret the data to assess interventions. Work as part of a multi disciplinary team.
• Maintains professional competence through in-service education and self-selected professional growth activities.
• Analyze student progress and make adjustments based on data.
• Complete Screenings

SKILLS/ABILITY:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Working knowledge of state and federal special education laws, regulations, and mandates
• Work collaboratively with staff, parents, administrators.
• Excellent organizational skills
• Knowledge of and ability to implement social skills groups.
• Ability to implement and utilize positive behavioral intervention strategies.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES and/or DEGREE REQUIREMENTS:

• Registered Occupational Therapist by National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapists
• Must submit a valid license to practice in the State of Massachusetts.
• Bachelor's degree required, master's degree preferred.

SALARY: Per The BTA Contract

PHYSICAL WORKING CONDITIONS:

You are required to be physically capable of escorting students from the building in case of a practice drill or emergency situation in a safe and timely fashion.

Must be able to move about the classroom and have the ability to bend, sit or stand frequently.

REPORTS TO: Building Principal and Assistant Superintendent of Student Services

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Students

OUR MISSION:

The Bellingham Public School District's enrollment is approximately 1,930 students and an organizational staff of 400 employees. The district is split into the following building grade levels:

DiPietro Elementary (Preschool - Grade 3), Stall Brook Elementary (Preschool - Grade 3) Bellingham Memorial School (grades 4-7) and Bellingham High School (grades 8-12), and Keough Memorial Academy (grades 7-12) is our therapeutic day school for students with special needs.

Our core mission is to foster an environment in which students and staff have opportunities to reach their full potential. The Bellingham School District is committed to providing a challenging and academically motivating education where all students, staff and families accept responsibility for education within their schools.

The School Committee and the Administrative Team support the District Improvement Plan and Strategic Plan. Our goal is to always reach for our vision: The Bellingham Public Schools, in collaboration with students, their families, and the community, will provide a safe learning environment, where the unique strengths of every learner are enhanced and celebrated. We will work together to build a shared sense of pride in the Bellingham Public Schools by amplifying academic excellence, increasing communication, cultivating a positive climate, improving social and emotional well-being, and enhancing technology use and implementation.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

The Bellingham Public Schools does not discriminate in its admissions and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, housing status, political affiliation, genetic information, or disability, in accordance with state and federal law. Additionally, the District does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of homelessness, consistent with the McKinney-Vento Act. The District prohibits retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination, harassment and/or who participate in an Equal Opportunity Commission investigation. If you have any questions, please contact the District's Title IX Coordinator at 4 Mechanic Street, Bellingham, MA 02019, Phone Number: 508-883-1706.