Occupational Therapist Occupational Therapist - Long Term Substitute

Job Description:

Occupational Therapist Needed - Long Term Substitute

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Current Connecticut State Department of Health license as an Occupational Therapist and registered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. (NBCOT.)
• Minimum of a B.S. Degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited college or university.
• Experience as a pediatric occupational therapist in a public school or clinical setting, as deemed appropriate by Administration.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

REPORTS TO: Director of Special Education and Pupil Services

JOB GOAL:

To provide occupational therapy assessment and intervention services to students eligible for special education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act as a related service deemed necessary by a Planning and Placement Team for the student to benefit from special education, or to students eligible for accommodations under a Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act to permit student access to the educational program.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Participates as a member of the Planning and Placement Team (PPT) for students who are referred and evaluated for occupational therapy needs or who are identified as needing such services. Fulfills the professional responsibilities established by the district for PPT members.

• Provides school-based direct and consultative occupational therapy services to students requiring special education or a Section 504 Accommodation Plan.

• Conducts evaluations of students using appropriate evaluation tools.

• Designs appropriate treatment plans and educationally relevant goals and objectives based on assessment information and the environmental and developmental needs of the student, focusing on remediation, prevention, or compensation related to the students ability to function within the school setting, in areas such as activities of daily living, visual-fine motor skills, sensorimotor skills, vocational skills, sensory integration, etc.

• Participates as a member of the Assistive Technology team in evaluating, recommending, procuring, and implementing assistive technology in the classroom to support students who require it.

• Teaches compensatory techniques to help the student achieve a maximum level of independence.

• Encourages follow-through of occupational therapy goals in the classroom setting and supports classroom goals in the therapy treatment program. Instructs classroom staff in appropriate occupational therapy support and carryover techniques and provides regular supervision to staff implementing these techniques.

• Collaborates as a member of the multidisciplinary team and uses a team approach to planning and treatment with school personnel, families, physicians, and agencies.

• Communicates to parents and staff the purpose and goals of occupational therapy in the school setting, how school based occupational therapy differs from medically-based therapy services, and eligibility requirements.

• Establishes an effective working relationship with parents to provide parent training and to support follow-through of occupational therapy goals in the home.

• Designs and constructs adaptive equipment and devices for the student and/or the classroom and assists in maintaining this equipment.

• Maintains records of occupational therapy services provided and collects data on the students performance in order to measure progress.

• Maintains therapy equipment and materials in good working order.

• Participates as an interdisciplinary team member at Planning and Placement Team or Section 504 Accommodation Team meetings as necessary.

• Serves as a resource to the schools Early Intervention Planning (EIP) team meetings, making recommendations and suggestions in area of expertise to classroom teachers for student interventions.

• Assists the Director of Special Education and Pupil Services in budget planning and resource allocation for the therapy program.

• Keeps current on best practices for occupational therapists in school settings and attends appropriate professional development and continuing education activities.

• Attends school and district professional meetings as required.

• Carries out other related duties as assigned by the Director of Special Education and Pupil Services.

TERM OF EMPLOYMENT:

Ten month year

EVALUATION:

Performance evaluated in accordance with Board Policy #4115.