OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

BASIC FUNCTION:

Under the general supervision of the Director of Curriculum and Instruction - Special Education and Early Childhood Education provides occupational therapy services to students with disabilities in accordance with Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals; assists in the case management of services to students; maintains records and documentation of students.  Assesses students’ functional development level providing appropriate treatment to meet individual student objectives and provides recommendations for program development and student placement.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Assesses students’ fine motor and development skills (i.e., perceptual-motor, motor coordination, sensory development, muscle strength) to determine their deficits and develop recommendations.
• Assesses student physical abilities in an educational environment by gathering data in such areas as oral motor skills, sensory integration, motor planning, developmental function, self care, fine motor function, work behavior, endurance and postural tone.
• Evaluate students using standardized tests, observation, and/or clinically derived surveys in areas including perceptual-motor skills, motor coordination, and sensory motor development and processing.
• Consult with teachers, parents, other personnel and/or outside professionals to get information, develop plans for services and/or make recommendations.
• Explain and clarify occupational therapy goals and services to District staff, family members and personnel in other agencies.
• Provide assistance to educational staff through consultation and training.
• Participate in the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meeting to develop or update goals and objectives and identify the level of service to meet these goals and objectives.
• Provide occupational therapy services according to Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals and intervention plans developed for individual students.
• Provide consultation services to classroom teachers to optimize students’ involvement (i.e., handwriting programs, feeding, seating, modifying activities or environment or pencil/scissor grasp and usage).
• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary team members upon written referral; devise a treatment program aimed at improving the identified areas of function, as they relate to the child’s educational needs.
• Assist with the development of therapy services, such as adapting school and classroom environment and learning materials to improve student functioning and facilitate access to curricular and instructional activities.
• Monitor the use of adaptive equipment.
• Instruct students in order to implement plans for remediation of functional limitations.
• Screen students to determine the need for further individualized assessment.
• bserve and control behavior and interaction of students according to approved procedures.
• Use positive restraint techniques according to established procedures as necessary.
• Monitor student progress.
• Prepare detailed records and reports concerning student progress and daily activities.
• Maintain records and reports as required and for complying with local and state regulations, administrative policies, and state and federal laws and regulations.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive and privileged information.
• Research resources and methods (i.e., intervention and treatment techniques, assessment tools, methods and community resources) in order to determine the appropriate approach for addressing students’ functional goals.
• Attend and participate in a variety of meetings, workshops and in-service trainings to maintain current knowledge of developments in the field of Occupational Therapy.
• Administer first aid or necessary physical assistance to ill or distressed students.
• Lift and position students in and out of wheelchairs, braces and/or other orthopedic equipment, individually or with the assistance of other staff.
• Drive a vehicle to various sites to conduct work.
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OTHER DUTIES:

Performs related duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university. 
• Experience working with students with disabilities.
• Knowledge of child development, neuromuscular function and dysfunction; sensory motor integration; kinesiology, skeletal anatomy; and basic pathology related to orthopedic disabilities.
• Demonstrate adaptability to changing circumstances and priorities within the learning environment.
• Ability to plan and organize work to meet schedules and timelines while working independently with little direction.

 REQUIRED LICENSES/CERTIFICATES

Possess and maintain a valid California Driver’s License

Possess and maintain a California Board of Occupational Therapy License

Possess and maintain valid CPR and First Aid certifications