AZTEC MUNICIPAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

Job Description

Occupational Therapy Assistant

Job Summary

The Occupational Therapy Assistant’s responsibilities include clerical tasks associated with daily operations, administering treatments developed by Occupational Therapist, and maintaining treatment areas, equipment, and supplies.

Reports To:     Director of Exceptional Programs/Building Principal

Qualifications

1. Graduate from an ACOTE accredited occupational therapy assistant program.
2. Current license as an Occupational Therapy Assistant in New Mexico.
3. Current license issued by New Mexico Public Education Department.
4. Compassionate with excellent interpersonal skills.
5. Good working knowledge of occupational therapy practices, procedures, and legal regulations.
6. Good organizational skills and attention to detail.
7. Strong attention to detail.
8. Physical strength.
9. Demonstrated Communication Skills
10. Demonstrated Public Relations Skills
11. Demonstrated Organizational Skills
12. Ability to Perform Essential Job Functions
13. Ability to Perform Job Task Requirements
14. Must complete a fingerprint background check

Desired Qualifications

1. Familiarity and Experience with School based services, special education practices, and Professional Learning Communities.

Essential Functions

1. Collecting, assessing, and recording required student information such as medical history.
2. Implementing treatment plans and helping students perform therapeutic activities.
3. Instructing students  and their families in the skills and techniques of a treatment program.
4. Monitoring patients' performance and providing encouragement.
5. Documenting students’ progress, attitudes, and behavior.
6. Maintaining accurate patient treatment records.
7. Maintaining the work area and equipment and ordering supplies.
8. Attending meetings to review treatments and patient progress.
9. Participating in continuing education classes and staff training.
10. Providing information to supervising occupational therapist and appropriately assisting with evaluation and development of goals and services.
11. Participate as a member of the IEP team in the Individualized Education Planning process.
12. Work with supervising Occupational Therapist to refer students for medical or other professional attention necessary for individual needs.
13. Provide ongoing documentation of student progress, attendance, and therapy sessions.
14. Develop a working schedule designed to meet the needs of all students on a caseload.

1. Participate in other responsibilities as assigned by the Director of Exceptional Programs.

1. Participate as a member of the in-school screening committee when requested
2. Participate in in-service training as assigned
3. Attend scheduled staff meetings and committee meetings as required
4. Order sufficient testing materials to assure availability for diagnostic needs of the district
5. Arrange with building principals for suitable space to administer student tests and evaluations.
6. Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None

Confidentiality

Due to the sensitive nature of this position, the highest degree of confidentiality is required. 

Qualification Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above and below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to eligible individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience: 

Please see Qualifications.

Communication and Language Skills

• Ability to read and analyze and interpret technical procedures and governmental regulations. 
• Ability to assist with preparation of reports and correspondence. 
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from staff, peers and community.

Mathematical Skills 

• Ability to work with basic mathematical concepts

Other Skills and Abilities 

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, peers and community.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely. 
• Ability to use computers and other technology to accomplish job responsibilities. 
• Ability to perform tasks quickly and efficiently and follow verbal directions. 
• Ability to work around congested areas. 
• Ability to work a flexible work schedule around job responsibilities.

Analytical and Reasoning Ability 

• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions. 
• Ability to interpret a variety of technical instructions in written, verbal or diagram form, and deal with abstract variables.

Temperaments 

• Ability to teach others, work with people and influence people in their opinions, attitudes, and judgments. 
• Ability to perform a variety of duties. 
• Ability to work with people who express conflicting opinions. 
• Ability to solve problems, make sound judgments and reach conclusions. 
• Ability to express personal feelings professionally, and perform effectively under stress.

Calculations

• Simple copying, addition, counting, subtraction
• Ability to divide and multiply
• Understanding the metric system and conversions
• Fractions, decimals, and percentages
• Statistics, Use of graphs
• Advanced mathematics
• Theoretical application of statistics and complex math

Language

• Ability to read and understand product labels, policies written at the 10th grade level, and able to follow verbal or demonstrated instructions.
• Ability to explain simple directions, copy data from one form to another
• Complete form letters or answers routine correspondence
• Composes correspondence independently
• Reads and interprets complex technical material
• Ability to speak and understand the Spanish language
• Can prepare complex reports and documents as required
• Ability to speak at meetings and before groups in an articulate manner using prepared materials and on a spontaneous basis

Reasoning Ability

• Routine, repetitive tasks with simple instructions
• Ability to follow detailed instructions that require few changes

• Ability to follow detailed procedures with several potential variables

• Problem solving ability and interpretation of events required for practical matters.
• Ability to accurately interpret behaviors and nonverbal communication and act on decisions
• Logical or deductive thinking required frequently
• Creative, innovative solutions to job problems

Physical Attributes

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, talk or hear, and use hands to finger, handle, type or feel.  The employee may occasionally sit, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and reach with hands and arms.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision. 

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The employee must possess and maintain a current driver’s license. The employee is frequently required to interact with the public and other staff.

Term of Employment

• Determined by School Year Calendar

• Salary per district schedule
• Evaluation annually

Evaluation 

Performance of duty will be evaluated at least annually in accordance with the Aztec School Board Policy

Physical Rating Level

This position will require the employee to function at a “Medium” physical capacity as defined by Worker’s Compensation Statutes.  “Medium” physical capacity indicates the ability to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally or up to 25 pounds frequently.

Physical Requirement Details

Definitions:R = Rarely = 1% to 9% of a 7.5 hour day

            O = Occasionally = 10% to 33% of a 7.5 hour day

            F = Frequently = 34% to 66% of a 7.5 hour day

            C = Continuously = 67% to 100% of a 7.5   hour day

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work expected.  They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees in this job classification.

                                                            Updated 6/2023