Occupational Therapist

Description

School-Based Occupational Therapist

Job Overview: The School-Based Occupational Therapist plays a crucial role in supporting students with physical, sensory, or developmental challenges to participate fully in school activities and achieve educational goals. Working within the school system, the Occupational Therapist assesses students’ functional abilities, develops individualized treatment plans, and provides therapeutic interventions to enhance their participation in academic, social, and self-care tasks.

Reports to: The School-Based Occupational Therapist reports to the Director of Students Services 

Responsibilities and Duties

• Conduct comprehensive evaluations of students referred for occupational therapy services, including but not limited to assessments of motor skills, sensory processing, visual-motor,self regulation, integration, self-care abilities, and functional performance in school-related tasks.
• Interpret evaluation findings to determine students’ strengths, weaknesses, and areas of need in collaboration with parents, teachers, and other members of the educational team.
• Develop individualized treatment plans (Individualized Education Programs or IEPs) based on assessment results and students’ educational goals, ensuring alignment with state and federal regulations governing special education services.
• Provide direct occupational therapy services to students in individual or group settings, targeting specific areas of skill development, such as fine motor coordination, handwriting, sensory regulation, and activities of daily living.
• Implement evidence-based therapeutic interventions and activities to improve students’ functional abilities, independence, and academic performance within the school environment.
• 6. Collaborate with classroom teachers, special education staff, and related service providers to integrate occupational therapy goals and strategies into students’ educational programs and classroom activities.
• Monitor students’ progress and adjust intervention plans as needed, documenting treatment sessions, progress notes, and outcomes data to track student performance and communicate with stakeholders.
• Provide consultation, training, and support to school staff, parents, and caregivers on strategies for promoting students’ independence, sensory regulation, and motor skill development across school and home environments.
• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings, Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings, and other collaborative forums to contribute to the development of comprehensive educational plans and student support strategies.
• Stay abreast of current research, best practices, and emerging trends in occupational therapy and special education to inform evidence-based practice and professional development efforts.

Other

• Attend and participate in weekly Special Education & Inclusion team meetings
• Support school safety by assisting with student arrival and dismissal procedures

Qualifications

Qualifications, Skills and Values

Qualifications

• Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree, preferably in education or special education, or have a bachelor’s and passing Praxis scores by the start of the school year. 
• At least one year of experience as a teacher working with students, preferably with special education needs. 
• Advanced, native or intermediate proficiency in Spanish and English preferred. Urban teaching experience preferred.  

Skills and Values

• Demonstrated ability to be an independent solutions-oriented problem-solver
• Commitment to demonstrate love and joy towards students, colleagues, and the work
• Willing, hard-working attitude with a growth mindset toward self, students, and colleagues
• Demonstrated ability to take ownership of personal work and the school mission
• Capacity to embody the characteristics of a Community Steward by practicing six community building virtues and values every day: 1) Empathy, 2) Speak your truth, 3) Perseverance, 4) Inquiry, 5) Collaboration, and 6) Appreciation

Salary : $70,000 - $85,000