Occupational Therapist - 25-26 School Year

 **This position is for the 25-26 School Year

Job Title: Occupational Therapist

Department: Special Education

Education Level and Certification: Bachelors degree or higher required. Must possess at all times during employment Nebraska licensure as an Occupational Therapist and such other licensures or certifications as may be required by HHS, NDE and the ESU, in additional to all other required or assigned certification and training.

Reports To: Director of Special Education

Terms of Employment:  185 days / Schedule 4

Required Job Tasks

1. Plan, organize, and implement activities that help develop educational, vocational, and daily living skills, as well as general independence of students in need of school occupational therapy services.
2. Plan, organize, and implement activities that allow students to access and benefit from their specialized instruction plans across environments, including, but not limited to the following settings: school, work-based learning site, community sites, childcare centers, family homes.
3. Assess student physical abilities and review medical data to determine eligibility for special education services.
4. Assess for and make environmental and other adaptations to the educational environment to support both physical functioning and sensory integration.
5. Participate in team meetings for the verification of students with disabilities (MDTs) and the development of IEPs and 504 Plans and implement provisions of IEPs and 504 Plan accommodations for students.
6. Provide written documentation to MDT, IEP, 504, problem-solving, or other teams regarding student evaluation, current performance, goals, services, recommendations, and progress reports.
7. Help students improve decision making, abstract reasoning, memory, sequencing, coordination and perceptual skills, using computer programs and other strategies.
8. Provide training to special education staff, paraprofessionals, administrators, school nurses, families, and others, as appropriate, in carrying out day-to-day activities designed to enhance student’s physical, motor, and sensory functioning.
9. Design and create, or requisition, special supplies and equipment, that supports students and teams in reaching occupational therapy goals.
10. Refer parents and students, as appropriate, to community resources and services.
11. Maintain an accurate record of therapy sessions, consultations, and other activities, as requested by the supervisor.
12. Participate, as requested, in training sessions, conferences, seminars, departmental, and ESU-wide meetings.
13. Keep abreast of changing developments, trends, instructional, and educational technologies.
14. Supervise and provide clinical direction to Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTA) and/or Occupational Therapy Aide as requested.

Required Knowledge:

1. Subject Matter—Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for assessment, treatment, and development of skills that require the provision of occupational therapy services within the school setting.
2. Therapy and Counseling—Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions.

Work Activities:

1. Assisting and Caring for Others—Provide occupational therapy services, personal assistance, emotional support, or other personal care to students. Evaluate students’ skills or capacities in relation to occupational therapy services in the school-setting. Position student for occupational therapy. Work with students with physical disabilities who may also have other disabilities.
2. Getting Information—Observe, receive, and otherwise obtain information from all relevant sources. Collect clinical data. Obtain information from students, parents, educators and other professionals.

FLSA Status: Exempt

          Professional exemption:  The employee has a primary duty of performing work requiring knowledge of an advanced type in a field of science or learning customarily acquired by a prolonged course of specialized intellectual instruction and study or has a primary duty of teaching, tutoring, instructing, or lecturing in the activity of imparting knowledge and is employed and engaged in this activity as a teacher.

Essential Functions: The essential functions of the Occupational Therapist position include (1) regular, punctual, dependable in-person attendance on the job; (2) the ability to perform the identified performance responsibilities, job tasks and to effectively utilize the identified knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the identified work activities; and (3) the ability to perform the following identified physical requirements.

It is the policy of ESU 13 to not discriminate on the basis of sex, disability, race, color, religion, veteran status, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, or other protected status in its educational programs, admission policies, employment policies or other administered programs.  Persons requiring accommodations to apply and/or be considered for positions are asked to make their request to the ESU 13 Administrator.