Occupational Therapist

JOB TITLE: OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

DEPARTMENT: Specialist Services              

REPORTS TO: Director of Special Services

FLSA STATUS/CLASSIFICATION: Exempt; Professional Salary Schedule

for the 2025-26 school year

SUMMARY: Provides the District with an occupational therapy services geared to assist special needs students to ensure a positive learning environment that enables these students to benefit from the instructional program.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assesses students requiring occupational therapy and determines the evaluation information to be collected and the methods and instruments to be used to best meet each student’s individual needs

• Administers assessment tools and data collection procedures

• Contributes to the IEP process and assists in writing goals and objectives related to specialized instruction for each student requiring occupational therapy; attends and contributes to IEP meetings for identified students

• Develops and coordinates intervention plans when necessary

• Implements intervention plans directly or in collaboration with others, such as teachers and/or other specialists

• Monitors each student’s response to their specific intervention plan and modifies the plan as needed

• Communicates and collaborates with other education team members, family members or other identified caregivers

• Maintains records required by all relevant regulatory agencies and the school system

• Updates, at least annually, IEP goals and objectives and the evaluation of the student’s current status

• Provides supervision Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTA) in accordance with the COTA’s level of skill and role performance

• Provides functional supervision to co-workers in areas of expertise and experience

• Assists the District in providing an effective learning environment

• Maintains vigilance to signs of child abuse or neglect

• May travel to different campuses to provide occupational therapy services to identified special needs students

• Completes all applicable Medicaid Direct Service reimbursement claims paperwork and submits on a monthly basis

• Assists in special class presentations, field trips and activities, as requested

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of disabling conditions that occur before and after birth, as well as the effects on students as related to educational performance

• Ability to operate standard classroom related learning tools and equipment, including occupational therapy related equipment.

• Knowledge of data usage, including research, collection, analysis, synthesis, interpretation, and reporting.

• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing

• Ability to do detailed mathematical computations

• Ability to maintain confidentiality

• Produce accurate work and complete assignments with minimal supervision 

• Ability to apply common sense understanding to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of situations

• Ability to work cooperatively and courteously with staff, students, parents and community members

• Knowledge of applicable Federal and State laws, district procedures and Board policies

• Ability to handle confrontation and conflict in a professional manner

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS: Education & Experience:

• Occupational Therapy degree from an accredited university

• Current Arizona state Occupational Therapist license

• Pediatric occupational therapy experience preferred

• Criminal justice/Fingerprint clearance 

Computer Proficiency:  Demonstrated general proficiency in computer programs such as Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the 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 required to reach with hands and arms.  The employee is frequently required to sit, stand, bend, stoop, kneel and walk.  The employee may be required to move twenty pounds and could occasionally lift or move up to fifty pounds.  

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Indoor school environment.  This position regularly works indoors.  The noise level in the work environment is generally moderate and may become excessively noisy at times.  Contact with employees, students and public.

Disclaimer: The duties and responsibilities identified in this position description are illustrative only and are in no way intended to be a complete list of activities that may be required of an incumbent.  The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the American Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of duties performed for this position.  Additional duties are performed by the individual currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned