Occupational Therapist - Special Education Department (24-25 SY)

JOB TITLE: Occupational Therapist

WAGE/HOUR STATUS: Exempt or Nonexempt

PAY GRADE:  Professional 3 

REPORTS TO:  Director of Special Education

DUTY DAYS: 187 Days

DEPARTMENT:  Specialized Learning Services

DATE REVISED:  June 2020

This position is eligible for a Non-Chapter 21 Contract

PRIMARY PURPOSE:

Plan and provide therapy services to improve students’ function and participation in special education and general education settings in accordance with individual education plan developed by the ARD committee.  Therapists work to improve, develop, restore, and/or maintain a student's sensory/motor functions as they relate to the educational setting.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Education/Certification:  

Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited institution or grandfathered

in with a Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited institution

Valid Texas License as an occupational therapist granted by the Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners

Special Knowledge/Skills:

Knowledge of occupational therapy assessments, therapeutic/occupational based activities, and equipment used in school-based practice. 

Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills

Minimum Experience:  

Successful completion of a pediatric affiliation, school-based preferred, and/or school-based occupational therapy experience 

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

Referral and Assessment:

• Understand the differences between school-based and medical based pediatric occupational therapy.
• Assist in referral and identification processes through screening, information review, and consultation with educational staff as appropriate.
• Determine student eligibility for therapy services through appropriate assessment procedures.
• Complete wel1-written assessment report in a timely manner.
• Interpret and disseminate assessment information to ARD committee.
• Conduct periodic reassessment of therapy objectives as indicated by student needs.
• The occupational therapist will determine the students’ functional skill level and/or prerequisite skill needs of students to assist special education teachers with writing new goals for students.

Program Planning:

• Coordinate therapy services with school personnel and community agencies.
• Participate in conferences pertinent to student's therapy needs.
• Participate with ARD committee in developing individual educational plans.
• With parent consent, communicate effectively with outside agencies.
• Ability to supervise a certified occupational therapist assistant while having a caseload of students

Intervention/Service Delivery:

• Provide therapy intervention services consistent with goals established by the ARD committee and
• maintain appropriate reports/documentation.
• Participate in a student’s re-evaluations to determine the continuation or dismissal of therapy services. 
• Provide student specific indirect and or direct occupational therapy services.  
• Manage intervention programs carried out by others.
• Maintain inventories of occupational therapy equipment, materials, and supplies.
• Discontinue intervention program when appropriate.
• Provide child-specific consultation.
• Maintain inventories of equipment materials, and supplies.
• Provide Response to Intervention services following Texas Occupational Therapy License and Irving ISD guidelines. 
• Remain current and comply with department medicaid billing submissions. 

Consultation/Education:

• Effectively communicate with school personnel, students, and parents regarding therapy
• programs/purposes as they benefit students and/or educational programs.
• Promote effective interdisciplinary relationships to enhance student achievement.
• Provide information on architectural barriers, classroom modifications and/or safety precautions.
• Provide formal/informal in-service education.
• Develop and maintain effective individual and group relationships with students, school personnel, and parents.

Communications:

• Demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Exhibit ability to coordinate educational programming with therapy staff, classroom/educational staff, school administration, and outside agencies as appropriate.

Professional Growth/Ethics:

• Participate in continuing education and professional growth objectives.
• Integrate evidence based best practices into program planning.
• Use clinical educational research.
• Be an active participant in PLCs
• Facilitate parent and staff training sessions

SUPERVISORY RESPONSBILITIES:  

• Supervise Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant per the Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners standards if needed

PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES:

• Abide  by the Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics
• Adhere to all board policies, district administrative procedures, and the Individuals with Disabilities Act

The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills that may be required.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:   Maintain professionalism with all staff members.  Must maintain emotional control and exercise reasoning and problem-solving skills while under stress. Must demonstrate ability to communicate effectively (verbal and written). Ability to be flexible.  Should be able to interpret procedures and analyze data for decision-making. Frequent in-district and occasional in-state travel. Moderate lifting and transferring students from wheelchairs to adaptive seating. Occasional prolonged and irregular hours.

Safety:  Contribute to the prevention of accidents and injuries by observing safety rules and District policy, practicing the principles and skills taught in safety training, wearing personal protective equipment as required, reporting injuries and incidences immediately to supervisor, and being proactive in the ongoing efforts to improve and maintain workplace safety.

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills that may be required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Salary : $59,417 - $82,056