Occupational Therapist *2025-26 School Year

Description

Job Title: Occupational Therapist *2025-26 School Year 

Employee Classification: Salaried, Exempt- Full-Time

Employee Reports To: Principal, Akron

Summary

Julie Billiart Schools is a network of schools serving children in grades K-8 with special learning challenges. Currently there are campuses in Akron, Lyndhurst, Westlake and soon to be Brecksville (open Fall 2024) that offer unique learning environments for students with autism, ADD/ADHD, dyslexia and social learning challenges. We are Catholic, non-public schools that respect diverse faith traditions.

Under general direction, The Occupational Therapist is responsible for assessing students' functional physical development level; planning and implementing appropriate treatment to meet individual student objectives; identifying environment barriers; providing recommendations for accessibility, program development and student placement; and providing direction to appropriate personnel.

Duties and Responsibilities

The following is a list of primary duties and responsibilities. Other duties to be assigned as needed. Reasonable accommodations can be made to employees with qualified disabilities who can perform the essential functions of the job, so long as there is no undue hardship created upon the organization or other employees within the organization.

•  Administers occupational therapy procedures and modalities for the purpose of achieving program objectives.
•  Assesses students' fine and gross motor skills and functional abilities (e.g. perceptual-motor, hand functions, motor coordination sensory development, muscle strength, etc.) for the purpose of determining and developing recommendations for occupational therapy treatment, appropriate assistive devices and/or curriculum access.
•  Collaborates with a variety of groups and/or individuals (e.g. parents, teachers, physicians, administration, maintenance personnel, team members, other professionals, etc.) for the purpose of communicating information, resolving issues and providing services in compliance with established guidelines.
• Consults with teachers, parents, other personnel and/or outside professionals for the purpose of providing requested information, developing plans for services, making recommendations and/or coordinating services.
•  Develops treatment plans, interventions and/or educational materials from the IEP for the purpose of remediating students’ motor skill deficits and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
•  Interprets medical and academic reports in order to ensure that treatment/intervention plans are appropriate.
•  Maintains files and/or records (e.g. progress reports, activity logs, treatment plans, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring the availability of information as required for reference and/or compliance.
•  Prepares a wide variety of written materials (e.g. activity logs, correspondence, memos, treatment plans, evaluations, reports, etc.)
•  Provides direct occupational therapy services for the purpose of developing students’ daily living skills in compliance with established goals and objectives.
•  Researches resources and methods (e.g. intervention and treatment techniques, assessment tools and methods, community resources, etc.) in order to determine the appropriate approach for addressing students' functional goals.
•  Responds to inquiries (e.g. parents, teachers, staff, students, etc.).
•  Screens students in order to assess the need for further individualized evaluation.

Requirements

Education and Experience and Qualifications

•  Ohio State Board license as an Occupational Therapist required. 
•  ODE license as an Occupational Therapist required. 
•  Experience as an occupational therapist in school system or other pediatric practice setting preferred. 
•  Knowledge of human development throughout the life span and integrates with student’s unique developmental status.
•  Knowledge and use of occupational therapy theories, models of practice, principles, and evidence-based practice to guide intervention decisions.
•  Knowledge of the federal, state, local legislation, regulations, policies and procedures that mandate and guide occupational therapy practice in schools.
•  Ability to gather and assess outcomes program evaluation data and to use to modify services at the programmatic level.
•  Ability to determine the need for an occupational therapy evaluation and to select and administer appropriate assessment tools to evaluate the student.
•  Ability to interpret the evaluation data and write a comprehensive report that reflects strengths and barriers to student’s participation and occupational performance.
•  Ability to develop occupationally based intervention plans based on evaluation information.
•  Ability to provide evidence based occupational therapy intervention to improve student’s performance skills and participation.
•  Ability to adapt and modify environments, equipment, and materials including assistive technology.
•  Ability to plan, coordinate, and conduct continuing education for educational personnel, parents, and students.
•  Ability to use professional literature, evidence based research, and continuing education content to make practice decisions.
•  Skilled in effective oral and written communication. 
•  Knowledge of teaching methods, curriculum and education programs designed for students with autism, ADD/ADHD, dyslexia and social learning challenges.
•  Must be able to work effectively as a team member, demonstrate flexibility and desire to learn new skills and improve professional qualifications.
•  Belief and commitment to the JB way and mission and to embracing the Sisters of Notre Dame’s philosophies and teachings

Physical Requirements

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 regularly required to sit for long periods of time.
•  The employee is regularly required to Speak, stand, talk, walk, sit, see, and hear (corrected or uncorrected). 
•  The employee is occasionally required to climb, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. 
•  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.   
•  May require prolonged use of a computer keyboard and monitor.

Supervision Received

Reports to and is evaluated by the Principal

Direct Reports

None

Conclusion

This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the job and the general nature and level of work performed within this job. However, this job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, qualifications or physical demands associated with the position.

Julie Billiart Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Julie Billiart Schools complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment