Occupational Therapist (.5 FTE)

Department:Student Services

FLSA Status (Exempt/Non-exempt): Exempt; Unit A

Reports to:  Occupational Therapist Coordinator

In compliance with state and federal laws, newton public schools is committed to equity, anti-racism and a nondiscrimination policy for students, employees and prospective applicants. All educational and employment determinations are based on an individual’s qualifications and achievements without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, pregnancy, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, ancestry, homelessness, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by state and/or federal statute.

SUMMARY:  This position provides school-based occupational therapy is designed to enhance the student’s ability to fully access and be successful in the learning environment.  School based OT helps facilitate independence and students perform important learning and school related to fulfill their role as students in the least restrictive environment.

Qualifications:

  Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Minimum of 5-years’ experience in OT; school setting preferred
• Ability to handle multitude of varying and complex issues
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Solid technical skills
• Demonstrated Organizational skills

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities (Not Limited To) 

• Evaluate and determine the needs for OT services by identifying the perceptual/sensory/motor/developmental delay or underlying impairment that limit/prevent a student from accessing the educational curriculum.
• Evaluates and determines needs related to visual perception, motor proficiency, social skills, handwriting, activities of daily living, self-feeding, fine motor, sensory processing, psychosocial skills, eating, self-care, organization by promoting independence
• Works with a (RTI model) through tiered instruction to provide support through regular education.
• Provides consultation with the teachers, aides, team members.  In consultation, the therapist and teacher form a cooperative partnership and engage in a reciprocal problem solving process.  The goal of consultation is to enhance the student’s skills to improve academic performance.
• Uses direct and indirect services, school occupational therapists collaborate with families, teachers and other team members staff to help implement a child's special education program.
• Provides consultation to/collaboration with teachers regarding specific special education students, best instructional strategies and classroom accommodations
• Suggests adaptations to environment an order to maximize student performance
• Supports students in a accessing their school and curriculum
• Develops plans/ course of action to improve skill area
• Determines ways to adapt skill in order to fit with current level of functioning
• Evaluates and addresses skills that limit the child's ability to participate and succeed at school including educational, social, and functional skills.
• Provides direct or consultative services; modify or adapt schools tools and materials in order for a student to access the educational curriculum in a fix manner and as independent as possible
• Consistent and on-time attendance is required or supervision and instruction of the students
• Responsible for implementing “other job related duties” as needed

Work Environment & Physical Requirements:

Work Environment:

• School setting
• Office setting
• May be required to respond quickly to students, which may require running
• Some driving required

 
Physical Requirements:

• Regularly required to lift and/or move objects weighing up to 50 pounds.