Occupational Therapist

JOB POSTING POSITION/TITLE:Occupational Therapist (OT) PROGRAM/LOCATION:Bridgewater-Raynham and North River Learning Center Classroom Locations START DATE:August 25, 2025 (2025 Summer Hours TBD) LENGTH OF POSITION:Eleven month schedule, full school-year (183 days) and summer hours (six weeks) as assigned. SALARY SCHEDULE:Certified Teacher/Licensed Therapist QUALIFICATIONS: Degree in occupational therapy from an accredited school of occupational therapy. License from the Massachusetts Board of Allied Health Professionals. Current National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification or other evidence of ongoing professional development. Three or more years of school-based and/or pediatric experience preferred. REPORTS TO:Coordinator of District Services SUPERVISES:Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) or OT/COTA students when assigned EVALUATION:Staff evaluation will be implemented as outlined in the North River Collaborative Personnel Policies and Procedures Handbook. JOB RESPONSIBILITIES: INSTRUCTIONAL/DIRECT SERVICE Perform contextual observations and screenings as requested to determine if barriers that limit student participation within the school environment exist and if further OT evaluation is indicated. Provide assessment and evaluation procedures for referred students in accordance with special education regulations and Collaborative policies and procedures, including activity and environmental analysis and make recommendations to improve the fit for greater access, progress, and participation. Able to use appropriate developmental scales, informal assessments, contextual observations and/or standardized tests to evaluate the student in contextually relevant occupational therapy areas. Synthesize evaluation result into a comprehensive written report which reflects strengths and barriers to student participation in the educational environment. Communicate results of observations, screenings and evaluations and other OT reports to the educational staff, parents, students (when appropriate), administrators or others as needed. In conjunction with team, contribute to Individualized Educational Plan. Plan and develop evidence-based interventions that are designed to improve student performance in learning environments throughout the school and optimize their performance through specific adaptations and accommodations. Provide therapy in least restrictive and appropriate setting based on individual needs of students. Evaluate treatment effectiveness through observation, data collection and analysis, re-evaluation, and communication with other staff members. Revise intervention plan and goals as necessary. Complete progress reports, annual reviews and three-year re-evaluations and other reports as needed. Consult with educators and other school staff to offer curricular and environmental modifications to support diverse learning abilities. Provide training to educators, parents and other school staff as needed to support implementation of recommended procedures or adaptations. Support students’ other educational goals across school settings. Order, construct and/or adapt equipment and/or assistive technology to meet the educational and environmental needs of the students. Maintain an inventory of OT equipment and supplies and keep equipment and supplies clean and orderly. Communicate with outside professionals or agencies as related to students’ educational needs in accordance with confidentiality guidelines. Act as a resource to students, parents and staff members who wish to further their understanding of occupational therapy. SUPERVISION AND TRAINING Supervise COTA and provide necessary training and evaluation of their job performance. Supervise and evaluate OT/COTA students when assigned following appropriate guidelines. DOCUMENTATION, EVALUATION, AND COMMUNICATION Submit all written reports, goals and objectives on a timely basis. Keep student attendance, progress monitoring, third-party billing and other documentation current and orderly. Provide input for the development of department, program or district budget as requested. Abide by established work hours and follow policies and procedures outlined in the North River Collaborative Personnel Policies & Procedures Handbook. Confer/meet with parents as needed to help them better understand the role of the OT in the school setting, including student’s individual plan. Provide home suggestions when indicated. Attend Annual Review and other meetings as requested. HEALTH AND SAFETY Respond to the needs of individual students so as to enhance their social/emotional health and personal development. Respond to situations in a culturally proficient manner taking into account a whole student perspective. With training, is able to apply de-escalation strategies if necessary to prevent a student from harming themselves or others. Able to safely lift students up to 50 lbs independently and assist in lifting students up to 100 lbs. Able to physically assist students during activities such as: toileting, personal hygiene, in/out of adaptive equipment and mechanical lifts, and other self-care tasks as needed. Able to move with reasonable speed and physically assist students during any emergency drills or actual emergencies. Able to safely and effectively participate in restraint training and to safely perform physical escort and restraints as needed once trained. Able to safely and effectively participate in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training if requested and to safely perform CPR as needed once trained. ETHICAL Maintain a high level of ethical behavior and confidentiality of information about students. Maintain professional attitudes and productive relationships with other staff and administration. Treat parents and other professionals with respect. Respond constructively to feedback and goal oriented coaching. OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED BY THE PROGRAM COORDINATOR