Occupational Therapist

                                                      PENDERGAST SCHOOL DISTRICT

                                                                      Job Description

JOB TITLE:  Occupational Therapist

SALARY LEVEL:                                                                 DEPARTMENT:  Educational Services  

LOCATION:  School(s)                                                       TERM OF EMPLOYMENT:  In accordance REPORTS TO:  Director Special Education                      with current school schedule

SUMMARY:   To contribute to children’s ability to benefit from their education by evaluating and treating those sensori-motor deficits which may impede learning progress and to advise teachers on ways to improve their students’ sensori-motor abilities. 

SUPERVISES:  Occupational Therapist Assistant and if applicable Instructional Assistants

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Degree in occupational therapy
• Valid Arizona Occupational Therapist registration
• Experience in occupational therapy evaluation and treatment of children preferred.

Such alternatives to the above required & preferred qualifications as the Superintendent/Designee may find appropriate and acceptable

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Participates as a consultant in the intervention and pre-referral process to generate and support interventions, accommodations, and modifications in regular education
2. Completes screenings and evaluates as appropriate children referred for occupational therapy
3. Prepares assessment reports for all students evaluated
4. Interprets evaluation findings to parents, IEP teams and instructional staff
5. Recommends and develops appropriate treatment plans for students recommended and included in the occupational therapy program
6. Attends evaluation and IEP meetings of students evaluated and on caseload
7. Designs and implements activities to support a student in meeting the goals of his/her IEP
8. Reevaluates the treatment plans on a regular basis
9. Participates in the development of individual education plans for students with disabilities who require occupational therapy as a support service
10. Serves as a consultant to teachers in developing classroom programs, selecting appropriate equipment and materials to enhance students’ sensory-motor functioning
11. Documents evaluation results, present levels, of performance, IEP goals, treatment and quarterly progress reports in a timely manner
12. Recommends referrals to outside agencies as needed
13. Perform such other duties and assumes such other responsibilities as may be assigned by the Superintendent/Designee

EVALUATION:  Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provision of the Board policy or evaluation of professional personnel. 

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret education materials and programs.  Ability to write reports, procedure manuals, and correspondence.  Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of teachers, students, administration, and the community.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: 

Ability to work with mathematical such as probability and statistical inference.  Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

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 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 required to talk and hear.  The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, sit, and use hands to handle, or feel objects, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.  The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.