Occupational Therapist

Perkins helps kids with disabilities find their place in the world. An international NGO, we are committed to delivering best-in-class education to children, providing immersive training and support to professionals and families, advocating for inclusion, and accelerating innovation for people with disabilities. At Perkins, we think courageously, act collaboratively, and we own our work. Join a supportive community committed to growth where your work makes a difference. Under the general supervision of the Education Director you will assess, organize, plan and implement the delivery of occupational therapy services for a population of students who are blind, visually handicapped, neurologically handicapped, and severely handicapped. You will provide direct therapy to students and consultation and in-service training to members of the interdisciplinary program team. You will also provide evaluation services to students referred to the School and act as liaison between medical specialists and program staff as appropriate. Essential Duties, Responsibilities and Expectations include the following. Review medical, family and educational history of the student; Assess the student's motor functioning in order to identify abilities and areas of need; Recommend appropriate therapy and develop individual therapeutic objectives for each student referred. Develop on-going treatment plan for each student receiving occupational therapy and provide direct occupational therapy or supervise the delivery of occupational therapy services as necessary; Recommend appropriate adaptive equipment or devices and maintain orthopedic equipment to assure it is in proper working condition. Participate in program meetings, staff assignments, case reviews, and IEP or ISP meetings and prepare oral or written reports of current progress and needs of students; Consult in curriculum development at the request of the program supervisor. Recommend goals and objectives for future programming of individual students in writing and make scheduling recommendations as appropriate; Participate in the screening or evaluations of students referred to Perkins for recommendations or admission. Participate as a member of an interdisciplinary team in developing goals and objectives for current and future programming and communicate these with others to assure continuity of programming; Provide consultation and in-service training to program supervisor, program staff and families. Maintain current student records for those involved in therapeutic treatment. Prepare statistical data regarding service delivery as necessary; Maintain a flexible schedule including availability for occasional after-school and weekend programming needs. Assume responsibility for the safety and welfare of students. Observe students in other situations or settings as needed. Act as a liaison between physician or orthopedist and Perkins program staff. Obtain pertinent medical and referral information from physician or orthopedist. Accompany students to medical appointments as necessary. Provide field placement supervision to undergraduate and graduate students when appropriate. Assist in recruiting and interviewing occupational therapist applicants and other clinical specialists as requested. Participate in grant and proposal writing as requested. Attend professional conferences, seminars and courses for professional development. Make professional contributions, such as planning and participating in workshops, delivering presentations at conferences, and preparing articles for publication with the prior approval of the program supervisor and the clinical liaison. Request and monitor the ordering of materials, supplies, and equipment With the approval of Perkins Nursing staff and Program Supervisor staff may be authorized for full medication clearance or for limited student specific rescue medication clearance and will be trained in such as needed. To perform other related duties and tasks as assigned. Knowledge and Skills: Ability to develop comprehensive occupational therapy and evaluation services Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing Education and/or Experience Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy with experience working with students with sensory deficits in vision, multiple impairments or intellectual deficits or equivalent combination of education and experience Certificates, Licenses, Registrations Registration as a certified Occupational Therapist in Massachusetts; First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Crisis Prevention and Physical Intervention (CPPI) Certification required. If hired as a regular employee at Perkins, we have benefits that put you first, including an employer contributing retirement plan, tuition reimbursement from day one, professional development, personal days, paid time off and paid sick leave. Our campus is quaint, charming and historical, a perfect mix of legacy and modern buildings. It is located in the heart of Watertown, adjacent to the Charles River and less than 1 mile from food & entertainment at Arsenal Yards.