Occupational Therapist

Diamond R-IV School District 

REPORTS TO:  Director of Special Education

FAIR LABOR STANDARD ACT:  Exempt

POSITION CLASSIFICATION:  Professional

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:  9 months

QUALIFICATIONS 

1. Completion of training program for Occupational Therapist
2. Possess a current Missouri license to practice Occupational Therapy (OTR – Registered Occupational Therapist)
3. Possess knowledge of instructional strategies, assessment practices and effective therapy techniques
4. CPR and First Aid certification
5. Possess collaborative and interpersonal skills
6. Excellent written and oral communication skills

JOB SUMMARY

The Occupational Therapist will address the functional needs of a student as they relate to sensory, motor, postural or emotional development, adaptive behavior and play and the performance of self-help skills.  These services are designed to improve, restore or maintain the student’s functional ability to perform tasks in educational settings, ages birth to 21. 

REQUIRED EXPECTATIONS

• Be punctual and have consistent and regular attendance.
• Ensure the safety and well-being of each child by responding to their emotional, social and physical needs, as well as their education needs.
• Supports the mission of the Diamond R-IV School District.
• Supports the value of education.
• Complies with the privacy rights of students; safeguards confidential and/or sensitive information.
• Utilize developmentally appropriate practice and best practice methods at all times.
• Be warm and nurturing with students.
• Be customer service oriented and professional.
• Provide excellent customer service according to the standard of the District.
• Works to meet goals of the department and District with a spirit of cooperation.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

The duties of the Occupational Therapist will include, but are not limited to the following:

• Establish and maintain a referral process.
• Identify, screen, evaluate and reevaluate referred and placed students through the use of selected standardized and non-standardized tools that assist in identifying a student’s current functional performance.
• Documents and interprets screening and/or evaluation results.
• Develop and implement IEP’s for students designed to improve, restore and maintain the students functional ability to perform tasks in the education setting through grades, purposeful activities.
• Coordinate occupational therapy programs of students with the educational programs, home programs and services of other disciplines.
• Adaptation of environments, both human and physical.
• Instruct student, family and educational personnel in safe use and care of adaptive equipment and devices.
• Instruct parents, teachers and other school personnel in areas relating to the student’s therapeutic program.
• Selection design, purchase and/or fabrication of assistive or orthotic devices and other assistive technology to facilitate development and promote the acquisition of functional skills so the student can perform tasks in the least restrictive environment.
• Teach and supervise occupational therapy management programs for appropriate students.
• Discontinues intervention programs when appropriate and in accordance with dismissal guidelines.
• Manage intervention programs developed by the occupational therapist – carried out by teachers, parents and other school personnel.
• Provide and interpret medical information relating to a student’s special needs to school personnel.
• Provide families/educational personnel with information about the roles and function of occupational therapy programs in educational settings.
• Provide formal and informal in-service programs and/or resource materials for teachers, parents and appropriate school personnel, community and state agencies to assist with problem solving, program planning and priority setting for students with special needs.
• Suggest modifications and procedures to ensure elimination of architectural barriers, provision of classroom modifications and safe transportation for handicapped students.
• Coordinate planning with other agencies or individuals involved with a student’s initial entry into a public school program or reentry following an extended absence (i.e. hospitalization).
• Consult with physicians concerning students' medical needs.

• Coordinate occupational therapy services with school personnel and other community agencies.
• Establish and maintain an appropriate, confidential system of documentation for student referrals, record keeping, evaluation/reevaluation results, treatment progress and recommendations.
• Attend and participate in appropriate committees related evaluation, placement and programming for students.
• Collaborate COTA (Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant) on a regular basis.  
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the occupational therapy program and revise as needed.
• Coordinate with teachers and other professional staff for students to receive occupational therapy services and provide with schedule.
• Determine treatment priorities, appropriate caseload, schedules and procedures for providing occupational therapy services.
• Complete Medicaid documentation.
• Assist with recruitment and staffing necessary for implementing occupational therapy services.
• Supervise occupational therapy assist.
• Models positive behavior for students (i.e. interpersonal communication, processes, social interactions, etc.) for the purpose of providing educational and life skills training.
• Demonstrate professionalism and appropriate judgment in behavior, speech, dress and appropriate professional manner for the work setting.
• Demonstrates effective human relations and communication skills.
• Adheres to good safety practices.
• Ability to understand and adhere to all District rules, regulations and policies.
• All other duties as required or assigned.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:

• stand, walk, sit and talk/hear;
• occasionally required to reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl;
• occasionally push, pull or lift up to 50 lbs; and
• be able to see, including close, distance and depth perception.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.