Primary Purpose:

 

Plan and provide therapy to students with mental, physical, or emotional disabilities.  Assess students and provide therapeutic intervention to maximize physical or mental function, increase independent functioning, and/or adjust to disabilities in an academic setting.

 

Qualifications:

 

Education/Certification

Bachelor’s degree or higher in occupational therapy or related program

Valid Texas license as an occupational therapist granted by the Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners

 

Special Knowledge/Skills

Knowledge of rehabilitation procedures, activities, and equipment used in occupational therapy

Ability to instruct students and manage their behavior

Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills

 

Experience

One year of experience as an occupational therapist

 

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

 

Therapy

  1. Plan and provide direct and consultative services consistent with occupational therapy goals contained in students’ Individual Educational Plans (IEPs) or Service Plans for children that the parents have placed in private school .
  2. Evaluate student progress and determine modifications or readiness for termination of occupational therapy services.
  3. Design, construct, alter, and provide students with adaptive equipment and devices to promote maximum independence
  4. Provision of homebound or teletherapy services as deemed appropriate by the ARD committee
  5. Scheduling of students at multiple campuses and within school suggested parameters.

 

Assessment

  1. Assess students or children being evaluated by the school district to determine if a disability is present that qualifies a student to receive school based occupational therapy as a related service for access to FAPE
  2. Participate in the Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) Committee to assist with the interpretation of assessment data, appropriate placement, and goal setting for students according to district procedures, as well as need for adaptive equipment or accommodations..
  3. Participate in Review of Existing Evaluation Data (REED) meetings to assess the student’s progress and recommend additional testing if needed.

 

Consultation

  1. Consult with educational staff and parents regarding occupational therapy.
  2. Provide parents with suggestions for home activities to enhance school skills.
  3. Provide staff development training to assist personnel with selection and use of adaptive equipment, understanding of occupational therapy program, and use of adaptive techniques.
  4. Consult with parents, teachers, administrators, and other relevant people to enhance their work with students.

 

Student Management

  1. Create an environment conducive to learning and appropriate for the maturity level, interests, and needs of the students.
  2. Establish, control, and administer discipline according to the Student Code of Conduct and student handbook, as well as the student’s behavior plan.

 

Program Management
  1. Develop and coordinate a continuing evaluation of the occupational therapy program and implement changes based on the finding.
  2. Assist in the selection of equipment and adaptive material.
  3. Develop and maintain effective individual and group relationships with students, parents, administrators, and school staff.
  4. Maintain and clean equipment in the therapy room or used for therapy.

 

Administration

  1. Compile, maintain, and file all reports, records, and other documents required within the required timeframes. This includes but is not limited to: Evaluation reports, IEP documentation (PLAAFPS, Annual Goals and Objectives, Progress Reports), re-evaluation reports, and SHARS billing with paper tickets if those are necessary.
  2. Ensure all prescriptions for Occupational Therapy are updated and on file; obtain updated prescriptions as needed for SHARS students.
  3. Comply with policies established by federal and state law, State Board of Education rule, and local board policy.
  4. Comply with all district and campus routines and regulations.
  5. Effectively communicate with colleagues, students, and parents.
  6. Participate in professional development activities to improve skills related to job assignment.
  7. Keep continuing education and licensure updated.
  8. Attend staff meetings with Special Services as well as on one campus.

 

Supervisory Responsibilities:

 

May direct and monitor the work of a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant.

 

Equipment Used:

 

Office machines, such as computers, copy machines, telephones, document cameras, and scanners, and software for word processing and databases

 

Working Conditions:

 

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors

Maintain emotional control under stress.  Regular district-wide travel to multiple work locations as assigned; moderate lifting.  May be required to lift and transfer students to and from wheelchairs or assist with positioning students with physical disabilities.

 

 

 

 

The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.