OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

BASIC FUNCTION:

Under direction, provides educationally related occupational therapy services to students with various disabilities in accordance with the student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP).

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

An employee in this class is expected to handle a variety of assignments that relate to individual students’ specialized needs and related disabilities. They are expected to work independently with the students on a one-to-one basis or in a group setting. The occupational therapist has a broad scope of evaluative tasks in the development, planning and assessment of therapy programs.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:

Assesses students’ abilities and performance in activities that are related to the curriculum and applicable to activities of daily living. E

Identifies and documents students’ educational/developmental/functional needs with the IEP team. E

Develops, coordinates and implements individual occupational therapy intervention plans that support the IEP goals and objectives. E

Designs, plans and executes group occupational therapy plans which support the specialized instructional setting. E

Assists with the development of students’ transition plans, programs and goals. E

Records assessments, actions taken and recommendations made regarding areas of service as required by law, board policies, administrative regulations and the Special Education Department. E

Schedules, plans and provides occupational therapy programs for students with physical limitations, orthopedic impairments and/or other areas of concern for the purpose of aiding the students’ physical rehabilitation in accordance with IEP goals. E

Recommends, designs and creates adaptive equipment. E

Trains and serves as a consultant to program staff in areas such as sensory motor, sensory stimulation and body awareness, fine motor and gross motor skills and other areas within the therapist’s area of expertise. E

Demonstrates appropriate activities for students to program staff. E

Provides consultative services to parents, students, teachers and program staff. E

Responds to inquiries and concerns which arise from parents, students, teachers and staff. E

Perform related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

KNOWLEDGE OF:
Child development, neuromuscular function/dysfunction, sensory motor integration, kinesiology, skeletal anatomy and basic pathology related to orthopedic disabilities.
Individual and group occupational therapy techniques commonly used for students with special needs.
Educational and medical applications of adaptive equipment.
Generally accepted standards of health and sanitation.
Case management principles.
Record keeping practices and procedures.

ABILITY TO:
Develop, plan and implement an occupational therapy program for students with various disabilities.
Assess individual students and develop appropriate intervention which includes goals/objectives of IEP team.
Explain and provide training on occupational therapy and rehabilitative procedures.
Provide consultation for classroom and home management of motor, sensory, perceptual and self-care programs.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with parents, students, staff and community agencies.
Plan and organize work.
Maintain accurate records and files.
Work confidentially with discretion.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Graduation from an occupational therapy curriculum accredited jointly by the Council on Medical Education of the American Medical Association and the American Occupational Therapy Association and registration by the American Occupational Therapy Association certifying clinical competence as a Registered Occupational Therapist. Experience working with students with a variety of disabilities and in an educational setting is preferred.

LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

A valid license by the California Board of Occupational Therapy is required. A valid Class C, California driver’s license, a driving record that meets district insurability requirements, and use of a personal vehicle is required. Valid First Aid and CPR Certificates issued by an authorized agency are required.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

ENVIRONMENT:
Indoor and outdoor school work environment and office setting.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Strength to lift and/or carry up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or carry up to 40 pounds.
Seeing to monitor activities.
Good speaking and hearing abilities.
Ability to bend, stoop, kneel or sit on floor for extended periods while assisting students in therapy.
Ability to stand for extended periods.
Hand and eye coordination skills.
Hand dexterity for use of manipulative equipment, etc.