CLASS TITLE: OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST      CODE: 2548

The occupational therapist facilitates the prevention, identification, evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of children with difficulties in fine motor, visual motor, visual perceptual, and/or sensory motor deficits to assist students in accessing their educational placement.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The occupational therapist facilitates the prevention, identification, evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of children/students birth through 21 years of age in the areas of fine motor, visual motor, visual perceptual, and/or sensory motor deficits that adversely affect educational performance and cannot be successfully addressed through modification and accommodations and modifications within the classroom setting.

A. PREVENTION AND CONSULTATION

Consult with parents, teachers, and community agencies concerning normative development and behavioral manifestations of a student “at risk” for fine motor, visual motor, visual perceptual, and/or sensory motor deficits

• Observe and informally interact with referred students in the classroom setting as needed
• Informally assess learning environments and assist staff with developing optimal learning environments for the facilitation of motor skills within the classroom setting
• Recommend environmental modifications or strategies for children who are not identified as eligible for special education or related services
• Educate and collaborate with site personnel regarding classroom strategies that will enhance motor skills for all students
• Consult with site personnel regarding appropriateness of referral, and identification processes and procedures
• Monitor appropriate referrals
• Collaborate and consult with the Student Success Team (SST) in providing suggestions for intervention strategies within the classroom setting for those children with suspected disabilities
• Collaborate and consult with the Student Success Team (SST) in identifying students who may be in need of assessments to determine possible eligibility for special education and related services 

B. ASSESSMENT

The occupational therapist facilitates the identification of students with fine motor, visual motor, visual perceptual, and/or sensory motor deficits by consulting with parents and teachers regarding behaviors that indicate suspected disability in these areas; and by screening, observation and non-standardized (descriptive) and standardized (norm referenced) assessments.

• Conduct functional, comprehensive assessments in accordance with District local policies and procedures, State Regulations, and Federal Mandates
• Utilize reliable and current assessment tools with a variety of techniques that are functional and based on the reason for referral, e.g., standardized (quantitative),  and non-standardized (qualitative), curriculum based, portfolio
• Complete all assessments within the mandated IDEA timelines
• Follow the SFUSD assessment report format guidelines and timelines
• Attend and participate in IEP meetings for all students who have received initial and triennial occupational therapy evaluations as well as annuals, demission, move-ins and change of placement
• Make specific recommendations to the Individualized Education Program (IEP) based on the findings of each assessment and specific to the identified disability as it relates to the core curriculum and the District’s Content and Performance Standards
• As a member of the IEP Team, determine whether the student with an identified disability requires special education and related services
• Conduct a formal re evaluation every three years to indicate progress and prior to dismissal from occupational therapy services

C. INTERVENTION

Provide direct and indirect service delivery options involving one to one, small group or full class instructions within the classroom or community environment or treatment room.

• Provide direct intervention in a variety of settings, including the general education or special education classroom and therapy room          
• Integrate occupational goals with educational/curriculum objectives
• Adhere to service delivery time and frequency as indicated on IEP
• Maintain confidentiality of files and caseload record keeping
• Provide collaboration and consultation with the classroom teacher to promote learning
• Provide collaboration and consultation to the teacher on identified students’ IEP goals and objectives, adoptions/modifications of the core curriculum or classroom environment
• Provide pull-out services only for those students whose IEPs indicate such a need

D. ACCOUNTABILITY

Follow procedures established by Special Education Services in performing the role of an occupational therapist including adhering to specific guidelines regarding the initial identification (pre referral, referral, assessment, report writing, diagnosis, eligibility determination and record keeping) and re-evaluation and dismissal process

• Develop an assessment plan within 15-day timeline of receipt of written request of referral
• Hold IEP within 60-day timeline of receipt of signed assessment plan
• Develop measurable goals and objectives that are student-based in accordance with core curriculum and the District’s Content and Performance Standards
• Be prompt and sign in/out at all schools
• Notify sites and Medical Therapy Unit Clerk when absent
• Maintain and distribute caseload records monthly (last working day of every month) for compliance purposes as well as for Medi-Cal reimbursement
• Attend all meetings, workshops, and professional development activities as requested and authorized by Special Education Executive Director or Supervisor-Designated Instructional Services
• Perform additional duties and responsibilities as assigned or requested by SPED Supervisor-DIS or SPED Program Administrator-DIS 
• Implement 3:1 Service Delivery Model with accountability of fourth week submitted to Special Education office monthly
• Dismiss students from occupational therapy following Exit Criteria
• Develop (annually) and review (quarterly) IEP goals and objectives in accordance with the core curriculum and the District’s Content and Performance Standards
• Maintain Excel data log as record keeping of referrals, timelines, assessments, IEP and eligibility 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

License or Certificate Requirements: Requires current registration as an occupational therapist with the American Occupational Therapy Association.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills: Requires good working knowledge of: current occupational therapy principles and practices; physical, mental and emotional disabilities and diseases; basic principles of anatomy, kinesiology, neurophysiology, psychology and abnormal psychology. Knowledge of child growth and development desirable in specified positions requiring work with children.

Requires ability to: evaluate the condition of individual patients and plan and implement appropriate treatment programs accordingly; understand and interpret physician's orders; explain occupational therapy techniques to others; document the therapeutic process and prepare related data. Ability to work with children is desirable in specified positions requiring work with children.

Requires skill in: involving patients in participation in therapeutic activities, including life management skills, activities of daily living, and specifically designed crafts and fabrication of splints.