Occupational Therapist - Special Programs

SUMMARY

Reports to the Facilitator of Related Services and assumes all duties as occupational therapist to organize, coordinate and implement activities of the occupational therapy program based on a referral or order from a physician licensed to practice in the state of Louisiana.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Develops performance objectives and prepares a professional growth plan supporting department and school system goals.
• Organizes and directs services by applying occupational therapy principles in conjunction with family and educational and medical personnel.
• Screens and / or evaluates referred children and confers with other involved parties to ascertain eligibility for occupational services.
• Assesses child by reviewing educational records and interviewing classroom teacher, by administering and interpreting tests, and by observing, analyzing and recording behavior to determine child’s abilities or function in order to assist in planning individual educational program goals and objectives.
• Analyzes data about child to determine, design and implement motor activities that promote or conserve optimal physical function (such as upper extremity prosthetic and orthotic training, therapeutic exercise, activities of daily living and position) within the child’s disability limits by designing, selecting, evaluating, and directing activities and fabricating devices that promote optimal range of motion, strength, endurance, coordination and independent physical function..
• Instructs child in methods of self care using principles of work simplification, substitute motions and assistive devices.
• Schedules and coordinates therapy time by reviewing availability of child, staff and facilities.
• Treats or trains child according to established IEP goals by applying and adapting objectives and modifying activity to meet specific situations to obtain IEP goals and objectives.
• Informs, counsels and consults with child’s family and other professionals to obtain cooperation and continuity in the individual educational program by writing periodic reports, by demonstrating methods and use of equipment and by discussing child’s capabilities and problems.
• Documents evaluation, implementation and integration of the individual educational program and child’s progress by analyzing, summarizing and preparing written and verbal reports, to staff and parents to promote communication, evaluate progress, maintain legal records and coordinate services.
• Attends case conferences with other specialists to discuss and evaluate child’s function and progress.
• Makes progress toward achieving objectives in the professional growth plan.
• Prepares a self-evaluation as described in the Performance Evaluation Plan.
• Maintains an annual inventory, estimates time required to deplete supplies, designs and allocates storage space and determines method of storage space and determines methods of storage in order to maintain equipment, materials and supplies unit.

Requests new equipment and supplies as needed.

Receives instruction in order to maintain and improve skill and knowledge by attending in-service or continuing education programs and by reading and reviewing material related to work.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and / or ability required.

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

EDUCATION and / or EXPERIENCE

The Occupational Therapist will be a graduate from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy and registered by the American Occupational Therapy Association.

He will be licensed in compliance with the laws of the State of Louisiana. Clinical experience is desired, but not a condition of employment.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Ability to plan, organize and carry out assignments under minimum supervision.
• Ability to collaborate with others to promote an atmosphere that will support the health and independent functioning of the child.
• Ability to deal effectively with a variety of disabilities and age groups and with persons of varied racial, ethnic and sociological backgrounds.
• Ability to assume authority and handle personal and professional frustrations appropriately.
• Desire and willingness to make a continuing commitment to the maintenance of a high level of professional competence.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit.

The employee frequently is required to talk or hear.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

Employee acknowledges that he / she is required to maintain a high standard of professional conduct. Breach of said professional conduct includes but is not limited to : neglect of duty, dishonesty, engagement in acts that are contrary to CPSB policy, unlawful activities, or any other conduct which is seriously prejudicial to the school system.

CHAIN OF SUPERVISION

Facilitator of Related Services