Occupational Therapist

Overview

Occupational therapy is designed to maintain, improve, or restore the function of students in all education-related activities, including neuro-musculoskeletal function;

motor function including fine motor, oral motor, and visual motor integration; sensory and perceptual function; cognitive, and psychosocial function.

Activities emphasize independence in daily living skills and school participation in various settings including classroom, bathroom, cafeteria, and playground.

Responsibilities

• Screens and / or evaluates students who have been referred to occupational therapy in the areas of fine motor performance, coordination, postural stability, perceptual motor performance, sensory processing and self-regulation and activities of daily living / functional skills (such as written productions and classroom tool use) with emphasis on present level of performance as related to academic functioning.
• Train special and general education staff, parent and other team members on specific interventions.
• Consults and collaborates with teachers and other specialists regarding appropriate motor activities, self-help skills, sensory needs, adaptations, and special equipment or assistive devices as necessary.
• Implement educational plans as described on individual IEP and provide information for building staff as needed.
• Provides monitoring, consultation, direct or indirect occupational therapy for selected students who are eligible for such services.
• Maintains close communication with classroom teachers, other staff and parents concerning student’s performance.
• Maintains accurate records of students evaluated and served in occupational therapy program; including assessment results, IEP progress and other documentation or reports as needed.
• Participates in designated team meetings, individual education plan conferences and periodic reviews involving assessment, programming and reevaluation decisions.

Schedules occupational therapy evaluation and service times / locations with teachers and building principals.

• Develops and provides formal and informal in-service programs for teachers and parents regarding occupational therapy.
• Maintain appropriate records and reports.
• Collect data on progress on goals and objectives for each student and meet all required timelines.
• Acts as liaison between school and community agencies, doctors, and hospitals as needed to provide collaborative occupational therapy services.

Qualifications :

Must be a licensed occupational therapist (OT).

Experience in developing and implementing a variety of behavior strategies and interventions for effective programming, including functional behavioral assessments.

Experience implementing strategies for improving social skills.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time 12-month position. The regular hours and workdays are Monday through Friday, 8 : 00 am to 4 : 00 pm in addition to any special events to which all staff are expected to attend.

Travel

Minimum to no travel required

EEO Statement

Dr. Richard Izquierdo Health and Science Charter School provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, and transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.