Occupational Therapist for the 24-25 School Year

Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree or more advanced degree from a college or university accredited by the American Occupational Therapy Association in Occupational therapy required
• National Board Certification (NBCOT) in Occupational Therapy (or be National Board eligible) required
• Current Occupational Therapy license from the Missouri Board of Occupational Therapy required
• Two (2) years of experience as an Occupational Therapist in a school system or other pediatric practice setting preferred
• Must have a valid driver’s license and daily access to a vehicle required for travel throughout the school district
• Able to lift up to 25 pounds, transfer, and position students as needed to implement goals during therapy

 
Fair Labor Standards Act Status:  Exempt
 
Reports to: 
Building Principal
Director of Special Services
 
Job Goal:
The Occupational Therapist leads the process of development, implementation, and coordination of the occupational therapy program of the Independence School District.  Professional judgment and clinical knowledge are used to develop individualized programming based on occupational performance deficits in the areas of personal care, student role, interaction skills, process skills, play, community integration/work, and graphic communication.
 
Performance Responsibilities:

• Collaborates with other disciplines to ensure team understanding of student occupational performance strengths and needs, through evaluation, educational program planning, and service delivery
• Evaluates the student’s ability and formulates the student’s occupational profile through a variety of functional, behavioral, and standardized assessments, skilled observation, checklists, histories, and interviews
• Synthesizes evaluation results into a comprehensive written report which reflects strengths and barriers to student participation in the educational environment; directs program development; and guides evidence-based intervention
• Develops occupationally based intervention plans based on student needs and evaluation results
• Participates in multidisciplinary meetings to review evaluation results, integrate findings with other disciplines, offer recommendations, and develop individual education plans and intervention plans to achieve IEP goals
• Provides targeted, evidence-based therapeutic intervention to facilitate student participation and occupational performance within the school environment
• Consults with the school-based team to achieve student outcomes
• Monitors and reassess the effects of occupational therapy intervention and the need to continue, modify, or discontinue intervention
• Prioritizes and schedules work tasks independently
• Manages inventory of therapeutic equipment and assessments, and project needs for budget planning
• Maintains clinical and administrative records in accordance with professional standards, state guidelines, and school system policy
• Provides legal and ethical supervision of occupational therapy assistant assuming responsibility for the students served by assistant
• Adheres to federal and state legislation, regulation, and policies that affect occupational therapy practice
• Performs additional professional responsibilities which include, but are not limited to, record-keeping, participating in staff development activities, taking part in parent conferences, consulting with school staff, caseload management, scheduling, and other duties as assigned by the Director of Special Services
• Adhere to all District policies and procedures and laws outlined by Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (2004) and the Missouri State Plan for Special Education

 
Terms of Employment:
Occupational Therapists will be employed for nine (9) month positions.  The salary and work year will be established annually by the Board of Education.
 
Evaluation:
Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with Board of Education policy by the immediate supervisor, utilizing the Independence School District School Occupational Therapist Performance Based Evaluation.