Occupational Therapy
Description
ST. JAMES PARISH PUBLIC SCHOOLS
JOB DESCRIPTION
TITLE: Occupational Therapist
REPORTS TO: Director of Special Education
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
TERMS of EMPLOYMENT: 9 months/182 Days
OVERVIEW OF POSITION: To provide occupational therapy that will enable students with disabilities to participate fully in their education and daily school activities
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Conducts OT evaluations as a component of comprehensive initial evaluations and re-evaluations outlining the student’s ability to function in and benefit from his Special Education Program
Administers occupational therapy assessments to determine a student’s level of functioning relative to their age and educational placement in such areas as fine motor skill development, sensory motor integration and/or visual perception skills, self-care, and the activities of daily living
Writes assessment reports identifying the student’s needs and proposed treatment strategies
Participates in staffing of students in evaluation (with other pupil appraisal staff members) to determine student’s classification and/or exceptionality
Conduct and staff summer evaluations of transitions students from Early Steps (with other pupil appraisal staff members)
Writes individual student goals and objectives that align to student’s academic/functional needs to improve the student’s functional abilities within the school and naturalistic settings, in collaboration with the IEP team and maintains progress records
Participates in the IEP meeting and provide all information needed to complete IEP
Provides students with individual treatment and group therapy sessions to correct specific areas of sensory-motor integrative dysfunction
Monitors student’s progress and consults with educational staff regarding inclusion of appropriate occupational therapy treatment strategies into the educational program; evaluates the efficacy of the recommended treatment strategies and makes modifications within the framework of the IEP process as necessary
Document dates of service, service provided, student receiving services, and duration of services on Inclusion Support Documentation Logs in classrooms
Adapts equipment to assure proper positioning and to enhance functional performance of the student, addressing the student’s neuromuscular deficits and needs. May include design and fabrication of equipment or recommendations for purchase of adaptive equipment as needed
Maintain an in-depth knowledge of the laws and policies governing Special Education, particularly as they pertain to the delivery of occupational therapy services
Provide consultant services and in-service to educational team regarding the mandated and best practice roles of occupational therapists
Maintain routine documentation including services provided to each student; IEP objectives addressed; contacts made with parents, school personnel, physicians, and community resources when indicated
Provide on a monthly basis to the Special Education Compliance Administrative Assistant, documentation on timesheets of dates of service, service provided, student receiving services, and hours worked, and attendance at IEP conferences and/or other meetings
Input documentation for Medicaid reimbursements into EIS Medicaid Reporting System
PROFESSIONALISM
The Occupational Therapist grows and develops professionally through professional development as assigned and voluntarily to improve teaching and learning.
Attends and constructively participates in meetings and professional development activities.
Uses active listening skills.
Accepts and recognizes the value of the contribution of others.
The Occupational Therapist shows professionalism in attitude and:
Accepts and uses constructive feedback.
Identifies problems and issues and works collaboratively to contribute ideas and find solutions.
Maintains communication with immediate supervisor, keeping him/her informed of problems, concerns, and significant developments.
Uses verbal and non-verbal communication in a manner respectful of others.
Writes and speaks clearly and concisely so that the message is understood.
Develops and maintains a safe and caring environment for all of our students.
Demonstrates positive support through actions and words as ambassadors of the schools and districts.
Dresses for success according to job responsibilities.
Treats all stakeholders in a respectful and helpful manner.
Cooperates with administration in the performance of additional duties.
Completes tasks, reports, and documents accurately according to specified timelines and expectations.
Maintains self-control.
Adheres to Board policies and procedures and administrative rules, guidelines, and regulations.
Adheres to district guidelines relative to attendance. Regularly reports to work on time and works additional hours when deemed necessary.
Adheres to ethical, legal and professional standards.
Applies laws, policies, regulations, and procedures fairly, consistently, wisely, and compassionately.
Follows directives as assigned by the supervisor.
Refrains from revealing confidential information.
Uses proper administrative procedures for making requests and resolving conflicts.
METHOD OF EVALUATION: One evaluation per year.
OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Other duties may be assigned by the Superintendent, Director of Special Education and/or designee.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: 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 CERTIFICATION
Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy; Must be licensed or eligible for licensure in Louisiana; and meet any standards set forth in Louisiana Standards for State Certification of School Personnel.
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 frequently required to stand, walk, speak, hear and sometimes sit. Occasionally the employee will bend or twist at the neck more than the average person. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally push or lift up to 50 lbs such as boxes of books and AV/VCR carts. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision such as to read handwritten or typed material, and the ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment described here is representative of which 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. While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently exposed to a noise level in the work environment which is moderate to loud.
The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.