Occupational Therapist
Position Summary:
Under the supervision of the Supervisor of Student Services, the Occupational Therapist functions as a member of an interdisciplinary team whose purpose is to assist in the provision of an appropriate educational program for students with disabilities. Occupational Therapists facilitate acquisition, remediation, and compensation for deficits in foundation motor skills necessary for classroom performance. Particular areas of emphasis include fine motor skills, sensory/perceptual motor skills, and self-care skills. The Occupational Therapist (OT) is also responsible for the screening, assessment, planning, goal development, and appropriate intervention services.
Qualifications:
1. Hold a bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited college or university.
2. Must possess a valid licensure to meet state requirements as set forth by the Virginia Board of Medicine.
3. Must possess a valid Virginia driver's license.
4. Annual registration with the American Occupational Therapy Association is recommended.
5. Demonstrate ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
6. Ongoing evidence of mental and physical competence to perform assigned responsibilities may be required from a qualified physician.
7. An applicant who has had prior experience in a related position must have a performance rating which is acceptable to Stafford County Public Schools for such experience.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
1. Demonstrate good knowledge of medical, surgical, and/or pediatric information and indications for occupational therapy services.
2. Demonstrate good knowledge of neurophysiology relating to neuro-developmental and sensorimotor dysfunction.
3. Demonstrate skill in the use of tests and measurements for assessing physical function.
4. Demonstrate ability to implement programs to facilitate fine motor, self-help and for restoration of physical function or sensory/perceptual skills in the school environment.
5. Demonstrate appropriate use of written and verbal communication; thorough knowledge of English grammar and usage.
6. Demonstrate ability to work cooperatively with the total staff, parents and other community representatives.
7. Demonstrate effective time management and organizational skills.
Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Assists in identifying students needing evaluation and/or services.
2. Performs formal observation and/or procedures which provide information as to the strengths and weaknesses of the students.
3. Determines educational implications of evaluation findings.
4. Presents written/oral report to school special education committees and when appropriate to parents.
5. Screens and evaluates students on referral of the schools' screening committees to determine if therapy is indicated in the educational setting.
6. Maintains documentation of physical changes in students receiving services as well as keeping all written records.
7. Works cooperatively with school staff, parents and personnel in community services: to determine IEP objectives, frequency and scheduling of intervention, to implement objectives using appropriate techniques, to evaluate progress regularly and comment on the IEP, to redesign program as student progresses or regresses, to determine the appropriate time to discontinue services.
8. Works with school staff to determine appropriate placement for students with disabilities.
9. Suggests modifications to the physical environment of the educational setting when appropriate. 10. Suggests modifications or makes adaptations to the equipment in the educational setting as well as makes appropriate recommendations for purchase of equipment based on student and classroom needs.
11. Provides effective consultation to teachers: to provide information concerning the students' special needs and the intervention plan, to program for generalization of newly learned skills into the classroom. to allow the shaping away of services as the teacher becomes more proficient in meeting the students' needs in the classroom.
12. Provides effective consultation to other related service personnel to allow for a coordinated multidisciplinary approach.
13. Provides effective consultation to parents regarding their child’s program as appropriate. 14. Provides effective consultation to administrators: to make aware of treatment plan and update progress periodically, if necessary, to secure teacher cooperation in meeting students' objectives and goals through appropriate administrative channels, to help determine which students should be referred for special education services, to advise concerning appropriate strategies for students not found eligible for special education services, to collaborate with administrators when special problems arise. 15. Follows county guidelines for appropriate paperwork.
16. Requisitions supplies and equipment through appropriate channels.
17. Supervises COTA in accordance with guidelines set by the American Occupational Therapy Association.
18. Participates in program development for students with physical disabilities in the system.
19. Listens to new ideas, viewpoints and procedures and can accept and adjust to change
20. Maintain an effective system of monitoring student progress and to inform appropriate persons of such progress.
21. Maintain a clean, neat appearance, appropriate to position.
22. Adhere to guidelines of confidentiality as outlined in federal and state laws and School Board Policies and Procedures.
23. Maintain a record of appropriate attendance and punctuality.
24. Serve as an optimal role model for students, colleagues, and the general public. 1. 25. Must work in close harmony with colleagues, supervisors, and co-workers.
25. Comply with all district and school policies and regulations.
26. Actively pursue professional growth activities.
27. Perform other duties as assigned.