Bay-Arenac ISD Position Description
JOB TITLE: Occupational Therapist
DEPARTMENT: Special Education
REPORTS TO: Director of Special Education
PREPARED BY: Beth LaRose DATE: 8/25/11 FTE: 1
APPROVED BY: Dave Sevener DATE: 8/25/11
SUMMARY
To work with students 0-25 years of age who are physically, mentally, developmentally, emotionally, socially, learning. visually impaired, hearing impaired and/or multiply impaired. To evaluate students’ needs, develop and implement therapy programs, provide consultative services, and coordinate with educational goals through participation on the Individual Education Planning Committee.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Evaluate new students enrolling in the program within a reasonable time. If therapy is not indicated as a direct service. the therapist shall provide written input to the appropriate persons.
Use standardized tests, and customized measures and/or observation to evaluate the student in areas of cognitive-perceptual-motor skills, motor coordination, psychosocial development, self-care, muscle strength and range of motion, postural reflexes, needs for adaptive devices and prostheses, and other sources.
The therapist, with parental permission, may make home visits for the purpose of evaluating the child within his home environment.
Evaluate treatment effectiveness by observation, testing, communication with family and other sources.
Utilize treatment procedures involving physical, sensory, manual, creative, and recreational or play activities.
Participate in Educational Planning and Placement Committee.
Utilize a team approach to planning and treatment with school personnel, families, physicians and agencies.
Re-evaluate treatment program and revise goals.
Consult with teacher regarding occupational therapy goals for the classroom setting and support classroom goals in the therapy treatment program.
Maintain a close working relationship with parents for follow-through of occupational therapy treatment goals in the home.
Provide training to the appropriate persons regarding effective methods to aid the mainstreamed handicapped student
Maintain background, assessment and treatment records in accordance with administrative policy and the Right to Privacy Law.
Design/Construct adaptive equipment and devices for the student and/or the classroom.
Attend outside clinic and agency meetings as appropriate.
Formulate occupational therapy policies and procedures.
Schedule students for evaluation and treatment.
Assign and supervise caseload and responsibilities to Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant.
Plan, promote, or assist as needed in specific school projects, such as screening programs, career days, etc.
Attend staff development and professional seminars and meetings to upgrade or maintain professional skills.
Attend parent meetings.
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
Bachelor’s Degree, American Occupational Therapy Association Certification and Registration.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
American Occupational Therapy Association Certification and Registration.
Valid Drivers License required.
LANGUAGE SKILLS:
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:
Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.
OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES: Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory to instructional program; ability to plan and implement lessons based on division and school objectives and the needs and abilities of students to whom assigned. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, peers, parents and community; ability to speak clear and concisely in written or oral communication.
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 climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, sit, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and depth perception.
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.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works near moving mechanical parts.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The employee is frequently exposed to infection at a greater risk than the average person. The employee is directly responsible for the safety, well-being and work output of students. Must be able to meet multiple demands from several people.
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.