Classification Title: Occupational Therapist
Department: All Schools
Pay Grade: Professional Support Scale (P4)
FLSA Status: Exempt
Supervisor: Principal and Director of Special Education & Related Services
GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB
The individual in this position is responsible for performing difficult professional work identifying and treating at-risk students in order to minimize the impact of their limitations on their educational and life pursuits.
SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Essential Functions:
- Functions as a member of multi-disciplinary teams to evaluate student function, identifying those requiring school-based therapy services, appropriate programming, and on-going progress.
- Evaluates needs of students, designing and implementing appropriate therapies, preparing, and maintaining appropriate records.
- Chooses activities to improve student performance in the skill areas (i.e., functional mobility, gross motor, positioning, strength, range of motion, muscle tone, daily living, etc.) necessary for accessing curriculum, learning, and functioning within the school environment.
- Identifies, acquires, and supports use of accommodations or equipment necessary to facilitate student access to curriculum and learning environment(s).
- Assists with modification of school tasks and activities to accommodate the needs of students.
- Reviews and participates in development of IEPs, evaluation, assessment, and progress reports.
- Maintains specified records with data on each student referred, evaluated and/or identified for on-going occupational therapy services.
- Submits records, reports, and assignments promptly and efficiently.
- Establishes and monitors caseloads, procedures, and resources to manage school-based occupational therapy services.
- Provides other related, direct services through a variety of methods (e.g., classroom presentations, in-services to staff/parents, etc.) as needed.
- Adheres to the ethical standards and codes of the profession and to the established rules, regulations, and laws governing special education programs.
- Participates in activities that promote professional development and use clinical/educational research to enhance direct services.
- Supports and implements district policies, regulations, procedures, and administrative directives.
Additional Duties:
- Performs other related work as required.
MINIMUM EDUCATION AND TRAINING
- Bachelor’s or Master's Degree in occupational therapy, from an accredited university.
- Or an equivalent level of education and experience.
- With appropriate license as required by the Commonwealth of Virginia Board of Health Professional.
- Possession of or ability to obtain a National Provider Identification (NPI) number prior to employment.
- Possession of a valid Virginia Driver’s License and use of a personal vehicle.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS REQUIRED
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Knowledge of the principles, practices and procedures of school-based occupational therapy services.
- Skill in effective communication, both verbally and in writing.
- Skill in the use of computers for data entry, word processing, and/or accounting purposes.
- Ability to present information clearly and concisely in verbal and written form.
- Ability to maintain effective working relationships with other District employees and the general public.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
Physical Requirements:
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.
The work is medium work which requires exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Work is performed while standing, sitting and/or walking. Requires the ability to communicate effectively using speech, vision, and hearing. Requires the use of hands for simple grasping and fine manipulations. Requires bending, squatting, crawling, climbing, reaching; including the use of hydraulic lifts to a maximum of 100 pounds with assistance. Additionally, the following physical abilities are required:
- Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
- Pushing or Pulling: Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward or outward. Using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion.
- Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
- Handling: Picking, holding, or otherwise working, primarily with the whole hand.
- Feeling: Perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips.
- Manual Dexterity: Picking, pinching, typing, or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand as in handling.
- Repetitive Motion: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers.
Work Environment:
The worker is not subject to adverse environmental conditions.