Reports To: Site Manager
Purpose: To promote the education of students with disabilities by helping students access the academic environment and participate to the maximum extent possible in educationally related activities by (1) providing screening, evaluation, intervention, and consultation services and by (2) providing information to, and establishing relationships with, educational personnel and family members and, (3) participating in total program planning activities for the student to support the student in a general education curriculum.
MAJOR FUNCTIONSA. Therapy Programming Management
The Occupational Therapist observes, screens, and evaluates students with physical/motor, sensory, cognitive and functional disabilities, interprets assessment results and plans for appropriate intervention services.
1. Reviews each student's chart for initial referral information (initial OT evaluation, OT goals, OT mandate in the IEP, tri-annual progress notes, therapy status reports).
2. Schedules assigned students according to the IEP mandate.
3. Obtains additional or supplementary information from appropriate persons, agencies, and/or available records, following documented parent/guardian consent.
4. Conducts screenings using clinical observation skills in order to assist in student placement, and /or determine need for Occupational Therapy Examination.
5. When contracted, performs OT assessment using a variety of standard tools and techniques to determine a student’s area of strength/ needs and to make recommendations for appropriate intervention, goals/objectives, and therapeutic strategies.
6. As part of a student’s Present Level of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance, submitted at least 2 days prior to the IEP meeting.
a. Documents, analyzes, and interprets data form a variety of assessment techniques and sources.
b. Makes recommendations for intervention/appropriate therapeutic strategies and refers to other medical/therapy services as appropriate, including environmental adaptations, and assistive technology.
c. Determines the effect of the impairments on the student’s ability to participate in and benefit from the educational experience to the best of their ability and to function in the school setting; and plan intervention goals and objectives that are functional. educationally relevant, and are stated in measurable behavioral objectives; plan activities for transition to vocational programs, for assigned students.
d. Coordinates services and provides information to school personnel and family members (including Home Exercise Program and community resources), and documents this information regularly.
7. Acts as a member of the interdisciplinary Team, including attending the IEP meeting of the assigned students to discuss progress and suggested goals.
8. Reassesses goals, objectives, and activities and modifies program as appropriate on a continuing basis, but at least on a quarterly basis.
B. Therapy Program
The Occupational Therapist develops and implements direct, indirect and consultative services based on individual assessment results and planned intervention goals as follows:
1. Provides direct and indirect occupational therapy intervention for assigned students.
a. Uses methods, equipment, and techniques as stated in the intervention plan.
b. Assists in ensuring transportation accessibility and safety.
c. Utilizes and trains others in positioning, physical handling, ADL, sensory, fine motor, handwriting, and cognitive intervention techniques.
d. Utilizes and trains others in therapeutic activities.
e. Utilizes and trains others in therapy equipment in accordance with manufacturers recommendations.
f. Utilizes and trains others in safety measures during treatment using appropriate supervision, guarding, assistance, cues.
g. Monitors and supervises skills of personnel implementing these programs.
h. Determines need for adaptive equipment and orthotics and prepares necessary letters of medical necessity.
i. Collaborates with classroom staff to enhance all student’s skills and their carryover of therapeutic activities related to the IEP, into the classroom. Consults with classroom teachers regarding planning and implementation of integrated group sessions, at least on a monthly basis.
2. Instructs and monitors home and school personnel in the therapeutic management of students and in implementing safety measures using equipment, positioning, physical handling, and other therapeutic activities.
3. Consults with home and school personnel regarding the needs of individual students.
4. Consults with outside agencies and non-school personnel regarding needs of individual students as needed.
a. Seeks information on student status, progress, and needs.
b. Seeks information and identifies needs regarding family and school personnel current management of the student.
5. Maintains and documents intervention procedures and results using daily note form and quarterly progress reports in organized working files for each student.
a. Obtains parental consent for intervention.
b. Obtains physician referral for intervention, if needed.
c. Follows documentation guidelines for student attendance that is submitted to the principal’s designee at the end of each month, and documents co-treatments and re-evaluations regarding individual students.
d. Documents related contacts with non-school agencies and personnel.
C. Therapist Administration
1. The scheduling of the students should assure that there are no conflicts in time with other related service providers or special classes (art, music, gym). Schedules are to be distributed to appropriate classroom teachers, to the principal, and to the site manager. Schedules are to be posted and updated as necessary and redistributed accordingly. Parental/guardian notification form is to be completed and sent home with the student once the schedule is finalized.
2. The Occupational Therapist promotes effective interpersonal and interdisciplinary relationships
3. The Occupational Therapist manages time efficiently and assures that assigned students receive OT sessions and services according to their IEP mandates (scheduling makeup sessions).
4. The Occupational Therapist safeguards confidentiality of student records.
5. Each therapist will contribute to the cleanliness and maintenance of therapy equipment on a daily and weekly basis (as assigned).
6. The Occupational Therapist observes designated working hours and accurately documents time and attendance daily on the LEBA sign in form.
7. The Occupational Therapist complies with contractual stipulations for leave.
D. Communication and Collaboration
The Occupational Therapist provides information to develop and maintain support for the objective of occupational therapy services and establishes relationships with administrators, school personnel and parents to facilitate the education of students with disabilities. The Occupational Therapist provides supervision of Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants, clinical internship opportunities and assists in the mentoring of new therapists.
1. The Occupational Therapist provides informal and formal in-service education for all levels of educational and support personnel.
2. The Occupational Therapist having 1200 hours of work experience, provides supervision for Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant including:
a. Providing guidance, input, and direction in the selection and use of standardized and non-standard assessment tools.
b. Interprets the assessment data with the collaboration of the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant.
c. Meets with, reviews documentation and/or observes the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant twice a week and maintains a log of this interaction.
d. Provides input, suggestions, and guidance in the development of the Certified. Occupational Therapy Assistant’s Present Level of Educational Function and changes to the goals/objectives, and strategies for all assigned students.
e. Reviews and co-signs all documentation appropriately.
3. The Occupational Therapist provides information on an informal and formal basis to parents and other stakeholders regarding occupational therapy programs and educational services.
4. The Occupational Therapist provides clinical internship opportunities for students enrolled in occupational therapy programs.
5. The Occupational Therapist assists in sharing information to facilitate inter departmental coordination.
6. The Occupational Therapist provides input on space, program planning and equipment use
E. Professional Knowledge and Management
The Occupational Therapist maintains a current OT license and NJ registration and a current NJ School Certification. The Occupational Therapist adheres to established rules, regulations and law, and the ethical standards of the profession including AOTA Guide to Professional Conduct/Code of Ethics, NJ State Education Practice Act, the role of the Occupational Therapist under current reauthorization of IDEA, applicable HIPPA and other regulations, and the OT Guide to Practice, and seeks to develop professionally. The Occupational Therapist adheres to established policies and procedures of the Middlesex Regional Educational Services Commission and the assigned site, and works cooperatively to accomplish the goals and objectives of the educational facility.
1. Prepares a Professional Development Plan on an annual basis and participates in professional growth activities and continuing education opportunities in order to meet the stated goals (at least one per year that relates to assessments or therapeutic interventions).
2. Integrates current professional evidence based practice and skill into occupational therapy programs by reviewing literature, exchanging information with peers, participating in clinical research or by utilizing clinical educational research information.
Pay: $47.16 - $75.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Continuing education credits
- Flexible schedule
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
Work Location: In person
