Occupational Therapist - Blue Springs School District

Purpose Statement

The job of Occupational Therapist is done for the purpose/s of providing support to the educational process with specific responsibilities for assessing functional physical development level of special education students; planning and implementing appropriate therapeutic activities to meet individual student needs; identifying architectural barriers; providing recommendations for accessibility, program development and student placement; educating staff and administration on accommodations needed to the educational curriculum; and providing direction to Occupational Therapy Assistants.

• This job reports to Director of Special Education and/or Building Principal
• This position is a Full Time, 7 hours per day , Benefits Eligible
• The salary range for this position is $39,160 - $77,773. Salary will be commensurate with education and experience.

Essential Functions

• Administers occupational therapy procedures and modalities services (e.g. self-help, functional mobility, environmental adaptations/adaptive equipment, positioning, motor functions, sensory processing, pre- vocational/vocational skills, etc.) for the purpose of developing students daily living skills in compliance with established goals and objectives.
• Assists children with disabilities to progress in special education educational programming for the purpose of ensuring their attainment of equal access to the education setting.
• Attends and participates in meetings, workshops, and seminars (e.g. training, IEPs, team meetings, etc.) for the purpose of conveying and/or gathering information and meeting the program guidelines.
• Collaborates with a variety of groups and/or individuals (e.g. parents, teachers, physicians, administration, maintenance personnel, team members, other professionals, etc.) for the purpose of serving as a multi-disciplinary team member, communicating information, resolving issues and providing therapeutic intervention services in compliance with established guidelines.
• Conducts initial evaluation on students' fine motor skills and functional abilities (e.g. perceptual-motor, hand functions, motor coordination, sensory development, muscle strength, etc.) for the purpose of determining program eligibility, developing goals, recommending treatment plans with appropriate assistive devices and/or school placement.
• Consults with teachers, parents, other personnel and/or outside professionals for the purpose of providing requested information, developing plans for services, making recommendations and/or coordinating occupational therapy services with those of other disciplines.
• Develops evaluation and treatment plans, interventions and/or educational materials (e.g. educational goals for IEP, student neuromuscular coordination, sensory processing/sensory motor-responses, motor skill deficits, social skills, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and meeting the IEP goals.
• Directs and supervises the caseload and responsibilities of assigned Occupational Therapy Assistants (e.g. modifying curriculum, adjusting assignments, assessing social environment, etc.) for the purpose of providing therapeutic intervention guidance and ensuring that program objectives are achieved.
• Establishes and maintains a wide variety of documents, files and/or records systematically (e.g. activity logs, correspondence, memos, treatment plans, Medicaid billings, progress reports, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring documentation system that is accountable to federal, state and local special education policies.
• Identifies structural issues for the purpose of removing barriers for students with physical limitations and/or identifying appropriate assistive technology.
• Interprets medical reports for the purpose of providing information and/or ensuring that treatment/intervention plans are appropriate.
• Moves and may temporarily allocates therapeutic and adaptive equipment in the educational setting or between buildings or different school sites (e.g. hallway, classroom, gym, playground, or designated therapy room, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring the flexibility to meet the program objectives.
• Provides training and guidance on implementing therapy goals in school settings to a variety of individuals (e.g. COTA, teacher, paraprofessional, administrators, etc.) for the purpose of providing information on medical/behavioral attributes, implementing the use of assistive devices and/or plans for remediation of functional limitations.
• Researches resources and methods (e.g. intervention and treatment techniques, assessment tools and methods, Assistive Technology, community resources, etc.) for the purpose of determining the appropriate strategies to implement and addressing students' functional goals.
• Transports students from/to different educational settings through (e.g. lifting, physically restraining, escorting, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring they are not impulsively run into an unsafe environment.

Other Functions

• Performs other related duties as needed for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the special education students to benefit from their educational experiences.
• Job Requirements: Minimum Qualifications Skills, Knowledge and Abilities
• SKILLS are required to perform multiple, highly complex, technical tasks with a need to periodically upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: applying assessment instruments; operating equipment used in occupational therapy strategies; operating standard office equipment including pertinent computer software; and preparing and maintaining accurate records.
• KNOWLEDGE is required to perform basic math, including calculations using fractions, percents, and/or ratios; read technical information, compose a variety of documents, and/or facilitate group discussions; and analyze situations to define issues and draw conclusions. Specific knowledge based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: age appropriate activities; concepts of grammar and punctuation; health standards and hazards; safety practices and procedures; stages of child development; abnormal development and medical diagnoses related to special Education funding categories; current OT treatment interventions; and pertinent codes, policies, regulations and/or laws.

ABILITY is required to schedule activities, meetings, and/or events; gather, collate, and/or classify data; and use basic, job-related equipment. Flexibility is required to work with others in a wide variety of circumstances; work with data utilizing defined but different processes; and operate equipment using standardized methods. Ability is also required to work with a diversity of individuals and/or groups; work with data of widely varied types and/or purposes; and utilize a variety of job-related equipment. Independent problem solving is required to analyze issues and create action plans. Problem solving with data may require independent interpretation; and problem solving with equipment is significant. Specific ability based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: adapting to changing work priorities; communicating with diverse groups; maintaining confidentiality; meeting deadlines and schedules; working as part of a team; working with detailed information/data; maintaining effective working relationships; and translating therapy data into meaningful educational activities.
Responsibility
Responsibilities include: working under limited supervision following standardized practices and/or methods; directing other persons within a small work unit; operating within a defined budget. Utilization of some resources from other work units is often required to perform the job's functions. There is some opportunity to significantly impact the organization’s services.
Work Environment
The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: significant lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, some climbing and balancing, frequent stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally the job requires 30% sitting, 50% walking, and 20% standing. The job is performed under conditions with exposure to risk of injury and/or illness.

Experience: Job related experience within a specialized field is required.
Education: Masters degree in job-related area.
Equivalency: Any combination of education, training, and/or experience which demonstrates ability to perform the required duties. A typical qualifying background would include a MS Degree in Occupational Therapy from an approved and accredited Occupational Therapy program. Experience working with students with a variety of disabilities and in an educational setting is preferred.

Background Check
Employment in this position is contingent upon consent to and successful completion of a pre-employment background check, which may include a criminal background check, reference checks, verification of work history, and verification of any required academic credentials, licenses, and/or certifications, with results acceptable to the Blue Springs School District. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER