Occupational Therapist

Grade 125- Placement range= $66,704.00 to $76,233.00 DOE

JOB SUMMARY:

Under the supervision of the Lead Occupational or Physical  Therapist, the Occupational Therapist will administer screening tests and diagnostic assessments; participate in team evaluations, write goals and objectives, as appropriate, for IEPs; maintain required documentation for Medicaid reimbursement and legal compliance; provide consultation to parents, administrators, teachers, and related staff personnel; provide occupational therapy services through a range of service delivery models; participate in staff development activities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Assesses school site facilities for the purpose of ensuring accessibility in compliance with state and federal regulations.

Assesses students’ fine motor skills and developmental skills (e.g. perceptual-motor coordination, visual motor coordination, sensory development) for the purpose of determining their deficits and developing recommendations.

Consults with teachers, parents, other personnel and/or outside professionals for the purpose of providing requested information, developing plans for services and/or making recommendations and/or referrals..

Facilitates and attends meetings (e.g. IEP conferences, parent meetings, in-services, etc.) for the purpose of developing plans and/or providing information regarding students’ functional goals.

Instructs staff, students, and parents for the purpose of implementing plans for remediation of functional limitations.

Maintains files and/or records for the purpose of ensuring documentation for future reference in accordance with state/District policies and regulations.

Completes accurate and timely Medicaid reimbursement billing logs for direct occupational therapy services as indicated by district policies.

Maintains inventory of specialized equipment for the purpose of ensuring availability of equipment for student uses.

Participates in various meetings (e.g. parent conferences, in-service training, site meetings, etc.) for the purpose of receiving and/or providing information and/or meeting credential requirements.

Prepares documentation (e.g. evaluations, observations, progress, contacts with parents, teachers and outside professionals, etc.) for the purpose of providing written support, developing recommendations and/or conveying information.

Presents information on various topics related to occupational therapy for the purpose of educating parents, students, school personnel, and staff. 

Researches and coordinates resources and methods (e.g. intervention and treatment techniques, assessment tools and methods, community resources, etc.) for the purpose of determining the appropriate approach for addressing students’ functional goals.

Schedules and coordinates students’ therapy programs for the purpose of implementing IEP requirements.

Performs screenings and observations of students for the purpose of determining the need for further individualized assessment.

Supervises occupational therapy interns and occupational therapy assistants in accordance with university, professional, and licensure rules.

Provides indirect and indirect services in accordance with each student’s IEP.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

SKILLS are required to perform multiple, technical tasks with a need to periodically upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions.  Specific skills required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: plan and manage projects, including creating treatment schedules; design and implement treatment plans utilize pertinent software applications, including the special education records management software system.

KNOWLEDGE is required in medical/developmental/pediatric information and indications for occupational therapy treatment; to understand and appropriately apply the latest research in neurophysiology relating to neurodevelopmental and sensorimotor dysfunction to school age populations.  Specific knowledge required  to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job includes:  pertinent codes, policies, regulations and/or various position specific information learned on the job.

ABILITY is required to schedule a significant number of activities, meetings, and/or events; gather, collate and/or classify data; and consider a wide variety of factors when using equipment.  Flexibility is required to independently work with others in a wide variety of circumstances; work with data utilizing defined but different processes; and operate equipment using a variety of standardized methods.  Ability is also required to work with a wide diversity of individuals and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with school and central office-based staff and parents by demonstrating excellent human relations skills and the ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing work with specific, job-related data; and utilize a variety of job-related equipment. In working with others, independent problem-solving is required to analyze issues and create action plans.  Ability to collect data and generate reports is required. Problem solving with data requires independent interpretation of guidelines; and problem solving with equipment is moderate.  Specific abilities required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: adapting to changing work environment; working as part of a team; communicate with diverse groups.  The ability to travel to more than one work location in the course of the day as assigned is required.

QUALIFICATIONS

Current license with the Arizona Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners.

Medicaid provider registration

Valid and current driver’s license

Level One IVP Fingerprint card

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Graduate from an  occupational therapy program with a minimum of a BS or BA

Experience with preschool and school-aged populations is preferred.

 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 essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stoop, reach, stand, walk, lift, pull, push, grasp, talk, hear, see and use repetitive motions.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee may frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds of materials, etc.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision such as to read handwritten or typed material, and the ability to adjust focus.  The position requires the individual to meet multiple demands from several people and interact with the public and other staff.

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 essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is moderate to loud.

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed by this position.  Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.