Occupational Therapist (10-Month)

JOB SUMMARY:  The occupational therapist provides quality school-based occupational therapy services, which include but are not limited to assessment/evaluation, intervention/treatment, IEP planning and implementation, discharge planning, related documentation, and communication between teachers, teacher assistants, related service providers, and families. Professional judgment and clinical knowledge are used to develop individualized programming based on occupational performance deficits and educational necessity in the areas of student role, social interactions, process skills, self-regulation and sensory processing, positioning for function, visual and fine motor skills, graphic communication, self-care, leisure/play, assistive technology, and community integration/work based on the AOTA Practice Framework. The occupational therapist is expected to independently review outcomes and modify intervention programs based on relevant data. Clinical reasoning and professional judgment are essential to ensuring the safety of students and protecting the liability of the SECEP and the therapist. Direct supervision of support personnel, such as licensed occupational therapy assistants (COTA), may be required

QUALIFICATIONS: Have successfully completed and graduated from an accredited occupational therapy professional program recognized by the NBCOT and have completed all fieldwork requirements. Possess and maintain a license issued by the Virginia Board of Medicine as an Occupational Therapist. Preferably, two years of experience as an occupational therapist, preferably in the school system or other pediatric practice setting. Knowledge and experience with autism are beneficial. Must possess a valid driver’s license and a means to transport oneself to varied school sites. Must have the physical ability to perform duties of itinerant OT involving standing, walking, lifting, carrying, bending, kneeling, reaching, pushing, pulling, and manipulating general tools and equipment. In general, OT must be capable of exerting 20-50 lbs. of force to move objects, equipment, and/or students (i.e., transfers/lifts). Visual and hearing acuity need to be sufficient to assess and document students’ safety and abilities.

*Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential tasks.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Participates in multidisciplinary meetings to review evaluation results, integrate findings with other disciplines, offer recommendations, and develop individual education plans and intervention plans to achieve IEP goals.
  
  
• Provides targeted, evidence-based therapeutic intervention to facilitate student participation and occupational performance within the school environment, with consideration of safety and effective pacing and time management.
  
  
• Consults with the school-based team to achieve student outcomes.
  
  
• Adapts and modifies environments, equipment, and materials, including assistive technology, and provides training to instructional staff to meet individual student needs that help students function as independently as possible.
  
  
• Educates students, educational personnel, and family to facilitate skills in areas of occupation as well as health maintenance and safety.
  
  
• Monitors and reassesses the effects of occupational therapy intervention and the need to continue, modify, or discontinue intervention.
  
  
• Document occupational therapy services to ensure accountability of service provision.
  
  
• Provides legal and ethical supervision of occupational therapy assistants and assumes responsibility for the students served by the assistants.
  
  
• Demonstrates knowledge of the federal, state, and local legislation, regulations, policies, and procedures that mandate and guide occupational therapy practice in schools.
  
  
• Determines the need for an occupational therapy evaluation and selects and administers appropriate assessment tools to evaluate the student.
  
  
• Interprets the evaluation data and writes a comprehensive report that reflects strengths and barriers to students’ participation and occupational performance.
  
  
• Develops occupationally based intervention plans based on evaluation information.
  
  
• Prepares a wide variety of written materials (e.g., attendance, intervention notes, correspondences, treatment plans, evaluations, reports, etc.) for the purpose of documenting activities, providing written reference, and/or conveying information.
  
  
• Demonstrates professional, moral, and ethical standards, as well as personal integrity, in all interactions.
  
  
• Takes responsibility for and participates in a meaningful and continuous process of professional development that results in the enhancement of student learning.
  
  
• Works in a collegial and collaborative manner with COTA/OTA, peers, school personnel, and the community to promote and support student learning.
  
  
• Provides service to the profession, SECEP, and the community.
  
  
• Performs related work as required.

To Apply: All applications, resumes, references, transcripts, and supporting documentation for this position must be submitted to the Director of Human Resources. Separate applications are required for all administrative positions. Application forms may be secured on the SECEP website: www.secep.net.

SECEP is a regional public school serving the Southside Hampton Roads Community. The organization provides a formal structure through which the participating school systems can plan and operate programs for children with special needs.