Classified

Starting salary: $67,955 - $88,513 annual (Placement on Salary schedule depends on prior experience)

Full Health and Welfare Benefits 

Length of Work Year: 210 Days

Employment Type: Full Time; Monday-Friday

Classified

JOB GOAL/PURPOSE:

Under the supervision and direction of the Executive Director, Special Education to work as part of a multidisciplinary team, to provide assessment of children in suspected area of disability; to provide occupational therapy intervention to students and consultations to parents and staff. The incumbents in this classification provide the school community with services to students related to fine motor/visual/perceptual and sensory-motor processing development, which directly support student learning.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This job is distinguished from similar jobs by the following characteristics: The Occupational Therapist uses his/her professional medical field of training and expertise to evaluate students within Special Education to determine motor development and cognitive function levels and developing plans of treatment as appropriate.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, TASKS AND Duties:

• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary District team members to provide individual, in-depth assessment of children to determine the nature and extent of motor disabilities. Provide requested information; to make recommendations and plans for services.
• Write assessment reports describing the fine motor/visual/perceptual and sensory-motor development of children.
• Provide onsite interpretation/summaries of assessment results to parents.
• Participate in the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meeting to develop/update annual goals/short-term objectives; participate in annual IEP preparation and completion of IEP documents.
• Consult with family/staff on appropriate implementation of educational programs as they relate to the development of motor skills.
• Recommend suitable materials and provide when appropriate/as needed.
• Demonstrate educational/developmental strategies.
• Suggest appropriate activities to accomplish motor goals set in the IEP.
• Provide direct occupational therapy service to students when appropriate.
• Direct the work of student interns/staff as assigned.
• Provide in-service training for teachers, aides and parents in the area of specialty.
• Participate in local/state presentations as necessary.
• Provide assistance to teacher by demonstrating exercises/activities; consult with teachers/staff and classroom collaboration/observation.
• Participates in the IEP or Section 504 meeting to develop/update identified goals/objectives and provide direct service and/or consultation in order to meet these goals.
• Maintains records and reports as required and for complying with the District’s administrative policies, State and Federal laws and regulations.
• Monitor therapy received by pupils and record progress.
• Design and develop or recommend adaptive equipment and adjust for proper fit as needed; set-up and modify in classrooms and sensory rooms; provide instructions and training as needed.
• Monitor equipment and other assistive technologies.
• Organize kits for use in therapy intervention; act as liaison to staff, physicians, parents and other agencies in implementing the pupil's IEP.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Furnish own reliable transportation in order to travel to other sites as assigned.
• May administer routine First Aid, and contact appropriate person and agency in event of serious illness or injury.
• Perform other duties related to the class as assigned.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS /REQUIREMENTS:

(At time of application.)

Knowledge of:

• Special Education laws (Education Code); support service delivery system according to California Department of Education guidelines; Special Education terminology
• Current diagnostic procedures in Occupational Therapy Sensory Integration
• Special Education Information System (SEIS)/how to write IEPs
• Adapted equipment including Assistive Technology (AT) and software
• Common Core and District standards
• Specific diagnoses (e.g. Autism, ADHD, neuromuscular disorders, Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy, Down Syndrome, etc.)
• Fine motor-related curriculums (e.g., Handwriting Without Tears)
• Intellectual, sensory and physical development of children
• Techniques used in the assessment and treatment of disabilities
• Educational and developmental needs of children with specific disabilities
• Applicable treatment of modalities and theory for the pediatric population
• Occupational therapy techniques commonly used with the mild to moderate and severely disabled (e.g., physical and/or developmental disabilities) specific to school-based practice
• Physical and psychological challenges that families and students with severe and physical disabilities may experience

Skills:

• Evaluate students using standardized tests, observations, and/or clinically derived surveys in areas including perceptual-motor skills, motor coordination, sensory development, and muscle strength
• Demonstrate and monitor the use of adaptive equipment and technology
• Respond to questions, inquiries, concerns to clarify occupational therapy goals and services to parents, students, teachers, and special education staff
• Development of student programming through progress monitoring: advancing students to the next level of intervention as they make progress/master skills

Ability to:

• Plan, organize, and conduct an occupational therapy program for the neuromuscular and/or orthopedically involved children
• Make accurate assessments of the developmental status and educational needs of children
• Work collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams
• Work collaboratively with parents
• Effectively communicate occupational therapy treatment techniques and goals to parents, teachers and other program staff
• Apply occupational therapy techniques in the treatment of children with disabilities
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing
• Work independently; manage time (scheduling of OT sessions, consults with staff, meetings, report writing, student evaluations, make-up OT sessions)
• Establish general schedules and priorities
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions; perform complex or varied tasks
• Observe confidentiality at all times
• Maintain a positive attitude and professional demeanor

EDUCATION REQUIRED:

Master’s Degree (M.S. or M.A.) in Occupational Therapy.

Must pass national licensing/board exam from National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).

Register licensing with California Board of Occupational Therapy (CBOT).

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Experience in occupational therapy with children with disabilities in a variety of settings including school, home, and clinics.  Some experience working as a member of a multi-disciplinary team including working collaboratively with families. Training in sensory integration testing and techniques is desirable.

LICENSE(S) REQUIRED:

• Possession of a valid California Driver’s License and remain insurable at the District’s standard insurance market rate.  Current DMV report.

CERTIFICATIONS AND TESTING REQUIRED:

• Must possess and maintain current First Aid and CPR certification. 
• Pass the District’s applicable proficiency exam (e.g., written test, oral interview and/or work sample) for the job class with a satisfactory score.
• After offer of employment, obtain:
  • Criminal Justice and FBI Fingerprint Clearance
  • Negative pre-employment drug screen test at District’s expense
  • Pre-employment physical exam at District’s expense
  • Negative TB test result plus periodic post-employment retest as required (currently every four years)

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

(Must be performed with or without reasonable accommodations)

• Typical school environment, including offices, classrooms, playground, assembly rooms
• Standing or walking for extended periods of time; sitting for periods of time
• Using hands to manipulate, handle, or feel objects or controls and utilize technological equipment, including assistive technology, reaching with the hands and arms
• Seeing to ensure proper supervision of students including close, distance, and peripheral vision and the ability to adjust focus
• Hearing and speaking abilities to ensure proper supervision of students and to facilitate communication with students, staff, parents, and community
• Ability to lift or physically move students 30 to 80 pounds (observing lifting techniques and additional staff if needed); ability to use whole-body work in various positions (e.g., sitting on the floor, squatting, kneeling/stretching in various planes)
• Exposure to climatic elements and intermittent noise; aggressive or combative students (CPI training)
• Frequent interruptions
• Potential for contact with bloodborne pathogens and communicable diseases; risk of injury due to the physical nature of the job