An Occupational Therapist helps patients with injuries, illnesses, and disabilities recover, improve, or develop skills needed for everyday activities. Assists people with mobility impairments to move easily around their homes; develops school and workplace settings that are accessible for individuals with physical or mental disabilities. May specialize in certain types of impairments or certain categories of patients.
Occupational Therapy is considered a supportive service to the educational system. The OT sees students on a direct (scheduled) or indirect (consultative) basis, as recommended by the IEP. All therapy goals must be relevant to the student academic program.
Areas associated with OT include:
self-care abilities, sensory motor abilities, components of movement, adaptation of equipment, adaptation in the educational setting affective needs, vocational. The therapist implements high quality occupational services for students in accordance with the principles and practices of occupational therapy. Provide quality treatment to enhance school performance while maintaining a positive level of interaction with teachers and family.
QUALIFICATIONS
Graduate of an accredited school of occupational therapy. Pass the NBCOT exam for Occupational Therapy. Hold a valid state license/certification. Computer competent for necessary documentation and correspondence. Responsibility of employee to obtain and maintain all training(s), certificate(s), approval(s), etc. and provide documentation to the business office before expiration date of said document(s). Required to have a physical presence at the designated job site each scheduled work day.
Must have regular and reliable job attendance, performance, and the physical ability to do the job.
PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES
Evaluate and treat directly or indirectly all students who qualify for treatment related to their IEP. Communicate student status and needs to the student, the student's family, teachers, and other professionals. Maintain therapy files on each student, which includes student data, up-to-date attendance, progress and assessment data, and Medicaid reports goals and objectives. Schedule student according to times listed on the student's IEP. Be familiar with school forms and procedures. Educate teachers, other professionals, and family members about occupational therapy. Attend IEPs and necessary meetings on a consistent basis. Make appropriate referrals to other members of the educational support team. Develop and implement new programs/techniques to enhance occupational therapy services. Adhere to established school policies and procedures related to environmental safety, orderliness, risk management, universal precautions, emergency situations, and family right to privacy/confidentiality. Continue professional development. Exhibits positive personal, professional, and work ethic, and high motivation through consistent demonstration of professional work behavior. Demonstrate sufficient computer knowledge and skills necessary for electronic record keeping. Evaluate, fit, and adjust students' equipment/splints appropriately. Appropriately documents progress toward identified objectives. Work cooperatively, meet individual goals and objectives with other ISD and local district staff, parents and community service agencies, as needed. Keep student attendance/Medicaid records. Ability to safely lift forty (40) pounds without related problems in order to safely support students and move therapy equipment, as needed. Perform other duties as assigned by the St. Joseph County ISD Administrators.
