Occupational Therapist

POSITION TITLE:       OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST,  OT License in Washington State, Washington ESA Certificate

REPORTS TO:            Special Education Director or Designee 

Classification:                       Certificated, Non-Supervisory; FLSA Exempt

Representation:                    Representation available by the Wahluke Education Association

Work Schedule and              As per Wahluke Education Association Agreement

Salary      

Terms of Employment:          Wahluke Certified staff receive a 4.5% Professional Learning Activity Stipend; Up to 8 additional compensated work days; Professional Development Funds; Longevity Stipends beginning in fifth year of teaching. 

Benefits:                           Benefits offered by SEBB(School Employee Benefit Board): Medical, Dental, Vision,  Basic life Insurance, Basic Accidental Death and Dismemberment insurance.  Retirement administered by Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS). Paid Sick Leave, Personal Leave, Bereavement Leave   

POSITION INFO:      School year contract, additional days;. FLSA Exempt Professional Position

Position Summary: Reporting directly to the Special Education Administrator, the Occupational Therapist develops, implements and coordinates an occupational therapy program for children with a range of mild to severe disabilities. The Occupational Therapist serves as a member of the education team assigned to support special education children. The Occupational Therapist serves as liaison with medical and community service providers on behalf of children with disabilities and their families. Provide direct services to students as required by the IEP.  Supervise para-pro assistants if so assigned. 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Hold or are eligible to hold a valid Washington State license to practice Occupational Therapy
• Hold or are eligible to hold a valid Washington State Educational Staff Associate (ESA) Occupational Therapist Certificate
• Education; Minimum of a Bachelors degree in job related area.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience working in a special education public school setting or with pediatric populations
• Experience interpreting state and federal special education law
• Excellent organization, communication and time management skills
• Genuine desire to work with all students
• Bilingual Spanish helpful.
• Technology proficient to perform the requirements of the position. Technology proficient to provide remote/online services. 

REQUIRED CLEARANCES:

• WSP/FBI Background Clearance
• WA State Sexual Misconduct Disclosure Release

Essential Functions

• Provide education and support to teachers, classroom staff, parents and other care givers about occupational therapy services.
• Develop, implement and coordinate an occupational therapy program for children with disabilities consistent with the Individual Education Plan (IEP)
• Conduct occupational therapy assessments. Review assessment finds with parents and the education team.
• Provide direct service to children.
• Monitor ongoing treatment records. Evaluate and report on children's progress.
• Provide required and requested student and departmental records in a timely manner.
• Advise, instruct and assist education staff to implement occupational therapy plans.
• Facilitate the procurement, fabrication, modification and adjustment of adaptive equipment/assistive technology for occupational therapy services.
• Serve as a member of the education team to help address the needs of children.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding students, families, and staff
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with students.
• Adhere to local, State, and Federal rules and regulations
• Tracks student service hours and provide to financial staff for billing purposes the last working day of each month.
• Assistance in the development of the individual learning profiles.
• Aid in the development of differentiated instructional strategies. 

• Recommendations for materials, tools and/or technology to facilitate learning

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  Participation in enhancing teacher capacity through in-service and the provision of resources. 

• Access to community resources that can help the student, the family and the teacher.

Other Functions

• Performs other related duties, as assigned, for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Responsibility

Responsibilities include: working under limited supervision using standardized practices and/or methods; directing other persons within a small work unit; and operating within a defined budget. Utilization of 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.

Job Requirements: Minimum Qualifications

SKILLS are required to perform multiple, highly complex, technical tasks with a need to routinely 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 standard office equipment including using pertinent software applications; and preparing and maintaining accurate records.

KNOWLEDGE is required to perform algebra and/or geometry; 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: Board of Education codes, policies, regulations and/or laws; District processes and procedures; age appropriate activities; lesson plan requirements; stages of child development; and behavioral management strategies.

ABILITY is required to schedule a number of activities, meetings, and/or events; often gather, collate, and/or classify data; and use job-related equipment. Flexibility is required to work with others in a wide variety of circumstances; analyze 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 varied types and/or purposes; and utilize job-related equipment. Independent problem solving is required to analyze issues and create action plans. Problem solving with data requires analysis based on organizational objectives; and problem solving with equipment is limited to moderate. Specific ability-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: establishing and maintaining constructive relationships; adapting to changing work priorities; maintaining confidentiality; exhibiting tact and patience; and working flexible hours.

Working Environment

The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: significant lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; significant stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling; and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally the job requires 10% sitting, 50% walking, and 40% standing. The job is performed under temperature extremes and under conditions with some exposure to risk of injury and/or illness.