What are the responsibilities and job description for the Occupational Therapist Registered position at Northbridge Public Schools?
Job Summary:A school-based occupational therapist registered (OTR) evaluates students and provides therapeutic interventions to students with disabilities affecting their ability to access and participate in educational activities. Responsibilities include assessing student’s functional skills in areas like fine motor, sensory processing, self-care, cognitive abilities and social interaction; adapting the environment and utilizing meaningful activities to enhance their academic performance and overall participation within school environments. The OTR also monitors progress, maintains detailed records, ensures compliance with educational standards and regulations, and supervises certified occupational therapy assistants.
Knowledge:
1. Establish and maintain effective and harmonious working relationships with students, their families, colleagues and supervisors.
2. Engage actively with students, including play-based interactions, bending, kneeling, lifting and sitting at a child’s level as necessary for therapy
3. Ability to apply common sense understanding and to communicate options and solutions when several variables exist.
4. Communicate effectively, orally and in writing; ability to read, write, speak and understand English
5. Exhibit compliance with federal, state, and local regulations including: both HIPAA and FERPA; reimbursement requirements; and state statutes and rules regarding OT education, training, and scope of practice
6. Operate specialized equipment, such as adaptive seating, sensory tools, and fine motor assistive devices, used in student treatment.
Responsibilities:
1. Provide appropriate occupational therapy services to school-aged children (ages 3-22) while promoting an inclusive environment that addresses diverse student needs and incorporates culturally responsive practices.
2. Conduct comprehension evaluations for referred students, administer, and interpret diagnostic assessments, generate detailed reports and present findings during Team meetings
3. Provide intervention that is appropriate to the age and learning needs of each individual student and is selected through an evidence-based decision-making process
4. Employ a continuum of service delivery models in the least restrictive environment for students with disabilities, and that they provide services to other students as appropriate
5. Maintain liaison with appropriate community agencies, administrators, teachers, and parents concerned with the students
6. Plan and develop therapeutic intervention goals that are educationally relevant and aligned with students’ Individualized Educational Programs (IEPs)
7. Facilitate in-service education and professional development for staff members, as appropriate
8. Supervise and monitor the job performance of any assigned certified occupational therapy assistants.
9. Monitor program goals by teaching and supervising other professionals and paraprofessionals who are involved with the implementation of the intervention procedures
10. Provide consultation and/or direct services to address student needs, professional needs, and system needs in order for the system to achieve its goals and objectives.
11. Maintain accurate and timely documentation required by federal, state, and district standards, ensuring compliance with Medicaid and IEP requirements.
12. Perform other duties that are consistent with his/her professional training that the Director of Pupil Services and Building Principals may require.