This is a 9 month (190 day) position.

Powhatan County Public Schools

Job Title:        Occupational Therapist

FLSA Status:   Non-Exempt                            Classification: Certified

Reports to:      Assistant Director of Special Education

Summary

Responsible for assessing functional abilities, providing direct services and indirect services to support access to the curriculum and school environment, and designing intervention plans to support educational success. Additionally, this position requires supervision and collaboration with a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following.  

• Perform assessments and evaluations:
  • Conduct comprehensive evaluations and reevaluations to assess student needs, strengths, and challenges.
  • Develop and monitor Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) for students receiving occupational therapy services.
  • Collaborate with teachers, school staff, and families to gather information and assess student progress.
• Provide and direct and indirect (consultative) service delivery:
  • Provide individual and/or group occupational therapy services to students with disabilities
  • Develop and implement intervention plans based on student needs, goals, and evaluations
  • Utilize therapeutic interventions to enhance fine motor, sensory processing, self-regulation, and functional living skills.
  • Ensure compliance with state and federal regulations regarding therapy services in a school setting
  • Maintain ongoing and up to date documentation of all services provided (including: therapy sessions, progress reports, and IEP documentation).
  • Provide written input for IEP meetings and progress reports.
• Collaborate and communicate with teachers, special education staff, school counselors, parents, and

             community providers to create a supportive and inclusive learning environment.

• Educate staff and families to support students' functional needs and promote participation in school activities.
• Serve as a resource to offer support to educators for students not receiving occupational therapy services
• Assist in planning when students receiving therapy move from one school or program to another
• Collaborate with the assistive technology teacher regarding the provision of assistive technology and adaptations to enhance participation

• Supervise and Collaborate with COTA
  • Supervise, provide guidance, feedback, and support in the delivery of therapy services.
  • Conduct regular meetings to discuss student progress, modify therapy plans, and ensure adherence to treatment protocols.
  • Ensure that the COTA’s documentation and service delivery meet school and regulatory standards.
• Participate in relevant training and workshops to enhance skills and knowledge in order to maintain professional licensure and certifications.

• Perform any other duties that may be assigned by the Superintendent or designee

Qualifications

• Knowledge of childhood development, disabilities, and educational needs (including IEP development and special education regulations)
• Communication skills (both orally and in writing) and interpersonal skills to work effectively with students, staff, families, and community members
• Efficient in the use of technology to write and share reports, provide electronic input to IEPs, and complete any other necessary electronic documentation
• Organizational skills to manage daily schedules and documentation
• Ability to supervise, mentor, and collaborate with a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA).
• Good work habits to include punctual and regular attendance and efficient use of time

Education, Licensure, and/or Experience

• Education: Master’s Degree (or higher) in Occupational Therapy from an accredited institution.
• Licensure: Must hold a valid Occupational Therapist license from the Virginia Board of Medicine, Department of Health Professions, Commonwealth of Virginia. (Optional/preferred: certification from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)).
• Experience: Minimum of two years experience as an occupational therapist with a background in school-based/pediatric settings and supervising COTAs preferred.

Language Skills

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.  Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.  Ability to speak effectively before groups of parents or the public.

Reasoning/Other Abilities

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out simple one-or two-step instructions.  Ability to deal with standardized situations with only occasional or no variables. 

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, use hands, talk, see and hear.  The employee is also required to lift objects or students when necessary.  The employee may be required to engage in activities that involve sitting on the floor, bending, and occasional standing for long periods of time.

Note:  Physical limitations will be honored only with a Physician's recommendation.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

Evaluation

Performance on this job will be evaluated in accordance with school board policy and administrative regulations on evaluation of certified personnel.