Job Title: Special Education Occupational Therapist Wage/Hour Status: Exempt
Reports to: Principal Pay Grade: AP 2
Dept./School: Assigned Campus Date Revised: 4/2011
Primary Purpose:
The Occupational Therapist provides services to students enrolled in special education using goal-directed activities and environmental and task adaptations to facilitate effective functional performance of the student in the school environment. The Occupational Therapist provides assessment, interpretation and integration of findings to prevent, improve or compensate for functional impairments in school related tasks such as fine motor skills, postural and movement skills and educationally relevant self-care tasks.
Qualifications:
Education/Certification:
Bachelor’s degree from accredited university in Occupational Therapy
Graduate of a school of Occupational Therapy approved by the American Medical Association and the American Occupational Therapy Association
Licensed by Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners
Certified by the National Board of Certification for Occupational Therapy Special Knowledge/Skills:
Knowledge of pediatric conditions and pediatric occupational therapy
Strong consultation skills for conferencing with teacher, parents, and students Experience:
Experience in school-based occupational therapy preferred Experience with students with disabilities preferred
Experience:
Experience in school-based occupational therapy preferred Experience with students with disabilities preferred
Major Responsibilities and Duties: Instructional Management
1. Direct Special Education, related services to meet students’ needs
2. Plan, implement, and evaluate instructional programs with general education, special education teachers, and speech therapists including learning objectives, instructional strategies and assessment techniques
3. Apply research and district studies to improve the content, sequence, and outcomes of the teaching learning process
4. Involve instructional staff in evaluating and selecting instructional materials to meet student learning needs
5. Facilitate the use of technology in the teaching-learning process 6. Serve as a resource person in Special Education services to the District
7. Work cooperatively with principals and staff to define personnel needs regarding the instructional management
8. Evaluates the effectiveness of the occupational therapy program and make necessary modifications 9. Provide leadership to campus staff in the integration of students with disabilities into general
education programs
10. Facilitates the planning, application and implementation of assertive technology to ensure integration of students with special needs
11. Coordinates the processes of identification and appraisal with instructional services for those students whose educational needs require services additional to, supplementary with, or different from those provided in the general education program
12. Collaborates in the planning, organization and implementation of special education initiatives based on student outcomes
13. Collaborates in the development, implementation and revision of procedural manuals for Special Education programs
14. Assists Special Education teachers in meeting IEP goals established for their students 15. Maintains current and accurate records of all cases referred from the Admission Review, and
Dismissal Committee (ARDC)
16. Informs and assures campus principals as to compliance with federal, state, and district procedures as they relate to occupational therapy services
17. Reviews the deliberations of the ARDC to ensure that occupational therapy services are provided in accordance with the legal obligations of the Special Education Department and Edgewood
Independent School District School/Organizational Climate
18. Demonstrate skill in conflict resolution with administrators, parents, teachers, staff and community 19. Provide for two-way communication with principals, teachers, staff, parents and community 20. Deal sensitively and fairly with persons with diverse cultural backgrounds
21. Ensure that district goals and objectives are developed using a collaborative process and problem solving technique when appropriate
22. Promote a positive, caring climate for learning 23. Employ effective interpersonal skills
24. Use management practices that promote collegiality, teamwork, and collaborative decision making among staff members
25. Contribute to the recommendation of sound policies directed toward program improvement 26. Communicate and promote expectations for high-level performance from staff and students;
recognize excellence and achievement
27. Communicates effectively with all campus personnel in the evaluation, planning and implementation of programs for students with disabilities
28. Provides technical assistance in their area of expertise to campus administrators and staff to facilitate the consistent implementation of quality instruction to students with disabilities
29. Adheres to all Edgewood Independent School District policies and procedures 30. Promotes the effective communication of the mission statement of the school/district School / Organization Improvement
31. Use a collaborative decision making process and problem-solving techniques when appropriate 32. Actively support the efforts of others to achieve district goals and objectives and the campus
performance objectives (academic excellence indicators0
33. Obtain and use evaluative findings, including student achievement data to examine curriculum/instructional program effectiveness
34. Assess and respond to needs related to job responsibilities
35. Contribute to the recommendation of sound policies directed toward program improvement
36. Collaborates with Special Education Program Specialists to assure integration of Special Education students on main stream campuses
37. Collaborates in the monitoring of individual student programs and uses findings to improve the quality to programs and services
38. Assists the Special Education Director in the development of appropriate forms, procedures,
guidelines, agency reports, proposals, etc. that will further the effectiveness of the Special Education Program
39. Reviews student eligibility folders for necessary records as required
40. Participates in campus planning when requested by the school administrator 41. Collaborates in planning for architectural accessibility
Personnel Management
42. Promote a positive work environment and staff morale within the department 43. Support staff development and other programs of professional development
45. Provide effective staff development activities by using the mission of the district, program evaluation outcomes, and input from teachers and others
46. Work cooperatively with others to ensure compliance with federal and state personnel laws and regulations as well as EISD Board Policy
47. Supports/Assists in providing appropriate staff development on topics related to identified areas of expertise
48. Apprises the campus administrator and Special Education Director of any areas of concern regarding the personnel needs of the Special Education Program
49. Assist in the programming needs for public and non-public contractual services
50. Collaborates in the coordination of the services of Education Service Center, Region XX, so that full utilization of services offered by the facility can be drawn upon by campus administrators, as well as Special Education teachers and related services staff, in both areas of materials and special
consultants
51. Identifies and uses appropriate school, home, community, state and national resources
52. Upon request, assists in the recruitment and interviewing of staff for Special Education programs 53. Supervises student interns
Administration and Fiscal/Facilities Management
54. Accurately prepare and submit in a timely manner any and all reports required by the board, the Texas Education Agency, and other federal and state agencies and any records subpoenaed by a court of law
55. Prepare recommendations for the annual budget
56. Ensure that funds are expended in accordance with the approved budget
57. Compile district, campus, and program budgets and cost estimates based upon documented program needs
58. Compile, maintain, and file all reports, records, and other documents required
59. Plan and conduct needs assessments for growth and improvement of the assigned area of responsibility
60. Develop and maintain written departmental procedures for the daily operation of the campus/department
61. Submits educational and/or statistical data for local and Texas Education Agency reports as requested 62. Appraises the principal and Special Education Director as to the adequacy of program facilities 63. Provides timely information and advice about costs of programs to administrators and teacher for
budgetary consideration
64. Confers with the teachers and program specialists to determine the instructional materials and equipment needs of the programs, and facilities their inclusion into the campus budget
65. Maintains the inventory of occupational therapy equipment, materials and supplies Student Management
66. Work with staff, board and community in planning and implementing support services to students 67. Establish and maintain open lines of communication by conducting conferences with parents, students
and teachers concerning vital issues
68. Participate in the deliberations of the Admission, Review, and Dismissal Committee by
communicating the occupational therapy needs of the student to school personnel and parents, and by taking part in decisions relating to placement and formulation of the Individual Educational Plan (IEP)
69. Consults in annual reviews and staffing for student programs and assists in the orderly transition from one placement or grade level to he next
70. Provides input, as appropriate, for student behavior management plans
71. Coordinates related services provided to student, including transitional services, to assure a comprehensive and integrated program
72. Collaborates with Special Education staff in assuring that all secondary students have an individual plan (ITP)
73. Provides occupational therapy intervention determined by the IEP
74. Instructs Special Education staff regarding proper handling, lifting, and positioning of students 75. Administers comprehensive evaluations to determine student needs
76. Documents assessments/screenings, status reports and interventions 77. Instructs use and care of adaptive and assistive devices
78. Develops and assists in obtaining and maintaining assistive devices to be used in student educational program
Professional Growth and Development
79. Pursue professional development through reading, attending conferences, and involvement with related agencies
80. Develop needed professional skills appropriate to job assignment
81. Demonstrate behavior that is professional, ethical, responsible and serve as a role model for all district staff
82. Monitor professional research and disseminate ideas and information to other professionals 83. Participate in professional educational organizations
84. Stays informed of and disseminates information regarding state and federal guidelines, as well as current “best practices” research and trends regarding Special Education programming
85. Participates in professional organizations, disseminating ideas and information to other professionals, and provides leadership in identifying trends and opportunities, as well as problems facing the profession
86. Performs duties in a professional, ethical, and responsible manner as defined in the Texas Education Agency and American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Code of Ethics
87. Take the initiative to attend staff development activities that increase current knowledge in areas of responsibility
School/Community Relations:
88. Articulate the district’s mission to the community and solicit its support in realizing the mission 89. Demonstrate the use of appropriate and effective techniques for community and parent involvement 90. Assists in interpreting the philosophy and general objectives of occupational therapy in school-based
practice to parents, school personnel, the community, community agencies etc.
91. Works closely with, and knows how to access community agencies (Texas Rehabilitation
Commission, Center for Health Care Services, etc.) in order to identify resources for student/family support and district/community cooperation
92. Assists in developing public awareness of transitional program
93. Assists in planning and implementation of parent involvement activities
94. Encourages and supports parental participation of ARDC meetings and in the development and implementation of their child’s educational plan and program
Supervisory Responsibilities:
95. Supervise and evaluate the performance of assigned personnel in the assigned area of responsibility 96. The occupational therapist supervises clinical internships for students enrolled in occupational
therapy and occupational therapy assistant programs
97. Supervises certified occupational therapy assistants (COTA) employed by the district
Working Conditions: Mental Demands:
Ability to communicate effectively (verbally and written); interpret policy, procedures and data; coordinate district functions; maintain emotional control under stress
Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:
Occasional district-wide travel and occasional statewide travel; occasional prolonged and irregular hours
The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.
Approved by Date
