Primary Purpose: Qualifications:

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1 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 1

2 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 2

3 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 44. Prepare, review and revise job descriptions for positions in assigned areas of responsibility 3

4 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 4

5 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 5

6 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 6

7 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 Reviewed by Date Date 7