Occupational Therapist

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Position Title: Occupational Therapist

Department: Special Services

Reports To: Director of Special Services

FLSA Status: Exempt

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QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's or master's degree in occupational therapy; pediatric experience preferred 

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

• Certification through the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)
• Valid state licensure as an occupational therapist through the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation (SCLLR)
• Must have current government issued identification

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

8 Hours/190 Days

Licensed Professional Salary Schedule

The terms of employment detailed in this job description are based on full time employment during the school year. Conditions of employment adjusted for part time employees or individuals who are hired for less than an entire school year.

GENERAL SUMMARY:

Under general supervision, provides needed therapeutic services to help students achieve mastery of educational goals, access to and/or participation in all required and desired school-related activities, and the maximum independent function practicable for meeting identified needs and attaining desired outcomes. Conducts assessments, designs or provides adaptive equipment or devices, observes and documents student progress and abilities, and provides direct therapy/exercise/intervention.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Supports and upholds the mission, vision and strategic goals of Lexington County School District One towards increased outcomes for students.
• Interacts, communicates and collaborates with all stakeholders effectively.
• Establishes a safe, supportive, positive and productive working and learning environment.
• Operates general office and technology equipment needed for daily activities.
• Maintains confidentiality regarding all employee and student information.
• Participates in all professional meetings and training sessions as required.
• Requests and maintains materials needed for daily responsibilities and essential functions; provides for safe storage and proper use of all tools, equipment and materials.
• Provides occupational therapy services to all appropriate students on a district-wide basis which may include providing exercise and intervention programs, individual therapy sessions, group therapy sessions, and consultative and monitoring services.
• Evaluates new students using standardized and/or non-standardized assessment measures as appropriate; reevaluates students receiving therapy using standardized and/or non-standardized assessment measures as appropriate; determines the individual needs of each student, their strengths and challenges, and the type of program best suited to their individual needs.
• Plans therapeutic activities for students designed to improve areas of challenge and/or teach adaptive strategies to assist them in mastering IEP (Individualized Education Program) goals.
• Provides instruction to students in adaptive techniques and therapeutic activities.
• Prepares and maintains records of students' activities in treatment sessions, progress evaluations, annual progress reports, and annual re-evaluations as appropriate.
• Obtains, designs, and/or constructs adaptive equipment and devices as needed for the provision of therapy, or to assist students to participate more fully in their education through adaptive measures.
• Observes student activity and progress in regular and special education classroom settings; consults with other therapists, physicians, parents, teachers, administrators, other school staff, and professionals from other agencies, as appropriate, concerning students' progress and needs.
• Participates in IEP meetings, providing expert opinion from an OT perspective, and playing an integral role in the team process to design appropriate individual education programs.
• Interacts with teachers, teacher assistants, and other school staff as appropriate, to discuss student needs, progress, and programs.
• Interacts and maintains professional relationships with school staff, parents, physicians, other therapists, and professionals from other agencies.
• Operates and/or utilizes various types of equipment, machinery and tools such as a copier, computer, therapy equipment and tools, etc.
• Ensures the obtainment of informed consent from parents/guardians (and/or students, as appropriate) prior to the provision of occupational therapy evaluation and/or treatment.
• Effectively uses personal technology devices and software applications for the management of pertinent information and communication.
• Performs other related duties as required.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

Supervises students during therapeutic interventions. No budgetary responsibility. No direct supervisory responsibility of other staff persons. 

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES:

Ability to perform duties with awareness of all district requirements and Lexington County School District One Board policies. Must be able to access reliable transportation.

Personal computer experience required. Strong knowledge of word processing, e-mail, spreadsheets, electronic file management, the internet, and reporting and presentation software. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, staff and the school community. Ability to speak clearly and concisely both in oral and written communication. Ability to apply knowledge and current research and theory. Ability to organize and implement a flexible work schedule in order to meet reporting deadlines. Ability to self-monitor and manage multiple tasks while working individually and with members of a group. Ability to submit all requested reports and documentation in a timely manner and in accordance with scheduled deadlines. Some extended hours and multiple demands from several people are frequently required of the employee. Computer literacy required. 

Knowledge of the policies, procedures, and activities of the school district that pertain to the specific duties and responsibilities of the position. Knowledge of school policies, procedures, and operations. Ability to demonstrate proper maintenance, safe operation, and utilization of equipment, materials, and supplies used in daily activities. Ability to maintain high standards of accuracy in exercising duties. Ability to anticipate work to be completed and to complete work without the need for direct supervision. Ability to maintain confidentiality of employee and student records and information. Ability to interact and communicate effectively and professionally with supervisors, co-workers, teachers, students, and the general public.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee will occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds such as boxes of materials. The employee will sometimes push/pull items such as furniture or boxes of materials.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, listen and/or reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision. Occasionally the position requires the employee to work irregular or extended hours. Duties of the job require frequent use of a computer monitor and related equipment.

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.

The noise level in the work environment for this position varies. The noise level in this environment is quiet to loud depending upon the activity in the particular part of the day. 

Work is conducted in a designated therapy room, the classroom environment, about the school campus, at the site of school related activities, and/or in the student's home. Exposure to discomforting and potentially dangerous conditions/diseases is possible. Frequent contact with students having acute and/or chronic, contagious or non-contagious illness/condition is possible. Contact with students with behavioral challenges is possible. The ability for heavy physical exertion is required to lift and move, or assist with the transfer of, students weighing in excess of 200 pounds. Local travel is required; no overnight travel required. This position serves students aged 3-21 years.

EVALUATION:

Performance of this job is evaluated annually according to Board Policy.

DISCLAIMER STATEMENT:

The information contained in this job-description is intended for compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.

NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY:

Lexington County School District One is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination and equal opportunity for all students, parents/legal guardians, staff, visitors, personnel and community members who participate or seek to participate in its programs or activities. Therefore, the district does not discriminate against any individual on the basis of race, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or any related medical conditions), color, disability, age, genetic information, national origin, or any other applicable status protected by local, state, or federal law.

The district will use the grievance procedures set forth in policy to process complaints based on alleged violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act of 1963; the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008; and Titles I and II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.