The Occupational Therapist, School Based serves students with various physical, behavioral, and developmental challenges ranging in age from 3-21 years old. Age specific experience and/or special training and/or expertise is required to serve this population.
RESPONSIBILITIES/ACCOUNTABILITIES:
Implements treatment plans and programs through consistent daily and weekly schedules that focus on functional and measurable outcomes to be shared with the school and/or supervisors.
Initiates new program development with a focus on needed functional outcomes.
Delivers specialized individual and group occupational therapy instruction as mandated in students' Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).
Collects data and completes reports regarding the student's goals and progress.
Consults with other professionals (Teachers, SLP, PT, PCP, etc. ) on the student's treatment team to ensure a cohesive and comprehensive therapy team.
Assesses and documents each student's progress through formal and informal tests and measurements.
Writes and prepares annual review reports and goals for each student in accordance with their IEP dates and requirements in order to remain in compliance with state guidelines.
Provides occupational therapy expertise when developing FBAs/BIPs.
Provides parent and caregiver support and education to discuss the student's progress and strategies for continued support outside of school.
Attends all school related meetings as scheduled, such as, but not limited to, Triennials, Annual Reviews, Domain, Referrals, IEP, and pre-IEP meetings for each individual student.
Ensures a suitable learning environment by setting up and preparing materials and supplies as needed.
Provides screenings and evaluations to determine requirements for skilled occupational therapy intervention relative to the client's level of function. This includes, but is not limited to the following areas: ADL (activities of daily living, including dressing, bathing, grooming, bed mobility, functional transfers, hygiene issues, feeding, school function, home management tasks, etc.), range of motion, strength, positioning, contracture management, conducting home assessments, discharge planning, development of maintenance programs and other related client care issues.
Supervises the COTA(s) in accordance with state practice act guidelines, as needed.
Communicates and follows up with the school and families in order to request appropriate physician signatures/orders for school-based occupational therapy referrals in order to initiate and continue services.
Follows the safety guidelines and directives for the student in regard to functional mobility and orientation (i.e. transfers, wheelchair or walker mobility, etc.) and exercises provided by other related service providers (i.e. physical therapist, vision itinerant, hearing itinerant, speech and language pathologist, orientation and mobility instructor, etc.).
Utilizes communication devices and assistive technology as outlined by the Speech Language Pathologist and itinerants.
Follows any fire drill or safety guidelines outlined by the school.
Provides and completes documentation to maintain quality of therapy records, as it relates to reimbursement guidelines, accuracy of billing information, and school requirements.
Coordinates and/or participates in training programs for students, school staff, and families.
Participates in school trainings, in-services, and professional development opportunities.
Performs other related duties as required.
They must have a Bachelor's degree in an occupational therapy curriculum accredited by ACOTE standards.
They must have initial registration from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy.
The Occupational Therapist, Schools Program must hold a valid and unencumbered occupational therapy license as required in the state of practice.
They must have a current CPR Certification.
