School Occupational Therapist II

POSITION DESCRIPTION 

The Occupational Therapist II provides occupational therapy assessment and consultation to school district personnel for special education children. The School Occupational Therapist II functions as part of a multidisciplinary team providing integrated service to students. The Occupational Therapist II provides direction to and oversight of Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTA’s) or other staff members assigned to provide occupational therapy services. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS 

• Evaluates student performance in a variety of areas including fine motor tasks, oral dysfunction, sensory impairments, perceptual motor skills, posture, and movement. 

• Recommends methods and strategies to address student needs for therapy services. 

• Collaborates with medical personnel and multidisciplinary team members in interpreting and implementing therapy services. 

• Instructs teachers, educational staff, and families in positioning and handling techniques.

 • Develops and reviews student goals and objectives in accordance with the Individualized Education Plan (IEP). 

• Maintains records and documents.

 • Attends meetings and conferences. 

• Directs and provides oversight of occupational therapy services provided by other staff members. 

• Makes recommendations to the LEA for occupational therapy services and program delivery model. 

• Addresses the difference between medically necessary and educationally necessary services and makes referrals to California Children’s Services (CCS) as appropriate. 

• Supervises staff. 

• Performs related work as required

JOB REQUIREMENTS 

Experience providing general occupational therapy services, providing occupational therapy services in a pediatric clinical setting. 

Skill in the administration and interpretation of occupational therapy assessment procedures, development of appropriate student goals and objectives. 

Knowledge of educational and developmental needs of young children with specific disabilities, applicable treatment modalities and theory for the pediatric populations, assessment tools, treatment approaches and adaptive equipment for children with cerebral palsy, neuromuscular diseases, orthopedic conditions, genetic syndromes, and other developmental disabilities. 

Ability to establish and meet deadlines, exercise sound judgment, work accurately, independently, and confidentially, follow oral and written directions, effectively communicate occupational therapy treatment techniques and goals to teachers, parents, and other program staff, prepare and disseminate written reports (including assessment), maintain effective work relationships, travel to various work locations; effectively manage workflow of staff; train and supervise staff. 

Physical Abilities include standing and sitting for extended periods, talking/hearing, near and far visual acuity, field of vision.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS • Possession of a Bachelor’s Degree. • Valid California Board of Occupational Therapy License - OR – the ability to obtain a valid California Board of Occupational Therapy License prior to start date. • Valid registration with the National Board Occupational Therapy Certification Board. • Valid CPR Certification. 

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS • Experience providing occupational therapy services. • Experience providing occupational therapy services in a pediatric clinical setting. • Experience working in a California school district, SELPA office, or County Office of Education. • Experience making occupational therapy referrals to California Children’s Services. • Experience or certification in Sensory Integration methods. • Experience supervising staff. 

NECESSARY MATERIALS FOR APPLICATION • Completed online ED-JOIN Application; (incomplete application will not be considered. All fields must be filled in); • Letter of Introduction. • Current Résumé. • Three (3) Current Letters of Reference (dated and signed within three years). • Copy of Bachelor’s Degree. • Copy of Valid California Board of Occupational Therapy License. • Copy of Valid National Board of Occupational Therapy Certification. • Copy of Valid CPR Certification. • Applicants must meet minimum qualifications and provide all necessary materials prior to the stated deadline in order to qualify as a candidate