Position #500082

 

 

 

Qualifications:

1. Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited institution that includes academic and clinical preparation.
2. Massachusetts State License as an Occupational Therapist

Knowledge of:

1. Medical diagnoses and disabilities that would result in a need for Occupational Therapy
2. Connections between disabilities and conditions with environments, treatment, and educational aspects of student programs
3. Intervention and treatment options to meet needs of various age and physical levels
4. Documentation regarding treatment plans, Individual Education Plans, student goal writing, progress monitoring and assessment tools, online resources, Medicaid reimbursement through school services, MA Board of Registry licensing requirements
5. Care and selection of therapy equipment, modifications, and accommodations used to address fine motor needs and skill development of students
6. Training of adults interacting with students with fine motor disability needs

             

Ability to:

1. Provide Occupational Therapy to students on Individualized Education Plans.
2. Implement occupational therapy educational treatment plans as needed within the educational settings at a variety of school buildings and school playground structures
3. Conduct initial, annual, and three year re-evaluation assessments of students referred for special education from preschool through high school grades
4. Consult and collaborate with school-based multi-disciplinary special education and related school service teams, as well as with external agencies and parents/guardians to assist in the implementation of educational occupational therapy services both direct and indirect
5. Consult and collaborate with school staff regarding environmental accommodations, modifications, and other barriers to allow for access to school facilities and educational opportunities, as well as to problem solve challenges so students are able to be active participants in their education within their school setting
6. Communicate through email, phone call, written documents, virtual platform if available within the school setting, and other technology platforms
7. Travel between schools, and to/from student homes within the Barnstable public school system to carry necessary equipment/ materials to meet student needs of both homebound and on-site caseload students’
8. Prepare therapeutic materials, classroom accommodations, and therapy space for student use

             Reports to: Co-Directors or Director of Special Education and Principal

 

 Job Goal(s): To provide students, with identified disabilities in the area(s) of fine and gross motor/ visual motor / visual perception / sensory/ and/or cognitive or other disabilities, with services and support as identified on their individualized special education or 504 accommodation plans with the accountability in the areas of assessment, direct student services, indirect services related to equipment/staff training/ parent consult, interagency collaboration, and documentation.

 

 Performance Responsibilities:

1. Collaborate and communicate with various school staff to arrange student schedules for services between multiple buildings and service providers, therapy work space, and appropriate times to access fine motor activity practice opportunities (such as stair and playground equipment use)
2. Storage, repurposing, and changing locations of occupational therapy materials (storage areas in our buildings, moving equipment to schools that need it)  
3. Providing and ordering (when needed) materials to specialized substantially separate programs, special ed classrooms or general ed classrooms.
4. Consultation with PT and APE, recess staff in addition to teaching staff and paraprofessionals
5. Participate in preschool screening process as assigned
6. Build positive relationships with paraprofessional and teaching staff to practice and reinforce occupational therapy objectives throughout the day.  Model therapy techniques to special ed staff, consult with each for specific carryover
7. Develop and provide home support, recommendations, summer activity ideas for families 

 (may include researching and selecting virtual options for homebound or extended school closure) 

8. Conduct evaluations and observations with report writing inclusive of data and recommendations, of in-   school students, incoming early intervention students, or homebound students
9. Review independent and private evaluations from an educational perspective
10. Assist in planning for access for students to participate in assemblies, field trips, field days, etc
11. Fieldwork education for students in accredited professional level OT program (with district consideration of student caseload and work load)
12. Home/school communication including email, virtual meeting, log book, and/or telephone use
13. Participate in professional development to maintain up-to-date skills and knowledge
14. Actively participate and complete tasks related to the Individual Education Program process, inclusive of writing IEP components and progress reports using district’s online platform and contributing during IEP, 504 plan, and other parent/staff meetings
15. Contribute to determining needs and adjustments, from the occupational therapy perspective, to existing and new programs with a focus on student enrollment population changes over time and facilities
16. Complete Educator Evaluation or Performance Review tasks for self-growth

 

Terms of Employment: Barnstable Teachers’ Association affiliated 10 months per year.

 

Physical Requirements: Candidate must be able to sit, stand, bend, stoop, kneel, and support students in their physical movements. Candidate must be able to drive between schools on a daily basis, type on a technology device, and lift/push/pull equipment weighing less than 30 pounds into position for student use.

 

Evaluation: Performance of this position will be evaluated annually by a Co-Director of Special Education, with input from school principals in the buildings where the occupational therapist provides services and in accordance with the School Committee policy for evaluation of educational staff.

 

Barnstable Public Schools is an EOE and strongly encourages minority candidates to apply.