Job Title

Occupational Therapist 

Salary Scale

TCH

Location 

School Location 

PSC Code 

370000

Reports To

Principal/ Director of Assistant Superintendent of Exceptional Children 

Shift Type

Full Time/Exempt

General Statement of Job 

Under limited supervision, provides evaluation, goal development and occupational therapy treatment of students, including special education students, to minimize student handicaps and increase their abilities to access and achieve educational goals. 

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Screens students referred for occupational therapy services to determine need for therapy in the school environment.
• Participates in diagnostic evaluations of students, interprets and documents evaluations, and participates in IEP meetings and development of the IEP.
• Plans, schedules and organizes treatment programs and therapy sessions.
• Establishes treatment goals. Selects and conducts therapeutic intervention activities.
• Monitors classroom program and environmental setting to evaluate effect on students.
• Conducts parent/teacher conferences to review evaluation results, objectives, performance progress and home programs.
• Documents services provided and progress. Completes required Medicaid forms.
• May travel between schools.
• Fabricates and adapts selected therapeutic equipment and splints. Coordinates some fabrication projects with maintenance staff.
• Assists in providing in-service education for school staff.
• Keeps abreast of developments and innovations in the profession.
• Coordinates services and programs with community service providers as necessary.
• Maintains inventory of required supplies and equipment; orders supplies as needed.
• Receives, reviews, prepares and/or submits various records and reports, including screening forms, permission forms, medical referrals, medical/educational documentation, training materials, evaluation reports, travel records, memos, correspondence, etc.
• Operates a variety of equipment, such as a hot air gun, hot water bath, sewing machine, hand tools, small power tools, needle and thread, and various therapeutic equipment needed for positioning and improving function of students.
• Interacts and communicates with various groups and individuals, such as the immediate supervisor, District and school administrators, consultants, psychologists, teachers, medical professionals, social workers, other District personnel, students, parents, community service and government agencies, and the general public.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES

• Performs general administrative/clerical tasks as needed, including but not limited to, typing reports and correspondence, copying and filing documents, filling out forms, answering the telephone, faxing information, attending meetings, etc.
• Performs related duties as required.

Essential Functions 

Physical Requirements: 

Tasks involve the ability to exert very moderate physical effort in light work, typically involving some combination of stooping, kneeling, crouching and crawling, and which involves some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight (up to 20 pounds).

Data Conception: 

Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable functional, structural or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.

Interpersonal Communications: 

Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving assignments and/or direction from the supervisor.

Language Ability:

Requires ability to read a variety of reports and documentation, policy and procedure manuals, medical texts, technical manuals, professional journals, etc. Requires the ability to prepare therapy plans, reports, records, recommendations, correspondence, etc., with proper format, punctuation, spelling and grammar, using all parts of speech. Requires the ability to speak with and before others with poise, voice control and confidence.

Intelligence:

Requires the ability to apply principles of logical thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions; to deal with several abstract and concrete variables. Requires the ability to apply to learn and understand relatively complex principles and techniques; to make independent judgments in absence of supervision; to acquire knowledge of topics related to primary occupation. Must have the ability to comprehend and interpret received information.

Verbal Aptitude: 

Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow and give verbal and written instructions; to counsel and teach employees and clients. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently with persons of varying ages and educational/cultural backgrounds and in a variety of technical and/or professional languages including special education, medical, counseling, sign language / finger spelling, etc.

Numerical Aptitude: 

Requires the ability to add and subtract totals, to multiply and divide, to determine percentages and decimals and to determine time. Must be able to use practical applications of statistics.

Form/Spatial Aptitude:

Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape; to identify degrees of similarity or differences in form, shape, movement, etc.; and visually read various information.

Motor Coordination:

Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes using office and special therapeutic equipment/machinery; to operate motor vehicles.

Manual Dexterity:

Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, keyboards, office equipment, control knobs, buttons, switches, catches, therapy aids, etc. Must have moderate levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.

Interpersonal Temperament:

Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress when confronted with emergency situations or tight deadlines. The worker may be subject to danger or risk to a moderate degree and to tension as a regular, consistent part of the job.

Physical Communications:

Requires the ability to talk and hear: (talking: expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing: perceiving nature of sounds by ear).

Training and Education 

Requires a Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Must be a licensed occupational therapist in the state as mandated by the S.C. Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulations.

Performance Evaluation Criteria 

Job Knowledge:

Has thorough knowledge of the methods, procedures and policies of Special Education Services as they pertain to the performance of duties of the Occupational Therapist. Is knowledgeable in the laws, ordinances, standards and regulations pertaining to the specific duties and responsibilities of the position. Has considerable knowledge of the functions and interrelationships of Florence 1 Schools and other governmental agencies. Has considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of occupational therapy. Is able to interpret the treatment needs of students. Has knowledge of the tools, equipment, materials and devices used in therapy and for the fabrication of therapeutic devices. Has a comprehensive knowledge of mental retardation, physical handicaps, learning disabilities, emotional handicaps and all other conditions making children exceptional. Has thorough knowledge of appropriate curriculum and testing for special needs students. Is able to make sound, educated decisions. Has the ability to offer guidance and assistance to co-workers and employees of other departments as required. Has the ability to use independent judgment as needed in performing routine and non-routine tasks. Is able to take the initiative to complete the duties of the position without the need of direct supervision. Is able to read and interpret complex professional and medical reports, student records and related materials pertaining to the responsibilities of the job. Knows how to prepare complex reports, student assessments, treatment goals and objectives, correspondence, etc. Has a comprehensive knowledge of the terminology and various professional languages used within the department. Knows how to maintain effective relationships with personnel of other departments, professionals and members of the public through contact and cooperation. Knows how to react calmly and quickly in emergency situations. Knows how to make public presentations. Has the mathematical ability to handle required calculations. Has the ability to plan, organize and prioritize daily assignments and work activities. Has good organizational, technical and human relations skills. Has the ability to learn and utilize new skills and information to improve job performance and efficiency.

Quality of Work: 

Maintains high standards of accuracy in exercising duties and responsibilities. Exercises immediate remedial action to correct any quality deficiencies that occur in areas of responsibility. Maintains high quality communication and interaction with internal and external entities with whom the position interacts.

Quantity of Work:

Performs described Essential Functions and related assignments efficiently and effectively in order to produce a quantity of work which consistently meets established standards and expectations.

Dependability:

Assumes responsibility for completing assigned work.Completes assigned work within deadlines in accordance with directives, policy, standards and prescribed procedures. Maintains accountability for assigned responsibilities in the technical, human and conceptual areas.

Attendance: 

Attends and remains at work regularly and adheres to policies and procedures regarding absenteeism and tardiness. Provides adequate notice to higher management with respect to vacation time and leave requests.

Initiative and Enthusiasm:

Maintains an enthusiastic, self-reliant and self-starting approach to meet job responsibilities and accountabilities. Strives to anticipate work to be accomplished, and initiates proper and acceptable action for the completion of work with a minimum of supervision and instruction.

Judgment:

Exercises analytical judgment in areas of responsibility. Identifies issues or situations as they occur and specifies decision objectives. Identifies or assists in identifying alternative solutions to issues or situations. Implements decisions in accordance with prescribed and effective policies and procedures and with a minimum of errors. Seeks expert or experienced advice where appropriate and researches issues, situations and alternatives before exercising judgment. Monitors the activities/behavior of the student body to ensure student safety and well-being.

Cooperation:

Accepts supervisory instruction and direction and strives to meet the goals and objectives of the same. Questions such as instruction and direction when clarification of results or consequences are justified, i.e., poor communications, variance with established policies or procedures, etc.Offers suggestions and recommendations to encourage and improve cooperation intra- and inter-departmentally.

Relationships with Others:

Shares knowledge with managers, supervisors and co-workers for mutual benefit. Contributes to maintaining high morale among all employees. Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships inter- and intra-departmentally, and with external entities with whom the position interacts. Tactfully and effectively handles requests, suggestions and complaints in order to establish and maintain good will. Emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive image.

Coordination of Work:

Plans and organizes daily work routine.Establishes priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound time-management methodology. Avoids duplication of effort. Estimates expected time of completion of work elements and establishes a personal schedule accordingly. Attends required meetings, planning sessions and discussions on time. Implements work activity in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules.

Safety:

Adheres to all safety and housekeeping standards established by the District and various regulatory agencies. Sees that standards are not violated. Maintains a clean and orderly workplace.

DISCLAIMER: This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice.

Terms of Employment 

190 day work agreement. Salary and work year to be established by the district.