ORANGE COUNTY SCHOOLS 

POSITION DESCRIPTION

POSITION PURPOSE:

The Occupational Therapist Assistant identify and treat at risk students in order to minimize the impact of their limitations on their educational and life pursuits. Work involves screening, evaluations, educational program for students identified with or suspected of having disabilities, that interfere with their ability to perform daily life activities. Professional judgment and clinical knowledge are used in the areas of personal care, student role, interaction skills, process skills, play, community integration/work, and graphic communication. The OT-Assistant assist with documenting treatment planning and treatment activities, documenting student progress, consulting with parents, classroom teachers. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES 

• Thorough knowledge of principles, practices and procedures of specialty area
• Thorough knowledge of the principles and methodology of providing effective therapy for special needs students 
• Thorough knowledge of and adherence to legal procedures contained in federal and state statutes and regulations regarding the provision of services to students with disabilities, including IDEA, HIPPA, and FERPA laws and guidelines 
• Thorough knowledge of human development throughout life span, integrated with students’ unique developmental status 
• Knowledge of occupational therapy principles and methodologies related to the provision of school based intervention for children with special needs 
• Thorough knowledge of anatomy, neuroanatomy, kinesiology, psychology and various medical diagnoses 
• Thorough knowledge of normal and abnormal child development 
• Thorough knowledge of departmental rules, regulations and procedures for delivering services
• Thorough knowledge of skill levels of the K-12 population 
• Thorough knowledge of Individuals with Disabilities Educational Act (IDEA) and Individual Educational Plan (IEP) guidelines and procedures 
• Thorough knowledge of the federal, state, local legislation, regulations, policies and procedures that mandate and guide occupational therapy practice in schools 
• Thorough knowledge of school system and departmental rules, regulations, and procedures
• Considerable knowledge of appropriate evaluation tools 
• Ability to interpret evaluation data and write a comprehensive report that reflects strengths and barriers (if any) to student participation and occupational performance 
• Ability to establish and maintain standards of behavior 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other staff, students and parents 
• Ability to research and determine evidence based practice supporting therapy interventions

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE 

• Bachelor’s (Four Year) Degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited occupational therapy professional program recognized by NCBOT 
• Completed all fieldwork requirements 
• Two (2) years of experience as an Occupational Therapist in a school system or pediatric practice setting 
• Any equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the required combination of knowledge, skills and abilities 

CERTIFICATION AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS 

• Initial Certification by national Board for Certification of Occupational Therapy
• Must possess a valid driver’s license issued by the NC Department of Motor Vehicles 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Five (5) years minimum experience working in a public school setting 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Advise administration and staff regarding bus safety; lifting and transfer techniques, architectural barriers and adapted equipment; oral motor techniques and precautions; medical precautions and feeding issues 
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Director or Assistant Director for Exceptional Children 

1. Identification
• Collaborate with other disciplines to ensure team understanding of student occupational performance strengths and needs, through evaluation, educational program planning, and service delivery 
• Assess student’s ability using appropriate evaluation tools including standardized tests, observations, functional and behavioral assessments and review of medical and educational reports 
• Conduct interviews with parents and staff to determine the need for a therapy intervention plan 
• Develop occupationally based intervention plans based on student needs and evaluation results 
• Participate in interdisciplinary meetings to review evaluation results, integrate findings with other disciplines, offer recommendations.
2. Service Delivery
• Consult with school–based team to achieve student outcomes 
• Provide classroom programs, instruction in management techniques, adapted equipment, and environmental modifications including the identification of architectural barrier
• Educate students, educational personnel, and families to facilitate skills in areas of occupation as well as health maintenance and safety 
• Monitor and reassess the effects of occupational therapy intervention and the need to continue, modify, or discontinue intervention 
• Document occupational therapy services to ensure accountability of service provision and to meet standards for reimbursement of services as appropriate 
3. Education
• Teach, monitor, and collaborate with educational personnel, community agencies, parents and students to increase understanding of the student’s occupational performance.
• Use the professional Code of Ethics and standards of practice to guide ethical decision making in practice 

DISCLAIMER: The above statements are intended to describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this position. They are not intended to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and skills that may be required of the employees assigned to this position. This description may be revised by the supervisor, with HR review and approval, any time.

200 E. King St., Hillsborough, NC 27278 Version 10/5/2017