Overview

Assists the Occupational Therapist in student evaluations. Implements occupational therapy programs as determined by the supervising occupational therapist. Informs the therapist of changes in student status. Assists in the maintenance of a safe and orderly clinic and maintains equipment and machinery as assigned. Participates in educational, research, and quality improvement projects. Assist the Occupational Therapist in implementing therapy and student evaluations, and maintaining a safe and orderly clinic.

Responsibilities

Performs variety of therapy procedures on assigned students as directed by the occupational therapist, including: training in self-care activities (i.e. feeding and dressing) to maximize independence; sensory stimulation techniques to enhance environmental/self awareness; use of age appropriate functional activities to promote cognitive, perceptual, fine and gross motor development; therapeutic exercise to increase or maintain range of motion, strength muscles, and/or improve coordination; positioning, handling and modifications of equipment to facilitate relaxation and optimal functional status; wheelchair mobility programs to promote functional mobility; teaching compensatory techniques to alleviate functional deficits resulting from sensory motor impairment, quarterly review of joint flexibility, under the direction of an Occupational Therapist.Assists the occupational therapist(s) in the evaluation of student progress. Identifies changes in student status and/or response to treatment, utilizes considerable judgment in the interpretation of the situation and student condition, and reports observations to supervisor. Records in student files the treatments given, any reactions or responses, and other relevant comments in a timely manner.Attends meetings (e.g. team conferences) as assigned to discuss student treatment programs and occupational therapy concerns. May represent the department at meetings when specifically requested, including facility based teams and committees. Participates in team discussions in an articulate, positive, and productive manner. Fabricates adaptive equipment as directed by the occupational therapist. May assist in the fabrication of splints and be assigned responsibility for monitoring fit, usage, skin care, and condition of splints.Maintains equipment in proper working order. Performs routine repairs. Prepares requisitions for routine items and maintains department inventory as required.Instructs staff, as assigned, in principles of habilitation and appropriate care techniques such as activities of daily living, feeding techniques, splinting, vocational programming and other techniques specific to individual student programs.Attends departmental staff development activities. Presents topics of OT/PT relevance or student case histories indicating background, diagnosis, treatment, results of treatment and special concerns. Comments on in-services presented by colleagues.Maintains proficiency in occupational therapy by attending workshops, conferences and treatments given by other occupational therapists.Assists in the orientation of new staff members and other clinical staff.Attends all mandatory in-services and participates in SHG based teams and committees, as requested by supervisor.Responds to emergency situations in a competent manner.Adheres to established policies and procedures.

Qualifications

Certification and license or eligibility for licensure as an occupational therapy assistant with the Board of Allied Health Professions, Division of Registration, Commonwealth of Massachusetts.Broad and thorough knowledge of occupational therapy procedures typically acquired through an Associate Degree from a school accredited by the American Occupational Therapy Association, involving two years of education and three to six months of clinical experience.Ability to establish rapport with students, families, supervisor and related personnel; and to motivate careful adherence to treatment programs by students, families, and staff as appropriate.Treatment involves close physical contact between student and assistant, requiring the ability to provide occupational therapy in a manner which protects the personal rights of the student.