Mission Statement:
Uplift's mission is to create and sustain public schools of excellence that empower each student to reach their highest potential in college and the global marketplace and that inspire in students a life-long love of learning, achievement, and service in order to positively change their world.
Equity Vision Statement:
Uplift Education proactively engages scholars, families, and staff members to thrive as their authentic selves and partner in the journey required to identify, address, and correct existing and potential inequities.
Primary Purpose:
The Occupational Therapist Assistant will provide a variety of occupational therapy services for students to provide parents, teachers, administrators and other school personnel information regarding a students' strengths and needs.
The Occupational Therapist will provide an array of fine motor and sensory instruction to support scholars who receive Special Education services and enable them to access their educational environment. The Occupational Therapist Assistant will provide direct and consult services to students, parents, teachers, administrators, and other school personnel in the general and special education settings and may provide staff development as requested.
DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Analyze current data to write appropriate student IEP goals and objectives
• Collaborate with Occupational Therapist to assist classroom teachers and/or administrators with understanding the requirements for the implementation of IEP
• Demonstrate professional organizational skills that allow for efficient and expedient prioritization of tasks and projects
• Stay current in Special Education law and best practices
• Accept and offer team directions and feedback
• Exhibit professional demeanor and resourcefulness
• Communicate effectively with diverse groups
• Perform other duties as assigned such as SHARS billing
• Plan and provide appropriate individual and group therapy to students consistent with Occupational Therapy goals and objectives contained in Individual Education Program (IEP)
• Implement appropriate IEP goals for individual students based on data including formal and informal Occupational Therapy assessments
• Document student progress and determine readiness for termination of therapy services
• Counsel and involve parents in remediation process
• Collaborate with classroom teachers to plan and implement classroom activities to improve fine motor/sensory skills of students
• Provide professional development in assigned schools to help school personnel identify and understand fine motor/sensory deficits in students
• Communicate effectively with colleagues, students, and parents regarding the accomplishment of therapy goals and needs of the student
• Create an environment conducive to learning and appropriate for the maturity level, interests, and needs of the student
• Compile, maintain and file all physical and computerized reports including ARD Committee meeting records and other documents required for compliance with state and federal statute and Special Education eligibility folders
• Comply with policies established by federal and state law, State Board of Education rule, local board policy and administrative regulations

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
None
Education, Experience and/or Certification(s)

• Education Requirements:
  
  • Bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited college or university preferred
  • Associates degree from an Accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant Program required
• Experience Requirements:
  • Knowledge of habilitation, and rehabilitation of fine motor/sensory disorders and conditions
  • Knowledge of occupational therapy equipment, materials and procedures
  • Knowledge of development of fine motor/sensory skills
  • Knowledge of learning patterns in children
  • Knowledge of adaptive equipment
  • Ability to instruct and manage student behavior
  • Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Special Skills/Certifications:
  • Valid Texas license as an Occupational Therapist-Assistant granted by the Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners (TBOTE)

REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Ability to assess fine motor/sensory skills
• Knowledge of habilitation, and rehabilitation of fine motor/sensory disorders and conditions
• Knowledge of occupational therapy equipment, materials and procedures
• Knowledge of development of fine motor/sensory skills
• Knowledge of learning patterns in children
• Knowledge of adaptive equipment
• Ability to instruct and manage student behavior
• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills

Communication Skills: ability to communicate effectively with diverse groups using written, verbal & non-verbal communication skills
Bilingual: Not Required
Technology: ability to utilize web-based platforms, Google Drive, One Drive, OneNote, MS Word, MS Excel, MS Outlook along with basic office equipment
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to sit and use the wrists, hands and/or fingers. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; climb or balance. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Work at a desk and computer screen for extended periods of time.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment is representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The environment requires close proximity to other employees, frequent interruptions, extended periods of time viewing a computer screen, and noise levels from moderate to high. There may be activity from other employees and students of a distracting nature. There may be times that travel between schools and/or District offices is required.
Starting Salary: $48,000
Application Procedure:
Apply online
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
Uplift Education is an equal employment opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any classification protected by federal, state or local law.