26-27 Occupational Therapist

Position Summary

To provide Occupational Therapy services to special education students with a variety of needs and severity of disabilities to help students develop the strength and skills needed to participate in the school environment.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

The essential functions or responsibilities listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position

• Collaborate with teachers, other related service providers and parents to ensure understanding of student’s occupational performance strengths and needs, through evaluation, educational program planning, and service delivery.
• Develop protocols for sensory spaces with an emphasis on students with Autism or sensory dysregulation.
• Evaluate students through a variety of functional, behavioral, and standardized assessments, skilled observation, checklists, histories, and interviews.
• Synthesize evaluation results into a comprehensive written report which reflects strengths and barriers to student’s participation in the educational environment.
• Participate in multidisciplinary meetings to review evaluation results, integrate findings with other disciplines, offer recommendations, and develop individual education plans for intervention plans to achieve IEP goals.
• Provide targeted, evidence-based therapeutic intervention to facilitate student participation and occupational performance within the school environment.
• Collect data for decision making and progress monitoring.
• Schedule direct services using a variety of service delivery models, including classroom intervention, consultation/collaboration and pull-out sessions as appropriate to meet student needs in the least restrictive environment.
• Maintain easily accessible and accurate student files.
• Safeguard confidentiality of student records.
• Complete logging of services for third party reimbursement accurately and in a timely manner.
• Monitor and reassess the effects of specific occupational therapy intervention and the need to continue, modify, or discontinue services.
• Adapt and modify environments, equipment, and materials.
• Train instructional staff and families to meet individually needs and to help students function as independently as possible.
• Manage inventory of therapeutic equipment.
• Attend reconvened Team meetings and parent-teacher conferences.
• Chair team meetings and participate collaboratively with multi-disciplinary educational teams to develop Individualized Education programs (IEPs), write measurable goals and objectives, and complete all required documentation in a timely manner.
• Develop appropriate IEPs based on students’ strengths and needs and demonstrates awareness of professional performance in due process matters and litigious environments.
• Plan, coordinate, and conduct educational trainings for staff, parents, and students.
• Participate in professional meetings and workshops directly related to Occupational Therapy.
• Perform related work as required.
• Position Reports to:
• School Principal and Director of Special Education or designee
  
  

Qualifications, Knowledge, Abilities, & Skills

• Master’s Degree or higher from an accredited occupational therapy program
• Registered Occupational Therapist
• Massachusetts License
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree or higher from an accredited occupational therapy program
• Registered Occupational Therapist
• Massachusetts License
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
  
  

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here 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 position’s essential functions.

• Mobility: Frequent walking, standing, and navigating stairs.
• Lifting/Strength: Ability to lift, push, pull, or carry objects ranging from 10 to 30 lbs (e.g., books, supplies, equipment).
• Physical Dexterity: Bending, crouching, kneeling, stooping, and reaching to assist students.
• Stationary Tasks: Remaining in a stationary position (sitting/standing) for long periods.
  
  

Reporting Relationships

• Position Reports to: The Director of Special Education
• Position Supervises: Not applicable
  
  

Terms of Employment

Position Type: Temporary

Employment Status: Full Time

• School Schedule: Monday - Friday
• FLSA Classification: Exempt
• Benefits Eligibility: Benefits eligible
  
  

Pre-Employment Requirements

MA Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) Clearance

Fingerprints

The Somerville Public School does not discriminate in its programs, facilities or employment of educational opportunities on the basis of race, color, age, religion, disability, pregnancy, home status, marital/civil union status, sex/gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, citizenship status, place of birth, national origin, ancestry, cultural identity, genetics or military status, and does not tolerate any form of retaliation, or bias-based intimidation, threat or harassment that demeans individuals' group or interferes with their ability to learn or work.