What are the responsibilities and job description for the Occupational Therapist Assistant - Anticapated Opening 2025-26 position at Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership?
The assistant position is accountable for working with students throughout the school system who may have physical, sensory, and/or cognitive delays, which may be impacting their academic achievements. They will work under the supervision and guidance of a registered therapist providing individual, group and/or cooperative lessons. They will work cooperatively within the school environment with regular, as well as special education, staff to best enable the students to benefit from their academic experiences.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE JOB:
- Provide therapeutic and educational treatments consistent with the recommendations of the registered staff person. Treatments may include, but are not limited to, lifting, transferring, positioning, using adaptive equipment, changing when necessary, setting up positioning devices, assisting with mobility training, as well as assisting and supporting during activity execution.
- Work cooperatively with regular and special education staff to accommodate the needs of the students within the academic environment.
- Travel from school to school to meet the needs of the caseload demands,
- Schedule assigned students within the appropriate time frame of the school day and work week, that would best meet the needs of the student, as well as maximizing the time of the assistant. Review schedule with supervising therapist.
- Work cooperatively with the supervising therapist. Provide information relevant to the student’s recommended program in writing or verbally as is prearranged between supervisor and assistant. Meet regularly for supervision and case review. Assume initiative in seeking out registered staff when encountering difficulties in procedures or assigned services.
- Assist with screening students for the end of the year, or meetings as needed.
- Provide individual therapy, classroom groups, small groups, and/or cooperative therapy according to the recommendations of the supervising therapist and educational plan.
- Attend staff meetings and team conferences as needed.
- Compete quarterlies of the students on the schedule and review as needed with the registered staff person.
- Collaborate with the members of the school based team – OT, PT, ST, Special and Regular Education Teachers, Paraprofessionals, etc – regarding students as needed.
- Participate in continuing education opportunities whenever possible to enhance therapy skills.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE JOB:
- Maintains and manages a caseload comprised of physically disabled students in the schools.
- Works collaboratively with the Evaluation Team Leader and school team to develop educationally based IEPs for physically disabled students.
- Associates of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited institution recognized by the American Medical Association having a two-year program of academic and clinical preparation.
- Licensed in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts by the Board of Allied Health.
- Prior experience in a school setting preferred, pediatric experience preferred
- Lifting, carrying, bending, floor activities.
- Frequent travel between schools