Occupational Therapist Special Education

We are looking for an occupational therapist (full-time or part-time, 2-4 days a week) to join our team in a small non-public school for children with special needs. We utilize a strong theme-based approach, language support, and a model as we partner to create optimal educational experiences for every child.

Our occupational therapy caseloads are small to provide appropriate educational support for our students.

We are a small non-profit organization providing specialized education and intervention services to children with special needs aged 8 to 19. Our focus is on relationship-based learning opportunities that cultivate each student's individual strengths. Relationships serve as the foundation for all of the work that we do with children.

If you are interested in working on an innovative educational program, please get in touch with us.

Visit our website wellspringeducation.org for more information.

Performance Responsibilities

• Identify and evaluate the occupational therapy needs of students.
• Conducts screening evaluations and reassessment.
• Provide meaningful, developmentally appropriate instruction that is effective with students with a variety of disabilities, taking into account the unique individual profiles of each student.
• Provide group therapy in small classroom groups.
• Serve as a member of the IEP team for district and privately placed students.
• Participate in team meetings to coordinate occupational therapy goals with the total educational program.
• Determines necessary adaptive equipment for the student and determines if it is available. Fills out paperwork to order if necessary.
• Make suggestions toward the future development of the occupational therapy program.
• Maintains student records, collects and records data.
• Provide consultation to educational staff and parents for classroom and home management of perceptual, motor, sensory, and self-care programs.
• Conduct in-service or other training programs for Wellspring and district personnel on the role of occupational therapy as an educational service, normal sensory-motor development as related to learning, and identification of sensory-motor deficits
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and methods of occupational therapeutic techniques
• Objectives of occupational therapy treatment and services
• Principles of consultation, training, and supervision
• Basic principles and practices of instruction and supporting students who have social, emotional, communication, cognitive, or behavioral differences
• Safe practices in classroom, playground, and community
• Interpersonal relationship skills, including patience and courtesy
• Basic record-keeping techniques

Ability to:

• Provide instructional design for remote and onsite students
• Design developmentally appropriate occupational activities, applying principles of the developmental models listed above, using a relationship-based approach to instruction and assessment
• Provide occupational therapy assessments.
• Write legally compliant and educationally meaningful assessment reports using person-first language and listing student strengths at the start of the report, followed by areas of concern
• Work in a positive, collaborative, and respectful relationship with parents and staff members
• Provide ongoing training to other teachers and aides
• Work flexibly with students, family, and staff
• Communicate successfully and directly with staff and families

Education/Credential/Licenses:

• Possession of a certificate of registration with the National Registry of the American Occupational Therapy Association or eligibility for such registration.
• Possession of an appropriate CA operator’s license issued by the State Department.
• Must successfully pass the Department of Justice Fingerprinting
• Must provide evidence of clear TB test from within the last 60 days

Physical Abilities:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, and communicate with both adults and children. The employee is frequently required to use hands or fingers and handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is moderate to high.

Position: Full time OR Part Time.

Salary: Starting $96,937.92 (total compensation based on experience, annualized. Prorated for days worked for partial year).

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person