Part Time Occupational Therapist

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

Job Purpose

The Part Time Occupational Therapist (OT) works collaboratively with the Occupational Therapist, Behavior Analysts, and Special Education Teachers to develop and provide educational and clinical programming related to occupational therapy goals in the classroom for students with autism and related disabilities. The Part Time OT assists the OT in any of the duties and responsibilities below as needed, including engaging in active consultation with all classroom staff. During active consultation, the Part Time OT observes the staff work with the student, reviews data, models various clinical and teaching strategies for the staff, provides corrective feedback to staff, and directly works with the student in order to revise or probe techniques. The Part Time OT will serve as an active member of the students’ Individualized Education Plan teams and will provide parent consult and training as needed. The Part Time OT takes an active role in ensuring all occupational therapy services are delivered in accordance to each student’s IEP-mandated services and utilizing current evidence-based and ethical practices.

Duties and Responsibilities

IEP Development, Implementation, and Progress Monitoring

· Review students’ histories, conduct assessments, consult with parents and educational team to determine students’ need for therapy and incorporate results into IEP.

• Administer assessments within the scope of an OT. Assist Special Education Teacher and Behavior Analyst with administration of classroom, functional, and behavioral assessments as appropriate.
• Develop observable and measurable IEP goals across the domains of handwriting and fine motor skills. Collaborate and coordinate with Special Education Teachers and Behavior Analyst in the development of self-help and independent living, pre-vocational and vocational, and community living goals.

· Participate in student IEP meetings as needed.

• Create and implement an evidence-based, therapeutic program for each OT goal in the IEP. Provide consultation and support to the classroom to address related collaborative IEP goals.
• Collect and summarize data on related IEP goals and programs for assessment and progress reporting.

· Prepare progress reports on OT related IEP goals in accordance with current procedures

Direct Occupational Therapy Services

• Conduct therapy sessions in a 1:1 or small group setting
• Remain up-to-date on student behavior support plans, independently implement them in therapy sessions, and manage challenging behaviors effectively
• Deliver instruction in accordance with current student protocols specific to error correction and errorless teaching when appropriate.
• Probe proposed changes to communication programs and make recommendations to the Special Education Teacher and Behavior Analyst to address student needs.
• Engineer and maximize opportunities for student independence with functional and adaptive skills.

Consultative Services

• Closely monitor related student programs through direct observations and review of data.
• Coordinate and collaborate regularly with Behavior Analysts and Special Education Teachers.
• Provide formal and informal training to staff and families as needed.
• Make recommendations for any appropriate adaptive equipment, and maintain adaptive equipment as needed.

Professional Development

· Maintain national certification with the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) by participating in continuing education opportunities.

• Maintain state licensure
• Supervises graduate students and volunteers (as appropriate)
• Maintain commitment to professional growth and competency through attending seminars, workshops and conferences
• Incorporate current research in the field of occupational therapy and autism

Position Type

This is a part-time position. This position involves working with students who exhibit challenging and/or aggressive behavior and participation in community outings.

Direct Reports

This position does not have any direct reports.

• Valid driver’s license required
• Master’s degree; graduation from an accredited Occupational Therapy program, plus the required clinical internship for professional registration
• Satisfactory completion of Certification Examination of National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapists
• Occupational Therapy License for the State of Virginia
• Prior experience in areas of Occupational Therapy with individuals with autism preferred

· Experience in the application of applied behavior analysis (ABA) preferred