Occupational Therapist

Charles County Public Schools•Waldorf, MD

11h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Occupational Therapist will screen and/or evaluate students (birth through age 21) referred to the IEP/Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) process. This role involves administering formal and informal occupational therapy assessments, planning and implementing IEP goals and objectives for therapy programs based on eligibility and individual child needs. The therapist will provide consultation to staff, parents, and support personnel for implementation of goals, maintain all appropriate student documentation, and determine the need for and intensity/frequency of therapy services and consultations in an online database. Records must be maintained in accordance with COMAR and county procedures, and data/observations from therapy sessions and consultations must be documented. The position requires participation in parent conferences and school/departmental meetings as appropriate, modification and adaptation of equipment and devices for students in their environments, and maintaining ongoing relationships with medical caregivers, vendors, and other community service providers. Training and/or consultation to school system staff may be provided as needed to address student needs. The therapist will function as a member of a team in planning effective treatment programs and participate in IEP/IFSP/504/SST (Student Services Team) and clinic/agency meetings as needed. Maintaining continuing professional development for state license requirements is essential. Recommendations for supplies and equipment to support student needs will be made, and data will be tracked with quarterly progress reports provided each marking period. Monthly Medicaid billing for direct therapy services provided must be completed and submitted. Collaboration with a multi-disciplinary team including teachers, PTs, OTs, COTAs, SLPs, SLPAs, instructional assistants (IAs), behavioral specialists, school psychologists, etc., is expected. The role requires reporting to work promptly, working under stress and meeting deadlines, and planning a therapy/consultation schedule that meets the needs of students. Travel between schools as necessary, providing resource assistance in workshop activities, and establishing positive public relations between the school, families, and the community are also key functions. This position is responsible for the above duties and responsibilities, and others related to this position as determined by the Director of Special Education.

Requirements

Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctorate Degree in Occupational Therapy from an approved institution
Maryland State License in Occupational Therapy
Completion of clinical affiliations
Pass the qualifying examination for national certification
Knowledge of typical versus delayed/atypical fine motor development, sensory processing, functional mobility, self-help skills, vocational skills, and activities of daily living
Demonstrate diagnostic skills in the areas of fine motor, sensory processing, functional mobility, self-help/adaptive, vocational, and daily living
Ability to administer formal and informal assessment instruments for the above-mentioned skill areas
Ability to analyze and write evaluation reports and Individual Education Plans (IEPs)
Knowledge of the Medicaid billing process
Knowledge of educational and psychological assessments
Knowledge of the general education curriculum
Understanding of and ability to maintain rapport with persons from diverse, cultural, ethnic, and racial groups
Demonstrate interpersonal skills when working with diverse groups, including but not limited to parents, fellow staff, students, administrators, and community agency representatives
Demonstrate success in accomplishing tasks akin to those responsibilities listed below

Responsibilities

Screen and/or evaluate students (birth through age 21) referred to the IEP/Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) process.
Administer formal and informal occupational therapy assessments.
Plan and implement IEP goals and objectives for therapy programs based on eligibility and individual child needs.
Provide consultation to staff, parents, and support personnel for implementation of goals.
Maintain all appropriate student documentation.
Determine need for and intensity/frequency of therapy services and consultations in online database.
Maintain records in accordance with COMAR and county procedures.
Document data/observations from therapy sessions and consultations.
Participate in parent conferences and school/departmental meetings as appropriate.
Modify and adapt equipment and devices for students in their environments.
Maintain ongoing relationships with medical caregivers, vendors, and other community service providers as appropriate.
Provide training and/or consultation to school system staff as needed to address student needs.
Functions as a member of a team in planning effective treatment programs.
Participate in IEP/IFSP/504/SST (Student Services Team) and clinic/agency meetings as needed.
Maintain continuing professional development for state license requirements.
Makes recommendations for supplies and equipment to support student needs.
Track data and provide quarterly progress reports each marking period.
Complete and submit monthly Medicaid billing for direct therapy services provided.
Collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team including teachers, PTs, OTs, COTAs, SLPs, SLPAs, instructional assistants (IAs), behavioral specialists, school psychologists, etc.
Report to work promptly.
Work under stress and meet deadlines.
Plan a therapy/consultation schedule that meets the needs of students.
Travel between schools as necessary.
Provide resource assistance in workshop activities.
Establish positive public relations between the school, families, and the community.