Occupational Therapist Hemet, CA
About The Position
NiteLines USA is seeking an Occupational Therapist to work with Hemet Unified School District as part of a multidisciplinary team. The role provides assessment, planning, goal development, and appropriate intervention services to help students with special needs acquire functional performance skills. The therapist develops and implements treatment plans based on assessments, educational implications, and IEP goals and objectives, and collaborates with school staff, medical personnel, families, and community agencies to support student progress. The position serves an average caseload of 70–80 students across school sites in the Hemet, San Jacinto, Idyllwild, and Anza areas. The contracted employee drives between sites daily to support student assessments. The work is in school offices, classrooms, and outdoor school grounds, with exposure to student noise and music, food odors, possible communicable diseases, interruptions, dust, wind, and high and low temperatures. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable a person with a disability to perform the essential functions.
Requirements
- Baccalaureate or higher degree with emphasis on occupational therapy.
- At least one year of work experience providing occupational therapy services to children ages three to twenty-two.
- Valid registration by the American Occupational Therapy Association and/or the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy.
- Possess and maintain a valid California driver’s license.
- Knowledge of sensory integration theory and its application in treating autism, PDD, and associated regulatory disorders.
- Understanding of developmental foundations and neurodevelopmental implications related to learning, behavior, and educational success.
- Understanding of the difference between educational and medical models for determining appropriate school-based therapy services.
- Understanding of state and federal regulations, guidelines, and timelines.
- Ability to use a variety of occupational therapy methods, techniques, and practices.
- Ability to work independently and autonomously with little direction.
- Ability to properly use and care for occupational therapy materials, supplies, and equipment.
- Ability to organize tasks, set priorities, meet deadlines, and manage multiple tasks.
- Ability to direct and instruct others.
- Ability to respond appropriately to evaluations and changes in the work setting.
- Good written and oral communication and collaboration skills with parents, staff, and community agencies.
- Ability to make oral presentations to large and small groups.
- Ability to participate in the IEP team process and work effectively with District personnel, community representatives, interdisciplinary teams, and students.
- Ability to perform the listed physical demands, including lifting items up to 40 pounds.
Nice To Haves
- Experience working with children with special needs is desirable.
Responsibilities
- Evaluate student performance in areas including fine motor tasks, oral dysfunction, sensory impairments, perceptual motor skills, posture, and movement.
- Formulate and implement individual treatment plans based on assessment, educational implications, and IEP goals and objectives.
- Recommend methods and strategies to address student therapy needs.
- Collaborate with medical personnel and multidisciplinary team members in interpreting and implementing therapy services.
- Collaborate with teachers and support staff on activities that support or reinforce students’ occupational therapy needs.
- Communicate and collaborate with staff and family members to integrate therapy activities into home and school programs and support student progress.
- Provide direct training and assistance to support staff involved with a student.
- Maintain safe equipment and therapy environments.
- Re-evaluate students and their occupational therapy plans regularly.
- Develop and review student goals and objectives in accordance with each student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP).
- Maintain records and documentation related to individual assessments and services.
- Attend IEP meetings as necessary and maintain student progress notes.
- Supervise Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTAs).
- Drive between school sites daily to support student assessments.
