Occupational Therapist - Tarrant County (Immediate Opening)

IDEA Public Schools • Fort Worth, TX

13d • Onsite

About The Position

Occupational Therapist Special Programs Role Mission : The Occupational Therapist (OT) sets ambitious goals for IDEA student achievement and invests in students and families in accomplishing them, creates a powerful learning environment, plans and delivers purposeful, educational-based occupational therapy, assesses for the presence of fine motor, visual motor integration, and coordination deficits, as well as dysregulation, sensory issues, and behavioral deficits, tracks student progress toward goals, analyzes data to intervene and adjusts therapy, and seeks excellence as an educator and an IDEA team member. The OT reports directly to the regional Lead OT . This role involves some minor travel between assigned campuses. Location: This is a full-time on-site position located in Tarrant County. Preference will be given to candidates who live in the region , or who are willing to relocate.

Requirements

• Knowledge and ability to assess students for the presence of fine motor deficits, visual motor integration, and coordination, dysregulation, sensory issues, and/or behavioral deficits, and determine eligibility for services using various assessment tools.
• Ability to plan and provide appropriate individual and group therapy to students consistent with occupational therapy goals contained in Individual Education Plan (IEP) and collaborate with general educators, special educators, and interventionists in order to plan and implement classroom-based activities to improve writing skills and behavioral skills.
• Participate in the Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) Committee regarding interpretation of assessment data, appropriate placement, and goal setting for students with the presence of fine motor deficits, dysregulation, sensory issues, and/or behavioral deficits, in accordance with IDEA Public Schools Policies and Procedures, Texas Education Agency (TEA) guidelines, and Licensing Boards.
• Develop and provide district wide trainings to school personnel and parents in the identification and understanding of students with the presence of fine motor deficits, dysregulation, sensory issues, and behavioral deficits.
• Compile, maintain, and file all reports, records, and other documents required by IDEA Public Schools
• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited college or university
• Valid Texas License as an Occupational Therapist granted by the Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners
• National Certification in Occupational Therapy, Occupational Therapist Registered
• Valid Driver’s License
• Must be able to sit for extended periods of time without being able to leave the work area.
• Must be able to climb ladders or scaffolding, or climb and work in overhead areas
• Must be able to work in a confined space or to crawl or move about on hands and knees.
• Must be able to lift and carry or otherwise move 20 pounds (regularly/occasionally)
• Physical ability to work around small children including sitting, standing, running and climbing stairs.
• Must be able to lift and carry small children up to 40 pounds in case of emergency.
• Must be able to work in indoor and outdoor environments, including in times of excessive heat or cold

Responsibilities

• Review IEPs and ensure 100% implementation of extensive knowledge and provide top quality occupational therapy services.
• Create IEPs aligned to the curriculum with the collaboration of parents, general educators, special educators, and interventionists.
• Monitor students’ therapy and academic progress throughout the year in order to update goals and request additional testing when deemed necessary.
• Ensure 100% compliance by completing Occupational Therapy Initials and Re-Evaluations prior to due date as per Texas Education Agency (TEA) timelines.
• Demonstrate extensive knowledge in the appropriate selection of assessment tools, conducting assessments, interpreting, and identifying students with the presence of fine motor deficits, dysregulation, sensory issues, and/or behavioral deficits and determine eligibility for services according to IDEA Public Schools Policies and Procedures, TEA guidelines, and Licensing Boards.
• Ensure 100% compliance with ARDs by reviewing Special Education Student Rosters for Annual ARDs and Re-Evaluations due dates on a weekly basis.
• Schedule Annual ARDs and Re-Evaluation ARDs prior to due date with Diagnostician, Licensed Specialist School Psychology, and/or Speech Language Pathologist to ensure 100% compliance.
• Participate in ARDs and update IEPs, Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance, and schedule of service in accordance with students’ progress and academic needs
• Maintain Therapy Notes, Tracking Logs, ARD Logs, and Evaluation Logs on a daily basis and review with the Manager on a weekly/bi-weekly basis.
• Submit Therapy Logs on a Quarterly Basis to their Manager.
• Maintain SHARS (Medicaid) records and submit SHARS documentation on a monthly basis .
• Ensure and monitor students’ progress in order to complete progress reports on a quarterly basis.
• Participate in Annual Performance Review with their Manager and submit documentation.
• Communicate a shared vision and shared responsibility to establish and promote efficient implementation of RTI at the campus level throughout the various tiers.
• Support the RTI Team in providing recommendations for the implementation of fine motor, dysregulation, sensory, and/or behavioral interventions with high levels of fidelity.
• Participate in the formal assessment, planning, and scheduling of ARDs alongside the Diagnostician, Licensed Specialist in School Psychology, and/or Speech Language Pathologist in order to report evaluation results within TEA timeframe to the ARD Committee.

Benefits

• medical, dental, and vision plans
• disability, life insurance, parenting benefits, flexible spending account options, generous vacation time, referral bonuses, professional development, and a 403(b) plan
• IDEA may offer a relocation stipend to defray the cost of moving for this role, if applicable.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees