Occupational Therapist

SUMMARY: The Occupational Therapist (OT) is responsible for providing targeted, evidence-based therapeutic intervention to address sensory integration, gross and fine motor, and provide consult to teachers as needed for activities of daily living within the school environment. In collaboration with the Lead Teacher and Program Director, the OT provides student-specific recommendations that promote independence in accessing the learning environment.

Location: This position will be split between two of our campuses, with the majority of time spent at our Joshua Early Childhood Center (JECC) in Centennial. The COTA will also provide support at our Boulder campus approximately 2–4 days per month. Mileage reimbursement is provided for travel between campuses.

Caseload: Approximately 45 students across both campuses

• JECC (Centennial): 24 students; therapist provides all direct services with no additional COTA support
• Boulder: 20 students; supported by a COTA who provides direct therapy services two days per week

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Intervention Planning, Implementation, Training & Collaboration:

• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings to review evaluation results, integrate findings within students' overall programs, offer recommendations, and develop individual plans to improve sensory integration, fine and gross motor skills and consult with teachers as needed for activities of daily living.
• Develop occupational therapy-based intervention plans based on student needs and evaluation results, specifically to address sensory integration, fine and gross motor, and consult with teachers as needed for activities of daily living deficits that impede learning in current school/vocation settings.
• Develop small group and dyad activities for students in the areas of sensory integration, fine and gross motor.
• Use Behavior Skills Training to coach Lead Teachers, Instructional Assistants, family members, and other team members to implement occupational therapy recommendations and strategies.
• Provide legal and ethical supervision of Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) assuming responsibility for the students served by assistant.
• At student intake: Evaluate each student's abilities and formulate each student's OT profile through records review, formal and informal assessments, skilled observation, and interviews. Synthesize intake evaluation results into a brief written report which reflects strengths and barriers to student participation in the current school/vocational setting.
• Ongoing: Provide brief, targeted assessments regarding sensory integration, fine and gross motor skills and consult with teachers as needed for activities of daily living deficits annually, or as student issues are referred by Lead Teacher/Program Director, and write targeted recommendations that are easy for staff to understand and implement.
• Probe strategies directly with students to identify which may be effective.
• Recommend adaptations and modifications to the environment. Research and team to set up and train staff to use and maintain OT equipment appropriately.
• Make referrals as necessary for additional supports that each student might benefit from outside of school.

Progress Monitoring & Documentation

• Document student progress by tracking service minutes, analyzing data for OT-related IEP objectives, and providing recommendations for changes in programming based on progress or lack thereof.
• Document OT/COTA services to ensure accountability of service provision and to meet standards for reimbursement of services as appropriate.
• Maintain clinical and administrative records in accordance with professional standards, state guidelines, and school system policies.

Other Duties

• Attend regular classroom leadership meetings with Lead Teacher, Program Director, and transdisciplinary service team (weekly/monthly)
• Attend classroom clinical meetings at least twice per month.
• Attend, participate in, and develop/present staff development and training as appropriate.
• Attend IEP meetings, and participate in IEP and BIP development and implementation as needed.
• Attend student home visits if requested by Lead Teacher or Program Director
• Maintain inventory of school-wide OT materials.
• Discuss any equipment or material needs with Program Director to identify space in the budget.
• Provide legal and ethical supervision of COTA, assuming responsibility for the students served by assistant.
• Adhere to federal and state legislation, regulation, and policies that affect occupational therapy practice.
• Be a positive role model for students, families, and co-workers.
• Other duties as assigned by Program Director.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enab…