PENN HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT

JOB DESCRIPTION

 

POSITION TITLE:              Occupational Therapist

 

POSITION SUMMARY:    The Certified Occupational Therapist provides occupational therapy and procedures, develops treatment plans, carries out routine function, directs activity programs, and documents the progress of treatment for students who qualify for the service. The Certified Occupational Therapist is responsible for implementation of school based occupational therapy programs.

 

REPORTS TO: Building Principal and Dir. of Special Education

 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Attend, participate in, and/or review information to discuss results of required evaluations and IEP reports
• Verify student information by interviewing parent and/or recording medical history, confirming purpose of treatment
• Design devices or environments that improve the student’s quality of life by helping them compensate for their limitations.
• Follow treatment plan by teaching techniques for activities for daily living
• Implement individual, group, classroom, consultative services as appropriate to meet the needs of students in their educational programs
• Schedule students effectively, efficiently to receive occupational therapy services
• Utilize best practices, evidence-based research, and appropriate materials to implement therapeutic services
• Maintain working student files in accordance with department procedures
• Completed all documentation within required timelines
• Prepare and complete ACCESS billing for eligible students
• Monitor and document student progress based on data collection information
• Submit current treatment schedules and updates as needed to administration
• Ensure and maintain student confidentiality and protect student data in accordance with HIPAA/FERPA regulations and District policy
• Assists in the development and modification of individualized, goal directed client treatment plans
• Conducts effective and safe client treatment sessions using prescribed treatment plan, including client/family educational programs
• Completes appropriate medical chary and departmental activity documentation including monthly statistics
• Contributes to the occupational therapy client evaluation process by completing structured evaluations
• Completes written documentation of client progress and related medical record information according to District guidelines
• Assess the school environment to determine what adjustments are needed
• Advise on adaptive equipment is needed to assist the student with daily activities
• Comply with federal, state, and local certification requirements
• Other general or specific duties as assigned by the Director of Special Education and/or Assistant Superintendent

MARGINAL FUNCTIONS

• Contributes to the supervision= of occupational therapy students, aides, or volunteers
• Provides coverage for other facilities when appropriate
• Demonstrate professional development through continuing education programs and by the expansion of responsibilities
• Attend staff meetings, in-services, and serve on staff committees as required

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENTS

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

 

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

1. Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy
2. Valid PA Occupational Therapist License

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Reliable ability to travel to the location of the student requiring service
2. Advanced skills in the sue of Microsoft Office Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook
3. Current FBI, child abuse and criminal clearances (Act 114, 34, 151)
4. Productive and organized time management skills
5. Demonstrates effective verbal and written communication skills when relating to occupational therapy activities

The physical demands describe here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

1. Standing – The amount of time an occupational therapist is required to stand depends o n his/her schedule on any given day. On average, standing is performed approximately 35-45% of the workday, intermittent with walking and standing. The amount of continual standing is at the worker’s discretion. Standing occurs generally on carpeted or tiled surface, while performing the majority of job functions describe above.
2. Walking – The amount of walking required of an occupational therapist also depends on his/her schedule for any given day on average, walking is performed approximately 35-45% of the workdays, intermittent withstanding and sitting. Walking occurs on carpeted or tiled surfaces while traveling from one area of the school to another or from one building to another. The amount of continual walking is at the discretion of the worker.
3. Sitting – Sitting performed approximately 15-25% of the workday while assisting and working with students or completing paperwork. Sitting can occur in a variety of chairs from office chair to student’s chair, or on a floor or table. The amount of continual sitting is at the discretion of the worker. Once again, the amount of time sitting depends on the occupational therapist’s schedule on any given day. Sitting is performed intermittently withstanding and walking.
4. Lifting – Lifting small students up to approximately 50 pounds occurs on a frequent basis (34-66%). The worker may be required to lift a heavier student with the assistance of other workers. Supplies and equipment weighing up to approximately 20 pounds is also required on a frequent basis. Lifting occurs at all levels.
5. Carrying – The above-mentioned supplies are carried up to approximately 30-50 feet, frequently (34-66%) throughout the day. Items are carried to and from the worker’s care and to different buildings. A wheeled cart is available to transport equipment and supplies, if needed.
6. Pushing/Pulling – The occupational therapist is required to push/pull on a frequent basis (34-67%). Pushing/pulling occurs while pushing wheelchairs, assistive technology devices, wheeled carts, as well as opening and closing drawers and doors.
7. Climbing – Climbing is required on a frequent basis (34-66%)- while traveling up and down stairs. Each school building varies about the number of floors. Elevators are available some of the school buildings, however not all of them.
8. Balancing – Balancing occurs on a frequent basis (34-66%) throughout the day while lifting and walking up and down stairs.
9. Stooping (Bending at Waist) – Stooping is performing on a frequent basis (34-66%) while interacting with and assisting students
10. Kneeling – Kneeling is performed on a frequent basis (34-66%) while or while interacting with and assisting students.
11. Crouching (Bending at Knees and Waist) – Crouching is also performed on a frequent basis (34-66%) while performing the above stated job functions.
12. Crawling – Crawling occurs on an occasional basis (11-3%) while working with the younger students.
13. Twisting/Turning – Twisting is performed constantly (67-100%) while performing all job duties described above. Reaching occurs at all levels.
14. Reaching – Reaching is performed on a frequent basis (67-100%) while performing all job duties described above. Reaching occurs at all levels.
15. Handling/Dexterity – Both fine manipulation and a moderate gross grasp are required to perform the typical functions of an occupational therapist.

MECHANICAL ABILITIES

Essential Equipment                                                                    Marginal Equipment

Computer, printer, assistive technology devices                              None

and equipment

 

Essential Tools                                                                              Marginal Tools

Small tools (screwdriver, etc.) testing and                                       None

assessment materials, occupational therapy

equipment

 

Essential Vehicles                                                                         Marginal Vehicles

Personal vehicle                                                                           None

ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES

1. Inside: 95% Outside: 5%
2. Extreme Cold: NA Extreme Heat: NA
3. Extreme Humidity: NA Extreme Dryness: NA
4. Extreme Noise: NA Extreme Quiet: NA
5. Dust: NA Odors: NA       Fumes/Gas: NA             Chemicals: NA

VISION REQUIREMENTS

1. Close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less)
2. Distant vision (clear vision at 20 feet or more)
3. Color vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors)
4. Peripheral vision (ability to observe an area that can be seen up and down or to the left and right while the eyes are fixed on a given point)
5. Depth Perception (three-dimensional vision, ability to judge distances and special relationships)
6. Ability to adjust focus

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement

 

EVALUATION

Performance evaluation by appropriate certified supervisor in accordance with the procedures approved by the Board of School Directors in policy and agreement