Occupational Therapist: Various Campuses (23-24)

Mission Statement:
Uplift's mission is to create and sustain public schools of excellence that empower each student to reach their highest potential in college and the global marketplace and that inspire in students a life-long love of learning, achievement, and service in order to positively change their world.

Equity Vision Statement:
Uplift Education proactively engages scholars, families, and staff members to thrive as their authentic selves and partner in the journey required to identify, address, and correct existing and potential inequities.
     
Primary Purpose:
The Occupational Therapist will provide a variety of evaluation services for students to provide parents, teachers, administrators and other school personnel information regarding a students’ strengths and needs. The Occupational Therapist may also provide internship training and supervision of Occupational Therapist Assistant along with staff development as requested.
 
The Occupational Therapist will complete an array of fine motor and sensory evaluations to support scholars who receive Special Education services and enable them to access their educational environment. The Occupational Therapist will provide direct and consult services to students, parents, teachers, administrators, and other school personnel in the general and special education settings and may provide internship training and staff development as requested.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform all occupational therapy evaluations for students which include selecting and administering formal/informal evaluations to identify student eligibility for Special Education Related services according to federal and state regulations within timelines
• Contribute to Full and Individual Evaluation reports in accordance with state regulations and professional standards
• Collect and organize relevant evaluation data from student’s cumulative folder, classroom teachers, administrators, support-staff, parents and outside resources
• Attend ARD Committee meetings to interpret test results and assist in developing appropriate instructional strategies to meet students’ educational needs
• Analyze current data to write appropriate student IEP goals and objectives
• Assist in identifying professional development needs for Occupational Therapist Assistants
• Supervise Occupational Therapist Assistant when applicable
• Assist Occupational Therapist Assistant, classroom teachers and/or administrators with understanding the requirements for the implementation of IEP
• Review/accept evaluation reports for transfer students who receive Occupational Therapy services within the 30-school day timeline
• Demonstrate professional organizational skills that allow for efficient and expedient prioritization of tasks and projects
• Stay current in Special Education law and best practices
• Accept and offer team directions and feedback
• Exhibit professional demeanor and resourcefulness
• Communicate effectively with diverse groups
• Perform other duties as assigned such as SHARS billing and SHARS Supervisor approval for OT-A SHARS billing
• Plan and provide appropriate individual and group therapy to students consistent with Occupational Therapy goals and objectives contained in Individual Education Program (IEP)
• Implement appropriate IEP goals for individual students based on data including formal and informal Occupational Therapy assessments
• Document student progress and determine readiness for termination of therapy services
• Counsel and involve parents in remediation process
• Collaborate with classroom teachers to plan and implement classroom activities to improve fine motor/sensory skills of students
• Provide professional development in assigned schools to help school personnel identify and understand fine motor/sensory deficits in students
• Communicate effectively with colleagues, students, and parents regarding the accomplishment of therapy goals and needs of the student
• Create an environment conducive to learning and appropriate for the maturity level, interests, and needs of the student
• Compile, maintain and file all physical and computerized reports including ARD Committee meeting records and other documents required for compliance with state and federal statute and Special Education eligibility folders
• Comply with policies established by federal and state law, State Board of Education rule, local board policy and administrative regulations

 
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
 
May direct and monitor the work of occupational therapist assistant(s).
*Supervisors of licensed occupational therapist assistants must be licensed by the Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners (TBOTE).  A person with a TEA certificate who is not licensed may not be a supervisor of a licensed occupational therapist assistant.
 
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 enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor 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 (TBOTE)

 
REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Ability to use the accepted tests and measurements to assess fine motor/sensory skills
• Knowledge of evaluation, habilitation, and rehabilitation of fine motor/sensory disorders and conditions
• Knowledge of occupational therapy equipment, materials and procedures
• Knowledge of development of fine motor/sensory skills
• Knowledge of learning patterns in children
• Knowledge of adaptive equipment
• Ability to instruct and manage student behavior
• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills

 
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described below 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.
 
While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to sit and use the wrists, hands and/or fingers. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; climb or balance. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Work at a desk and computer screen for extended periods of time.
 
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment is representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The environment requires close proximity to other employees, frequent interruptions, extended periods of time viewing a computer screen, and noise levels from moderate to high.  There may be activity from other employees and students of a distracting nature. There may be times that travel between schools and/or District offices is required.

Starting Salary: $65,000

Application Procedure:
Apply online
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
Uplift Education is an equal employment opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any classification protected by federal, state or local law.