Educational Occupational Therapist (222 work days/year)

Job Description:

Educational Occupational Therapist (222 work days/year)

Description

Basic Function and Representative Duties

THIS IS A PART-TIME .40 FTE POSITION

BASIC FUNCTION:

Serve as a member of the multidisciplinary team serving the needs of special education children and their families; provide assessment and direct services related to sensory-motor development and other identified developmental needs; provide direct and consultative occupational therapy services based upon needs determined through established processes; develop Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) for students.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Serve as a member of the multidisciplinary team serving the needs of special education children and their families; provide assessment and direct services related to sensory-motor development and other identified developmental needs; provide consultation parents and teachers

• Conduct developmental and formal assessments and participate as a team member to determine program eligibility; assess student abilities in the areas of fine motor, visual motor, visual perceptual, self-care/activities of daily living, sensory processing, self-regulation, motor planning, organization of behavior, social play, postural stability, feeding, and environmental adaptations/assistive devices; evaluate needs and progress toward goals as needed; determine appropriate assessment to be given; score and interpret results and write an assessment report

• Collaborate with IEP team members to develop IEPs through meetings, e-mail, phone and in person communication; draft IEPs for students; determine and recommend frequency of services, eligibility, goals, objectives, accommodations/modifications, testing accommodations, and related services and needs of identified students

• Provide education, training and support to families related to student programming needs; recommend, design, create or order adaptive equipment, tools and special toys; demonstrate use of adaptive equipment

• Plan and prepare for therapy sessions; provide direct therapy services to students individually and in groups; develop projects, clean and maintain equipment, and set up and break down therapy equipment; maintain records of therapy sessions to document intervention and monitor student progress

• Manage caseload and new referrals including collecting assessment reports, developing evaluation plans, monitoring changes with student goals throughout the school year, and related data; prepare and maintain a variety of forms, files, reports, records, logs and reports

• Conduct formal assistive technology assessments and participate as a team member to determine need for services and implementation; provide assistive technology services to students

• Request and purchase assistive technology equipment such as purchasing adaptive equipment, computers, adaptive computer hardware, specialized software and other equipment as needed

• Create curriculum adaptations using specialized software to assist students in producing written work, communication and accessibility to curriculum materials

• Attend various meetings and schedule meetings and other appointments; provide information and coordinate professional and community resources with other staff and related organizations

• Train and provide work direction to assigned staff; provide in-service instruction or training for teachers, instructional assistants and parents to support implementation of goals and objectives of the program; train staff to use assistive technology

• Serve as liaison with medical community and other service providers such as California Children Services

• Drive a vehicle to various school sites and various District offices to conduct work

• Supervise assigned Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants

OTHER DUTIES:

Perform related duties as assigned

Knowledge and Abilities

KNOWLEDGE OF:

Child development and developmental disabilities, diagnosis and syndromes and applicable treatment and techniques

Motor and reflex development

Assistive technology

Adaptive equipment

Medical, educational and other community resources and agencies

Appropriate instructional materials for students

Record-keeping techniques

Computer and iPad access for students with physical challenges and learning disabilities

Specialized adaptive hardware such as adaptive keyboards, touch monitors, switch interfaces, types of switches, switch mounts, and head mouse trackers

Software and applications to promote reading, writing and math skills such as word prediction software, text to speech software, organizational software, multi-media and design software, and speech recognition software

Software and websites to assist students with reading and accessing curriculum

Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary

Policies and objectives of assigned program and activities

Applicable sections of the State Education Code and other applicable laws

Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy

Health and safety regulations

Proper lifting techniques

Technical aspects of field of specialty

ABILITY TO:

Observe and assess fine and gross motor development, perceptual development, self-help, oral motor development and sensory processing

Develop and conduct sensory-motor focused interventions

Communicate effectively both orally and in writing with students, parents, staff, and other community agencies regarding technical information

Develop and implement IEPs and appropriate treatment plans

Use specialized software to create and adapt curriculum and assist students with reading, communication and written productions

Teach students, teachers and instructional assistants to use computer hardware adaptations and specialized software adaptations

Develop and conduct parent interviews

Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others

Maintain records and prepare reports

Operate a computer to enter data, maintain records and generate reports

Learn department and program objectives and goals

Maintain current knowledge of technical advances in the field

Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action

Plan and organize work

Meet schedules and time lines

Education, Experience and Other Requirements

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Any combination equivalent to: master's degree in occupational therapy and two years of school-based occupational therapy experience including experience in the IEP process.

LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

Registration by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy

California Occupational Therapy license issued by the California Board of Occupational Therapy

Successful completion of the National Occupational Therapy Registration Examination

Valid First Aid and CPR certifications issued by an authorized agency preferred

Valid California driver's license

Some incumbents in this classification may be required to speak, read and write in a designated second language

Working Conditions and Additional Information

WORKING CONDITIONS:

ENVIRONMENT:

Indoor and outdoor work environment

Driving a vehicle to conduct work

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate therapy equipment and a computer keyboard

Reaching overhead, above the shoulders and horizontally to utilize therapy equipment

Sitting or standing for extended periods of time while working with students

Bending at the waist, kneeling or crouching to assist students

Hearing and speaking to exchange information

Carrying, pushing or pulling wheelchairs, mobility toys and other equipment

Lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling up to 50 pounds

Assessments may consist of a written, oral and/or performance examinations.

FIRST EXAMINATION: 50%

SECOND EXAMINATION: 50%

Qualified candidates will be notified of the minimum passing points for each examination part. Qualified Applicants will be notified of the date, time, and place of the Examinations.

OTHER: Proof of identification for completion of Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, must be submitted at the time of processing for employment.

SALARIES: All salaries as stated are based on present information and are subject to change. Appointments are made at the minimum salary shown in the posting and increases are granted at intervals based on anniversary date.

NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT

In accordance with the provisions of Sections 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, California's Fair Employment and Housing Act, Education Code Section 220, and Berkeley Unified School District Policy, no qualified person shall, on the basis of race, ethnicity, ancestry, color, national origin, religion, actual or perceived sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, handicap, age or sexual orientation, or on the basis of a person's association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity in the Berkeley Unified School District. The Board prohibits unlawful discrimination against and/or harassment of district employees and job applicants on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, ancestry, religious creed, age, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, sex, gender, sexual orientation, at any district site and/or activity. The Board also prohibits retaliation against any district employee or job applicant who complains, testifies or in any way participates in the district's complaint procedures instituted pursuant to this policy."

If there are questions concerning Section 504 or disability accommodations for job applicants/employees under the ADA, please contact the Office of Human Resources, Berkeley Unified School District. If there are questions concerning discrimination on the basis of sex or any of the other classifications noted above, please contact the Title IX Coordinator at (510) 486-9338.

SALARIES: All salaries as stated are based on present information and are subject to change. Appointments are made at the minimum salary shown and increases are granted at intervals based on satisfactory service.

BENEFITS: Health plans provide for full coverage for employees and family in the area of medical and dental insurance to a negotiated maximum. All employees who work an average regular assignment of less than 5-1/2 hours a day (.72 FTE or less) shall be entitled to health insurance coverage and dental insurance coverage on a pro-rated basis. This position is covered by Social Security and may be eligible for California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), with joint employee and employer paid contributions. Current members of CalPERS working in other California state, county, city, and school districts can transfer retirement service credit to the District. All employees are enrolled in an Employee Assistant Program (EAP). The District also offers various optional benefits including life insurance, short term disability, Vision Service Plan (VSP), and a medical and dependent care flexible spending option.

VACATION: Classified Management (Local 21) District employees shall accrue vacation as follows:

twenty-seven (27) working days per year.

HOLIDAYS: Annual employees receive seventeen (17) paid holidays per year:

Independence Day

Labor Day

Veterans' Day

Thanksgiving Holiday (3 Days)

Winter Board Holiday (3 Days)

New Year's Holiday (2 Days)

Martin Luther King's Birthday

Lincoln's Birthday

Washington's Birthday

Spring Board Holiday

Malcolm X's Birthday

Memorial Day

School Year employees may receive sixteen (16) paid holidays, including all of the above except Independence Day (4th of July).

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Classified employees may also participate in professional development activities to enhance their careers.

HEALTH AND CHARACTER INVESTIGATIONS:

Candidates selected for appointment may be required to pass a medical examination given by a Commission-designated physician to determine physical fitness for District employment. The Commission may disqualify any eligible candidates on the basis of the examining physician's report. The District also conducts a fingerprinting background check for all potential candidates for hire. All convictions must be declared and explained on the application; failure to do so will automatically disqualify the application. Tuberculosis tests must be completed and a negative result must be supplied prior to beginning work.

Closing Date/Time: Continuous

Salary:

$51.86 - $63.13 Hourly