POSITION TITLE	Occupational Therapist Assistant
SCHOOL/DEPARTMENT	Assigned school(s)
SALARY	Salary Grade 72
FLSA STATUS	Exempt
REPORTS TO	Principal, EC Director or EC Assistant Director, Supervising OT
SUPERVISES	None
WORK WEEK SCHEDULE	Monday - Friday
WORK HOURS	40
NUMBER OF MONTHS PER YEAR	10

 

POSITION PURPOSE:
The Occupational Therapist Assistant performs professional work providing interventions to eligible students in order to minimize the impact of their limitations on their educational and life pursuits. Their work involves providing interventions set forth by the supervising occupational therapist related to the students’ individualized educational program.  The employee is expected to initiate minor changes in the plan and make adaptations of equipment and therapeutic environment. Professional judgment and clinical knowledge are used to implement individualized programming based on occupational performance deficits in the areas of personal care, student role, interaction skills, process skills, play, community integration/work, and graphic communication. The Occupational Therapy assistant is also responsible for documenting treatment activities, documenting student progress, documentation for Medicaid/ Fee for Service billing for all eligible students, consulting with supervising occupational therapist(s), parents, classroom teachers and agency representatives

 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Thorough knowledge of principles, practices and procedures of specialty area
• Thorough knowledge of the principles and methodology of providing effective therapy for identified students
• Administers a variety of therapeutic activities to accomplish the planned improvement in functioning.
• Consults with therapist and school staff to schedule students for treatments
• Thorough knowledge of and adherence to legal procedures contained in federal and state statutes and regulations regarding the provision of services to students with disabilities, including IDEA, HIPPA, and FERPA laws and guidelines
• Thorough knowledge of human development throughout life span, integrated with students ‘unique developmental status
• Knowledge of occupational therapy principles and methodologies related to the provision of school-based intervention for children with special needs
• Thorough knowledge of anatomy, neuroanatomy, kinesiology, psychology and various medical diagnoses
• Thorough knowledge of normal and abnormal child development
• Thorough knowledge of departmental rules, regulations and procedures for delivering services
• Thorough knowledge of skill levels of the K-12 population
• Thorough knowledge of Individuals with Disabilities Educational Act (IDEA) and Individual Educational Plan (IEP) guidelines and procedures
• Thorough knowledge of the federal, state, local legislation, regulations, policies and procedures that mandate and guide occupational therapy practice in schools
• Thorough knowledge of school system and departmental rules, regulations, and procedures
• Ability to establish and maintain standards of behavior
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other staff, students and parents
• Ability to maintain a consistent schedule and travel between locations where students require services
• Ability to research and determine evidence-based practice supporting therapy interventions

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE

• Completion of an accredited educational curriculum for occupational therapist assistants and two years of experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.  Must be licensed as an occupational therapist assistant in North Carolina.
• Completed all fieldwork requirements
• Any equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the required combination of knowledge, skills and abilities

 

CERTIFICATION AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

• Initial Certification by national Board for Certification of Occupational Therapy
• Current license by the North Carolina Board of Occupational Therapy
• Must possess a valid driver’s license issued by the NC Department of Motor Vehicles

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Three (3) to five (5) years serving students in a public-school system

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Collaborate with supervising occupational therapist in collaboration with other disciplines to ensure team understanding of student occupational performance strengths and needs, educational program planning, and service delivery
• Implement occupationally based intervention plans based on student needs and evaluation results provided by the supervising Occupational therapist
• Participate in interdisciplinary meetings to review plans to achieve IEP goals
• Consult with school–based team to achieve student outcomes
• Coordinate with supervising Occupational therapist and provide classroom programs, instruction in management techniques, adapted equipment, and environmental modifications including the identification of architectural barrier
• Educate students, educational personnel, and families to facilitate skills in areas of occupation as well as health maintenance and safety
• Monitor the effects of occupational therapy intervention and the need to continue, modify, or discontinue intervention
• Document occupational therapy services to ensure accountability of service provision and to meet standards for reimbursement of services as appropriate
• Prioritize and schedule work tasks independently
• Manage inventory of therapeutic equipment and assessments checked out to the therapist and/or assigned school(s)
• Maintain clinical and administrative records in accordance with professional standards, state guidelines, and school system policy
• Submit accurate and timely caseload information to supervisor based on monthly, quarterly or semester reporting periods
• Log therapy services in electronic data management system for each session provided
• Teach, monitor, and collaborate with educational personnel, community agencies, parents and students to increase understanding of the student’s occupational performance.
• Participate in continuing education for professional development to ensure practice consistent with established best practice and NC licensure requirements
• Use the professional Code of Ethics and standards of practice to guide ethical decision- making in practice
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Director or Assistant Director for Exceptional Children

DISCLAIMER: The above statements are intended to describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this position. They are not intended to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and skills that may be required of the employees assigned to this position. This description may be revised by the supervisor, with HC review and approval, any time.