Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

About this Position
THRIVEs Occupational Therapists play a vital role in advancing the mission, vision, and values of our school. They are committed to the well-being and success of all students, providing targeted support to develop essential motor, sensory, and self-regulation skills. Our Occupational Therapists collaborate with educators, families, and community resources to ensure students receive the comprehensive support they need to fully engage in their learning environment. They assess students individual needs, develop and implement intervention plans, and equip them with strategies to enhance their independence and participation in daily school activities. With a deep belief in each students potential, they regularly monitor progress and adjust support strategies to promote meaningful growth and success.

Responsibilities

• Screen and/or evaluate students who have been referred to occupational therapy in the areas of fine motor performance, coordination, postural stability, perceptual motor performance, sensory processing and self-regulation and activities of daily living/functional skills (such as written productions and classroom tool use) with emphasis on present level of performance as related to academic functioning.
• Train special and general education staff, caregivers, and other team members on specific interventions.
• Consults and collaborates with teachers and other specialists regarding appropriate motor activities, self-help skills, sensory needs, adaptations, and special equipment or assistive devices as necessary.
• Implement educational plans as described on individual IEP and provide information for staff as needed.
• Provides monitoring, consultation, direct or indirect occupational therapy for selected students who are eligible for such services.
• Maintains close communication with classroom teachers, other staff and parents concerning students performance.
• Maintains accurate records of students evaluated and served in occupational therapy program; including assessment results, IEP progress and other documentation or reports as needed.
• Participates in designated team meetings, individual education plan conferences and periodic reviews involving assessment, programming and reevaluation decisions.
• Schedules occupational therapy evaluation and service times/locations with teachers and school leadership.
• Develops and provides formal and informal in-service programs for teachers and parents regarding occupational therapy.
• Maintain appropriate records and reports. Collect data on progress on goals and objectives for each student and meet all required timelines.
• Conduct assessments, comprehensive report results, and follow New Mexico state criteria in area(s) of special education eligibility as well as mandated timelines.
• Act as a liaison between school district and community agencies, doctors and hospitals as needed to provide collaborative occupational therapy services.
• Designs, orders or constructs adaptive equipment and assistive devices and other classroom
• support items.
• Participates in professional development by attending in-services, workshops, conferences and classes.
• Maintains close communication with the Director of Special Educational.
• Promotes school and community awareness of occupational therapy.
• Complies with School Board policies and all state/federal rules and regulations.
• Completes all district and state reporting requirements.

Qualification and Requirements

• Must be a licensed occupational therapist (OT)
• Experience in developing and implementing a variety of behavior strategies and interventions for effective programming, including functional behavioral assessments.
• Experience implementing strategies for improving social skills.
• Thorough knowledge of school rules, regulations and procedures; ability to establish and maintain standards of behavior.
• Ability to deliver and articulate oral presentations and written reports.
• Ability to effectively analyze needs and problems objectively.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with children, students, parents, staff, administration and the general public.
• Criminal background clearance
• Authorization to work in the United States

Salary Range
$68,250 - $81,450, depending on years of experience and licensure level.