Occupational Therapist

General Statement of Job:

The Occupational Therapist (OT) is responsible for providing occupational therapy services to students enrolled in Lexington City Schools to support their academic, social, and functional participation in the educational environment. This position involves assessment, intervention, and consultation to enhance students' abilities to participate in school activities and promote independence in daily living skills.

Essential Job Functions:

• Conduct comprehensive evaluations of students' sensory, motor, and cognitive abilities to assess their functional performance in the school environment.
• Develop individualized treatment plans and goals based on assessment findings, in collaboration with students, parents, teachers, and other members of the educational team.
• Provide direct occupational therapy services to students, including therapeutic activities, exercises, and interventions to improve fine motor skills, visual-motor integration, sensory processing, self-care skills, and participation in classroom activities.
• Implement evidence-based interventions and strategies to address students' sensory processing difficulties, motor coordination challenges, and other occupational performance deficits.
• Collaborate with teachers and staff to integrate therapeutic strategies into the classroom environment and support students' access to the curriculum.
• Provide consultation and training to teachers, parents, and other school personnel on strategies for promoting student engagement, independence, and success in school activities.
• Participate in the development and implementation of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), including the identification of appropriate goals, accommodations, and supports for students with occupational therapy needs.
• Provide classroom programs, instruction in management techniques, adapted equipment, and environmental modifications including the identification of architectural barriers.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of student assessments, progress, and interventions in compliance with state and federal regulations.
• Stay current on research, trends, and best practices in the field of occupational therapy, and participate in professional development activities to enhance clinical skills and knowledge.
• Adhere to professional ethical standards and guidelines as outlined by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and state licensing board.
• May supervise occupational therapist assistant(s.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of principles, theories, and practices of occupational therapy, with a focus on pediatric populations.

• Understanding of child development, sensory processing, motor control, and learning theories relevant to school-based practice.

• Ability to assess and interpret assessment data to develop individualized intervention plans and goals.

• Proficiency in implementing a variety of therapeutic techniques and interventions to address sensory-motor, fine motor, visual-perceptual, and self-care skills.

• Strong communication and collaboration skills for working effectively with students, families, educators, and other professionals.

• Ability to adapt interventions and strategies to meet the diverse needs of students with varying abilities and backgrounds.

• Proficiency in documentation and record-keeping, including familiarity with electronic health records (EHR) systems.

• Flexibility and creativity in problem-solving and adapting interventions to support student success in diverse educational settings.

• Commitment to professional growth and lifelong learning in the field of occupational therapy.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited occupational therapy professional program recognized by NCBOT.
• Completed all fieldwork requirements.
• Certification by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).
• Experience working with children and adolescents in a pediatric or school-based setting.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license issued by the State of North Carolina.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited program.
• Previous experience working as an Occupational Therapist in a school setting, preferably in North Carolina.
• Training or certification in specialized areas such as sensory integration, assistive technology, or handwriting instruction.
• Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to support student needs across educational and community settings.

• Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, feeling, hearing, and repetitive motions.
• Must be able to exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 5 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• Must possess the visual acuity to operate machines and equipment including close inspection of moving and small parts, using measurement devices, assembly, and fabrication of parts, and to maintain records.
• Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Sedentary Work. Light Work usually requires walking or standing to a significant degree. However, if the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than for Sedentary Work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for Light Work.

DISCLAIMER:

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to this job.