Occupational Therapist

PURPOSE:
To provide support to the individual schools implementing a system of screening and intervention services.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Graduate of an accredited occupational therapy program.
2. Valid license from New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Department Occupational Therapist.
3. Valid Occupational Therapist License from NMPED.
4. Minimum Level 2 Licensure or Level 3 Licensure (Level 3 Preferred) .
5. Comply with the state approved Code of Ethics of the Education Profession and uphold and enforce department/unit rules, administrative directives and regulations, Board Policy, and State and Federal regulations.
6. Determines the neurological, developmental, and neurodevelopmental strengths and needs of the child on an initial ongoing basis so that appropriate services can be provided. In determining strengths and needs, a combination of the following may be used:
a. Utilization of formal and informal neurological, developmental, and neurodevelopment evaluation and/or assessment tools as appropriate to the child.
b. Observation and interpretation of child skills and progress.
c. Participation in the development of an Individual Educational Plan and/or updates of the Plan.
d. Involvement of family in all phases of occupational therapy including assessment and planning, as appropriate.
e. Collaboration with Individualized Educational Plan team members, and other programs or agencies working with the child of the family with a written release from the parent(s), as appropriate
7. Provides occupational therapy services as specified on the Individualized Educational Plan.
8. Facilitates learning and growth in the child's teachers, and his or her family, through teaching and demonstration of therapy strategies and activities which fit naturally into the routine of the child's teachers, his or her family, and their manner of interaction with the child.
9. Conducts occupational therapy in a series of well-planned steps, modeling skills, and conveying information to the child's teachers, his or her family, the Individualized Educational Plan team members, and others, as appropriate.
10. Observes the child and family's right to confidentiality. Does not discuss any information about the child or family unless the parent or guardian has signed a release of information.
11. Follows Las Vegas City Schools Policies and Procedures.
12. Perform other tasks as deemed appropriate and necessary by the administrator.
13. Attend board meetings at the request of the Superintendent.
WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Experience providing occupational therapy to school age children, and their families.
SKILLS NEEDED: Diagnostic and therapeutic abilities. Excellent communication skills.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. In the sections that follow, the frequency categories are defined as follows:
Occasionally= 1 to 33% of the normal workday or class of actions.
Frequently= 34 to 66% of the normal workday or class of actions.
Continuously = 67 to I 00% of normal workday or class of actions.
A. WORKING POSITIONS, POSTURES AND SKILLS:

1. Sitting, Standing, Walking are occasional but necessary conditions of employment as needed to perform work at work stations and moving within and among work sites as well as to working on the floor during therapy.
2. Bend/Squat/Stoop/Twisting of Torso are occasional but necessary conditions of employment as needed to perform work tasks and work during therapy.
3. Reach out and up is an occasional but necessary condition of employment as needed to use equipment and technology and work during therapy.
4. Grasping, manipulating, and other Motor Skills are continuous but necessary conditions of employment as needed to use equipment and work during therapy.
5. Head, Neck Movement and Small Muscle Flexibility are continuous and necessary conditions of employment as needed to do written work and handle technology.
6. Vision and Speech are continuous and necessary conditions of employment as needed to read and communicate information ideas.
7. Quick reaction and response are occasional but necessary conditions of employment as needed to ...

SEE FULL JOB DESCRIPTION AT: