Occupational Therapist -2026-2027 School Year

Qualifications:
1. Bachelor's degree
2. Ohio Department of Education Occupational Therapy License
3. Ohio Occupational Therapy Board License
4. Valid Driver's License
5. Prior school experience preferred 
 
General Description:              
 
The occupational therapist provides either direct services to students or serves as a consultant to monitor skills and development in regards to fine motor, writing, sensory, and self-help tasks.  The occupational therapist is responsible for assessment, planning, and goal development and for providing appropriate intervention services designed to enhance the student's potential for learning. The therapist assists the students in acquiring those functional performance skills needed to access, participate in, and benefit from the general education curriculum, and to help the student function independently across school environments.  The occupational therapist consults with school personnel to providing assistance to students in the classroom setting.  A collaborative, team approach, including teachers, specialists, administrators, and parents is emphasized.   
 
Essential Functions:
 

1. Carry out assessment and evaluation procedures for students with disabilities.
2. Plan and develop therapeutic intervention goals that are educationally relevant and will be used in student's educational programs.
3. Maintain professional, efficient, and accountable documentation that conforms to state and district policy, including maintenance of accurate and complete student records.
4. Communicate the results of evaluations, student progress, and reports of occupational therapy services to the educational staff, parents, students, and when appropriate, other professionals and agencies involved in the welfare of the student.
5. Monitor the occupational therapy program goals by teaching and supervising other professionals who are involved with the implementation of the intervention procedures.
6. Provide consultation to other educators regarding student and professional needs.
7. Assist students in the transfer of newly acquired skills to the classroom and home by working with students, their teachers, and parents in a supportive and collaborative manner.
8. Provide reassessments of students, focusing on areas of need, at intervals determined to be educationally relevant.
9. Participate as a team member in the transitioning of students into and out of educational and/or therapy programs.
10. Communicate the needs of the occupational therapy program to the appropriate supervising school administrator and the Executive Director of Pupil Services.  
11. Attend staffing and other school meetings when appropriate.
12. Demonstrate regular and predictable attendance.
13. Keep informed of current professional/subject area literature and curricular materials/resources available.
14. Serve on education-related committees.
15. Provide consultation services to school staff by acting as resource person for other educators regarding strategies, adaptations, and resource materials.
16. Facilitate in-service education and professional development for school staff.
17. Provide consultation to the school system regarding student needs, professional needs, and system needs in order for the system to achieve its goals and objectives.
18. Maintain an inventory list of equipment; accountable for proper care and use of therapy equipment.
19. Seek opportunities to improve skills and grow professionally; attend all required meetings and in-services.
20. Complete all additional duties, as assigned by Supervisor, Executive Director of Pupil Services, and Superintendent or his designee.  

 
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
 
Knowledge of board policies and procedures; supervision; evaluation team reports and individualized education programs; required reports and reporting procedures; inventories; requisitions; assessment, interpretation, and intervention; consultation; research-based practices and effective intervention strategies; state minimum standards; innovative programs and practices, the Operating Standards for Ohio's Schools Serving Children with Disabilities; FERPA and HIPPA regulations; Ohio's Academic Content Standards; current educational issues and best practices; community agencies that can support students with disabilities; and effective classroom management techniques           
 
Ability to interpret policies, procedures, and regulations; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; assess and evaluate; follow directions, maintain accurate records and files; prepare reports; develop IEPs; consult with and assist teachers, parents, administrators, and other school personnel; lift and carry up to 50 pounds; use technology as both a productivity tool and as a method of communication; apply problem solving processes and creative thinking skills to recognize student strengths and weaknesses; analyze and interpret assessment data; develop and maintain effective working relationships with students, co-workers, administrators, and general public; work with teachers and students to demonstrate ways of supporting students in the general education classroom; work and communicate effectively with students who have various cognitive and physical limitations; work with team to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate program progress and implement changes
 
Additional Working Conditions:
                                                                       

• The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.                                                                    
• While performing duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk, talk, or hear, and operate a computer and other technology devices. The employee must also be able to lift and handle students with severe physical limitations. In addition, the employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to fifty pounds.  Specific vision duties of this job include close vision, distance vision, and depth perception.                   
• The noise level in the work environment is relatively quiet but may escalate in group or event settings.
• The work environment may include exposure to disease and infections.
• The employee may be required to deal with students with behavioral risks.  
• This position may require local travel between district buildings and or community agencies.
• Potential for exposure to blood, bodily fluids, and tissue.
• May be required to operate a vehicle in inclement weather conditions.
• This position involves stress as a result of the responsibility to ensure that laws, regulations and procedural rules are followed, the responsibility of dealing with individual student concerns and maintaining student discipline, and the demands of maintaining effective communication with other staff members, students and parents.
• The employee shall remain free of any alcohol or non-prescribed controlled substance in the workplace throughout his/her employment with the district.
• The employee must complete a satisfactory background check.
• The employee shall have a valid driver's license or available transportation.

                                                                                         
This job description is subject to change and in no manner states or implies that these are the only duties and responsibilities to be performed by the employee. The employee will be required to follow the instructions and perform duties required by the employee's supervisor and/or Superintendent.