East Central

Occupational Therapist – 0.5 FTE

Position Purpose 
School-based occupational therapists (OTs) use meaningful activities (occupations) to help children and youth participate in the educational activities they need and/or want to do in order to promote physical and mental health and well-being. Using a collaborative model, school-based occupational therapy addresses the physical, cognitive, psychosocial and sensory components of performance. OTs focus on supporting student growth in academics, play and leisure, social participation, self-care skills (Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)), and transition/work skills. The OT’s expertise includes activity and environmental analysis and modification with a goal of reducing the barriers to participation. Occupational therapy is provided through a collaborative model in schools.

Essential Duties

• Identification, Screening and Evaluation
  • Conduct in-home evaluations and assessments of infants and toddlers, ages birth to three, as deemed appropriate by screening results, medical records or evaluation team decisions
  • Complete informal screening of students whose parents or teachers express concerns regarding a student’s fine motor, sensory, functional or self-regulation needs
  • Conduct school-based evaluations for students ages three through 21 suspected of having disabilities as well as those with disabilities who are currently receiving special education and related services
  • Facilitate procurement and review of appropriate medical records, as applicable
  • Interpret results of motor assessments to determine the effect of fine motor impairments and/or sensory or self-regulation deficits on a students’ ability to learn and access the educational setting
  • Complete relevant portions of evaluation summary reports, including the documentation of evaluation results and present levels, the identification of educational needs, and, when appropriate, additions and modifications necessary to promote adequate progress and access to the general curriculum
• Service Delivery
  • Develop therapeutic strategies and accommodations specific to the student’s needs
  • Facilitate accommodations and modifications to educational materials, assistive technology, and the instructional environment
  • Incorporate self-regulation strategies to promote readiness for learning
  • Provide direct and indirect OT services to infants and toddlers, ages birth to three, in home setting throughout the calendar year
  • Provide direct and indirect OT services to students ages three through 21 throughout the school year
  • Assist in gathering accurate and timely data related to student progress, regularly review student progress, and assist in making instructional changes when necessary to allow students to make adequate progress and have meaningful and appropriate access to the general curriculum
  • Maintain proper documentation of service, in accordance with state and federal requirements
• Curriculum and Instruction
  • Provide input on curriculum and instruction development, selection, and implementation as requested
  • Assist in the development and procurement of accessible instructional materials, as needed
• Consultation and Collaboration
  • Assist in Individualized Education Program (IEP) planning for students with physical disabilities, differences in sensory awareness, and adaptive/functional needs, including attending IEP meetings, providing input on IEP goals related to Occupational Therapy service, and determining appropriate accommodations, modifications, and supports
  • Collaborate on the development of Personal Care Assistant (PCA) Plans of Care for students covered under the Minnesota Health Care Program (MHCP) who require school-based PCA support for Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
  • Participate in planning and procedural committee meetings at SCRED
  • Advise on the selection of specialized equipment and instructional materials/supplies when the need for Assistive Technology (AT) is identified
  • Monitor the use of necessary equipment to ensure proper functioning as well as consistency and fidelity of use
• Professional Learning
  • Provide ongoing training to educational teams, including the initial training and ongoing monitoring of the use and care of specialized equipment, curriculum materials, self-regulation, and motor strategies, and environmental modifications
  • Provide required training and supervision of PCAs providing school-based ADL services to students covered under MHCP
  • Facilitate professional learning in areas of expertise to individual student teams, parents, and SCRED and member district staff or other service providers, as requested
  • Develop resources pertinent to occupational therapy services when the need for such resources is identified
  • Actively participate in the regional OT community of practice (COP) as well as other relevant state or regional professional learning opportunities
• Other Duties
  • Perform other duties as assigned