Occupational Therapist
Grand Forks Public School District
Grand Forks, ND
Full-time
Occupational Therapy
Posted on September 22, 2024
Overview:
As an Occupational Therapist (OT) in the Grand Forks Public Schools, you will play a crucial role in supporting the educational and developmental needs of students. You will work within a multidisciplinary team to assess, plan, and implement interventions that promote students' participation in school activities and enhance their overall well-being. Your expertise will be instrumental in addressing barriers to learning and fostering independence in students with diverse abilities and needs.
Responsibilities:
- Conduct comprehensive assessments to identify students' strengths, challenges, and individual needs related to motor skills, sensory processing, visual-perceptual skills, self-care, and activities of daily living.
- Administer standardized assessments and utilize clinical observation to gather data on students' functional abilities and limitations.
- Collaborate with teachers, parents, and other members of the educational team to gather information and develop a holistic understanding of students' needs.
- Develop individualized education plans (IEPs) and intervention goals based on assessment findings, educational objectives, and students' unique needs.
- Design and implement evidence-based interventions and therapeutic activities to address identified goals and support students' progress in academic and functional skills.
- Provide recommendations for environmental modifications, adaptive equipment, and assistive technology to facilitate students' participation and accessibility within the school environment.
- Collaborate closely with teachers, special education staff, administrators, and related service providers to ensure a coordinated approach to student support and intervention.
- Provide consultation and training to school staff on strategies for promoting sensory regulation, motor skill development, and inclusive practices within the classroom setting.
- Partner with parents/guardians to establish home-school connections and support carryover of therapeutic strategies and goals in the home environment.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of assessment results, intervention plans, progress notes, and communication with stakeholders in compliance with legal and professional standards.
- Regularly monitor and evaluate students' progress towards established goals, adjust intervention plans as needed, and communicate progress updates to the IEP team.
- Advocate for the inclusion of occupational therapy services as integral components of students' educational programs and support initiatives aimed at enhancing accessibility and equity in the school environment.
- Engage in ongoing professional development activities to stay abreast of best practices, emerging research, and trends in the field of pediatric occupational therapy.
Qualifications:
- Master's degree or higher in Occupational Therapy from an accredited program.
- State licensure or eligibility for licensure as an Occupational Therapist.
- Certification by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).
- Experience working with children and adolescents in educational or pediatric settings preferred.
- Strong interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills.
- Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team and independently manage caseload responsibilities.
- Commitment to diversity, inclusion, and culturally responsive practice.
- Knowledge of relevant laws, regulations, and ethical guidelines governing the provision of occupational therapy services in educational settings.
Work Environment and Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; occasionally walk and stand. The ability to hear and see in order to communicate effectively as well as communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; Maintain effective audio/visual discrimination and perception to the degree necessary for the successful performance of assigned duties; Maintain mental capacity, allowing for effective interaction and communication with others.
Occasionally may need to lift up to fifty (50); reaching, standing, walking, carrying, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, sitting, and/or crawling within the classroom.
The employee may encounter situations where students are physically aggressive and/or verbally abusive. This may require physical interaction (using strategies acquired through de-escalation and restraint training) between the employee and student. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The employee may be exposed to infection at a greater risk than the average person. May be directly responsible for the safety, well-being and/or output of students.
Terms of Employment: 188 days contract
Evaluation: By the Executive Director of Special Education at least twice each year in the first three years of service (December 15 & April 15), and at least once each year thereafter (April 15).
Current certified benefit information as well as the Teacher Negotiated agreement can be found at Human Resources
To find out why living and working in Greater Grand Forks is way cooler, check out www.GrandForksisCooler.com
As an Occupational Therapist (OT) in the Grand Forks Public Schools, you will play a crucial role in supporting the educational and developmental needs of students. You will work within a multidisciplinary team to assess, plan, and implement interventions that promote students' participation in school activities and enhance their overall well-being. Your expertise will be instrumental in addressing barriers to learning and fostering independence in students with diverse abilities and needs.
Responsibilities:
- Assessment and Evaluation:
- Conduct comprehensive assessments to identify students' strengths, challenges, and individual needs related to motor skills, sensory processing, visual-perceptual skills, self-care, and activities of daily living.
- Administer standardized assessments and utilize clinical observation to gather data on students' functional abilities and limitations.
- Collaborate with teachers, parents, and other members of the educational team to gather information and develop a holistic understanding of students' needs.
- Individualized Intervention Planning:
- Develop individualized education plans (IEPs) and intervention goals based on assessment findings, educational objectives, and students' unique needs.
- Design and implement evidence-based interventions and therapeutic activities to address identified goals and support students' progress in academic and functional skills.
- Provide recommendations for environmental modifications, adaptive equipment, and assistive technology to facilitate students' participation and accessibility within the school environment.
- Collaboration and Consultation:
- Collaborate closely with teachers, special education staff, administrators, and related service providers to ensure a coordinated approach to student support and intervention.
- Provide consultation and training to school staff on strategies for promoting sensory regulation, motor skill development, and inclusive practices within the classroom setting.
- Partner with parents/guardians to establish home-school connections and support carryover of therapeutic strategies and goals in the home environment.
- Documentation and Progress Monitoring:
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of assessment results, intervention plans, progress notes, and communication with stakeholders in compliance with legal and professional standards.
- Regularly monitor and evaluate students' progress towards established goals, adjust intervention plans as needed, and communicate progress updates to the IEP team.
- Advocacy and Professional Development:
- Advocate for the inclusion of occupational therapy services as integral components of students' educational programs and support initiatives aimed at enhancing accessibility and equity in the school environment.
- Engage in ongoing professional development activities to stay abreast of best practices, emerging research, and trends in the field of pediatric occupational therapy.
Qualifications:
- Master's degree or higher in Occupational Therapy from an accredited program.
- State licensure or eligibility for licensure as an Occupational Therapist.
- Certification by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).
- Experience working with children and adolescents in educational or pediatric settings preferred.
- Strong interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills.
- Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team and independently manage caseload responsibilities.
- Commitment to diversity, inclusion, and culturally responsive practice.
- Knowledge of relevant laws, regulations, and ethical guidelines governing the provision of occupational therapy services in educational settings.
Work Environment and Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; occasionally walk and stand. The ability to hear and see in order to communicate effectively as well as communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; Maintain effective audio/visual discrimination and perception to the degree necessary for the successful performance of assigned duties; Maintain mental capacity, allowing for effective interaction and communication with others.
Occasionally may need to lift up to fifty (50); reaching, standing, walking, carrying, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, sitting, and/or crawling within the classroom.
The employee may encounter situations where students are physically aggressive and/or verbally abusive. This may require physical interaction (using strategies acquired through de-escalation and restraint training) between the employee and student. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The employee may be exposed to infection at a greater risk than the average person. May be directly responsible for the safety, well-being and/or output of students.
Terms of Employment: 188 days contract
Evaluation: By the Executive Director of Special Education at least twice each year in the first three years of service (December 15 & April 15), and at least once each year thereafter (April 15).
Current certified benefit information as well as the Teacher Negotiated agreement can be found at Human Resources
To find out why living and working in Greater Grand Forks is way cooler, check out www.GrandForksisCooler.com
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