Irvine Unified School District

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

DEFINITION

Under the direction of the Department of Special Education, provides assessment, consultation to parents and teachers, and/or direct treatment for children with disabilities conditions from age 3 to 21 as part of a multi-disciplinary team; prepares records and reports; and performs related work as required.

LICENSE REQUIRED:

Possession of a valid and appropriate California driver's license. Proof of registration with the America Occupational Therapy Association.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Evaluates students using standardized tests, observation, and/or clinically derived surveys in areas including perceptual-motor skills, motor coordination, sensory development, and muscle strength.
• Collaborates with multi-disciplinary team members upon written referral.
• Devises a treatment program aimed at improving the identified areas of function, as they relate to the child's educational needs.
• Participates in the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meeting to develop/update goals and objective and is responsible for providing direct service and/or consultation in order to meet these goals.
• Maintains records and reports as required and for complying with IUSD, administrative policies, and state and federal laws and regulations.
• Attends meetings and conferences.
• Travels to different sites as required.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDE

Knowledge of:

• The intellectual sensory, and physical development of young children.
• Techniques used in the assessment and treatment of disabilities.
• The educational and developmental needs of young children with specific disabilities.
• Applicable treatment modalities and theory for the pediatric population.

Ability to:

• Make accurate assessments of the developmental status and educational needs of young children.
• Work collaboratively in multi-disciplinary teams.
• Work Collaboratively with parents
• Effectively communicate occupational therapy treatment techniques and goals to parents, teachers, and other program staff.
• Skillfully apply occupational therapy techniques in the treatment of children with disabilities.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing
• Work independently
• Establish general schedules and priorities
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

Requirements are registration with the American Occupational Therapy Association and a Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited university. Typical qualifying experience would include: work experience with school-aged children; experience working in a variety of settings including school, home, and clinic, and working as a member of a multi-disciplinary team. Training in sensory integration testing and techniques and experience working collaboratively with families are desirable.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be make to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to drawl; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance.

The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 75 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include peripheral vision and depth perception.

WORK ENVIRONMENT;

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Revised 9/98

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