Occupational Therapist – $5,000 Signing Bonus

Title:   Occupational Therapist
Position Purpose
Rum River Special Education Co-op offers occupational therapy services to 5 districts: Princeton, Milaca, Braham, Isle, Ogilvie, and the Rum River Programs (setting 4 education programs). Work alongside the educational team to provide services across the districts. Travel time and mileage are reimbursed. The Occupational Therapist in the school setting supports the child’s abilities to perform in the educational environments with a focus on supporting student growth in academics, play and leisure, social participation, self-care skills (Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)), and transition/work skills. A combination of services is used to help meet the student’s needs although emphasis is placed on instructing others in the school so that interventions are incorporated naturally into the school routines, providing frequent practice and repetition. The OT’s expertise includes activity and environmental analysis and modification with the goal of reducing the barriers to participation.

Essential Functions
-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 student’s 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 22 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 unit meetings at RRSEC

• 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, RRSEC, 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

Additional Duties

• Performs other related tasks as assigned by the Executive Director of Special Education.

Travel Requirements

• Travels to school district buildings and professional meetings as required.

Supervision

• Reports to the Executive Director of Special Education

Physical and Mental Demands, Work Hazards

• Frequent computer use including long periods without a change in position

• Ability to lift up to 20 pounds frequently, up to 50 pounds occasionally, and up to 75 pounds rarely 

• Frequent kneeling, standing, walking, climbing stairs, reaching overhead, sitting (including sitting on the floor) and use of appropriate body mechanics for twisting and bending

• Several tasks and job duties involve a risk of exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens and other potentially infectious materials (OPIM)

• Travel within and occasionally outside of the RRSEC member districts

Qualifications Profile
Education & Training:

• Minimum: Bachelors, Masters Degree or Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from an Accredited

Licensure/Certification:

• Minimum: Current registration through National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT); current licensure as an Occupational Therapist in the state of Minnesota or ability to obtain

Personal Skills:

• Ability to work collaboratively on a team

• Organizational skills to manage multiple projects and prioritize demands

• A passion and willingness to learn and grow

• Strong oral and written communication skills

• Adaptability based on changing needs

• Solutions-focused problem-solving skills

• Strong coaching and consultation skills

• Critical consumer of research and evidence-based instructional strategies

• Adept in learning and using new technology

Experience:

• Preferred: Three or more years working in a related position

1.0 FTE, 183 days per contract – Flexible schedule with 183 contract days wtih a potential for summer hours for home visits.

Pay based on contract – offers Specialized Degree Lane Placement for those with a Masters or Doctoral Degree in OT.

Benefit eligible position: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, LTD, 403B, Mileage reimbursement, Flexible spending account, Health Saving Account