Occupational Therapist Assistant

CRAVEN COUNTY SCHOOLS

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position: Occupational Therapist Assistant
Reports to: Director of Accountability & Exceptional Children/Principal
Terms of Employment: 10 months full time

Pay Grade: 67
FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Nature of Work:
An employee in this class assists in the process of screening and evaluation and the development and implementation of intervention services under the supervision of a licensed occupational therapist. The occupational therapy assistant works with students identified with or suspected of having disabilities that interfere with their ability to perform daily life activities and participate in necessary and desired occupations. The assistant is expected to implement individually designed interventions based on occupational performance deficits in the areas of personal care student role/interaction skills process skills play community integration/work and graphic communication. The interventions are planned with the supervising occupational therapist. The occupational therapy assistant is expected to review outcomes and modify intervention programs in coordination with the supervising occupational therapist. Errors in service could result in serious harm to students and potential liability for the school system the supervising occupational therapist and the assistant. The supervising occupational therapist defines the level of supervision required in the work environment based on recommendations by The North Carolina Board of Occupational Therapy.

Education and Experience:
Successful completion and graduation from an accredited associates degree Occupational Therapy Assistant program recognized by NBCOT and completion of all fieldwork requirements
Two years of experience as an occupational therapy assistant preferably in pediatrics

Certification and Licensure Requirements (if applicable):
Initial certification as an occupational therapist assistant by the National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)
Current license as an occupational therapist assistant by the North Carolina Board of Occupational Therapy


Essential Functions/Typical Tasks:
May contribute to the occupational therapists evaluation of students abilities through a variety of functional behavioral and standardized assessments data collection checklists and interviews with 45 NCDPI EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN DIVISION OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY GUIDELINES family student and educational personnel and observations once competency has been demonstrated
May contribute to the occupational therapists development of individualized intervention plans
Based on the intervention plan selects and implements therapeutic interventions to enhance student performance in areas of occupation safety and social participation within the school environment
Based on the intervention plan modifies environment including equipment materials devices and adapts processes including the application of ergonomic principles
Explains intervention techniques to student parents and educational personnel
Continuously monitors through observation and consultation student progress and the effect of intervention and need for continuation modification or termination. Communicates this information to the occupational therapist
Documents occupational therapy intervention services and maintains administrative records in accordance with state guidelines school policy and reimbursement standards
Participates in multi-disciplinary team meetings to communicate student progress
Maintains inventory of therapeutic equipment and projects needs for budget planning
Maintains organizes and prioritizes workload and treatment environments including inventories.
Uses professional literature to make informed practice decisions
Uses good time management skills

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of basic features of main occupational therapy theories models of practice principles and evidence-based practice
General knowledge of human development throughout the life span
Ability to articulate the role of the occupational therapy assistant and the occupational therapist in the evaluation intervention planning intervention process
Ability to articulate difference between occupation and activity
Ability to analyze tasks relative to areas of occupation performance skills activity demands context (s) and student factors to implement the intervention plan
Ability to recognize occupational performance deficits in the areas of personal care student role/interactive skills process skills play community integration/work and graphic communication
Ability to articulate the influence of socio-cultural socioeconomic and diversity factors on student occupational performance
General knowledge of the federal state local legislation regulations policies and procedures that mandate and affect school-based occupational therapy services
Skill in gathering screening and evaluation data completing checklists histories and interviews
Ability to select adapt and sequence relevant occupations and purposeful activities that support intervention goals
Ability to provide occupationally based interventions to achieve student participation in school environment
Skill in effective oral and written communication
Ability to maintain safe environments equipment and materials
Ability to prepare and maintain accurate records and progress notes

Physical Requirements:
Must pass and qualify for work in Pre-K (NCDHHS Background Check)
Must be physically able to operate a variety of equipment and tools including computer software computer hardware cables etc
Must be able to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 5 pounds of force frequently and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects
Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Sedentary Work
Light Work usually requires walking or standing to a significant degree
However if the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for Sedentary Work and the worker sits most of the time the job is rated for Light Work

Special Requirements:
Initial certification as an occupational therapist assistant by the National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)
Current license as an occupational therapist assistant by the North Carolina Board of Occupational Therapy

*In compliance with Federal Law Craven County Schools administers all education programs employment activities and admissions without discrimination against any person on the basis of sex race color religion national origin age or disability.

Required Experience:

Junior IC