Occupational Therapist - Special Education

JOB TITLE: Occupational TherapistREPORTS TO: Director- Special EducationMesa Public Schools is an award-winning district and voted Best Place to Work in Mesa. With over 9,000 employees, we are the largest school district in Arizona. Families have sent generations of students through our schools, as we are the premier educational choice in Arizona.Base Salary:$75,971.00Performance Pay:Available annuallyNew hire experience:$500 for each full-time year of certified teaching or verified like experienceNew hire education:$65/hour of graduate level credits: MA +60 hoursmax $1000 for advanced degrees (PhD. or Ed.D.)Class/Calendar:Certified Exempt, 191 workdaysBenefits: Vacation, sick leave, holidays, matched retirement, health, and life insuranceCandidates must complete an on-line application which requires appropriate Arizona certification, valid IVP Arizona fingerprint clearance card, evidence of highly qualified status, three letters of recommendation, and transcript of credits.OVERVIEW:To provide our students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to become life-long learners and responsible citizens by developing, planning, and implementing appropriate therapeutic programs for the students of the district QUALIFICATIONS:Must have graduated from an accredited university with a degree in Occupational Therapy and hold a current license from the Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners. Grandfather Clause for licensure is honored.Completion of six to nine months of supervised clinical affiliationsCurrent license with Arizona Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners requiredObtain and maintain a valid IVP Clearance CardHealth standards and hazards, safety practices and procedures, knowledge of medical and neurodevelopmental conditions commonly seen in a pediatric population, knowledge of various assessment materials for this population and knowledge of positioning devicesThe physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functionsAbility to exert 10-30 lbs of force, to lift, push, pull or otherwise move objectsKnowledge of and adheres to all policies, regulations and rulesDUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:Implements therapeutic activities to address deficits in the area/s of fine motor, visual motor, sensory motor, and visual perceptual as indicated on the IEPDirectly supervises COTA's and/or Fieldwork Students as per state licensure statutes.Administers, interprets, and writes up assessments in the areas of fine motor, visual motor, sensory motor and visual perceptual how these areas affect a student's academic performanceInstructs students, teachers, parents and other involved persons for the purpose of supporting the studentConsults with teachers, parents, other personnel and/or outside professionals for the purpose of providing requested information, developing plans (IEP) for services and/or making recommendationsParticipates in meetings, processes, etc. for the purpose of ensuring that state standards and/or federal mandates are achievedPrepares a wide variety of written materials (e.g. progress reports, daily treatment notes, Medicaid billing, student activities, correspondence, IEP's, etc.) for the purpose of documenting activities, providing written reference and/or conveying informationPresents information (e.g. student performance data, and clinical feedback, etc.) for the purpose of communicating information, gaining feedback and ensuring adherence to established internal controlsAssesses/recommends need for adaptive equipment and/or environmental modifications as needed for successful implementation of a student's functional goalsParticipates/facilitates in meetings, workshops, and seminars for the purpose of conveying and/or gathering information required to perform school-based functionsResearches resources and methods (e.g. intervention and treatment techniques, assessment tools and methods, community resources, etc.) for the purpose of determining the appropriate approach for addressing a student's functional goals.Responds to all internal and external customers, as it relates to job, in a prompt, efficient and patient mannerConducting evaluations, developing and implementing appropriate therapeutic programs for studentsReassessing and revising programs as necessary as student's status changesGathering therapeutic equipment and designs specialized equipment as neededPlanning and conducting in-service activities in the area of occupational therapyAccepting responsibility for students' well-being and safety while they are in employee's careAssisting in the maintenance of a quiet and orderly classroom environmentPerforming all duties in a safe and prudent manner as directed by supervisorsAN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY ORGANIZATION: The district does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex or gender, sexual orientation, disability, age or marital status.