DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:  This is professional work involving responsibility for occupational therapy casework in a program designed to meet therapeutic needs of selected individuals a school district setting. Responsibilities include evaluating, planning, and providing occupational therapy treatment to students in accordance with a referral from a physician or from a review committee. Progress is discussed with the program coordinator, teachers, and parents. Work is performed under general supervision of a higher-level administrator, doctor, or program coordinator. Supervision may be exercised over certified occupational therapy assistants and/or other staff. Performs related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:  (Illustrative only)

• Performs occupational therapy procedures, initial and annual evaluations, physical motor assessments and diagnostic tests on any individual who is considered a candidate for occupational therapy services, or for whom these have been medically prescribed;
• Implements pediatric occupational therapy and/or oversees activities implemented by therapy assistants, providing supervision and guidance as necessary;
• Develops school-based goals, treatment objectives and therapeutic activities and tasks to be incorporated into the student’s individualized education plan;
• Observes student’s/patient’s progress and reaction to the therapy program, and continually re-evaluates program when needed;
• Maintains treatment and therapy records, statistics, and written case notes, as required by school policy or state law;
• Maintains daily time sheets and Medicaid statistic sheets as appropriate;
• Completes appropriate IEP documents on all students involved in therapy, when assigned to a school district;
• Prepares reports and other documents, as needed;
• Instructs student/patient, faculty/staff and family in the dynamics of the program, so that all will comprehend the goals of therapy;
• Provides consultation to parents/guardians regarding the specific physical therapy techniques employed in the educational setting, which should be reinforced at home in order to maximize the functional ability of the student/patient;
• Communicates with physicians, teachers, classroom support staff, and other staff who have student contact to ascertain progress or additional needs;
• Develops home based programs where appropriate;
• Assesses and makes recommendations regarding adaptive and orthotic equipment needs and monitors equipment status;
• Interprets and translates into functional terms the therapy and/or medical reports received on students, in conjunction with the School Nurse (when assigned to a school district);
• Participates in curriculum development focusing on incorporating and maintaining the therapeutic perspectives necessary (when assigned to a school district;
• Conducts regular staff meetings with therapy assistants to review students’ needs and progress and to adjust goals and activities as necessary;
• May conduct training sessions for appropriate staff, to broaden basic knowledge of the physically disabled, and the environment around them;
• May instruct rehabilitation technicians, public health nurses, aides and other appropriate staff in physical therapy techniques;
• Performs a variety of related activities as required.

Typical Work Activities are intended only as illustrations of possible types of work that might be appropriately assigned to an incumbent of this title. Work activities that do not appear above are not excluded as appropriate work assignments, as long as they can be reasonably understood to be within the logical limits of the job.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:   Thorough knowledge of the methods, procedures, principles, and objectives of occupational therapy, especially as they apply to a pediatric caseload; good knowledge of human anatomy, kinesiology and physiology as they relate to the evaluation and treatment of patients receiving occupational therapy; working knowledge of the terminology and practices of modern social casework; working knowledge of basic physical and recreational activities; ability to supervise the work of others; ability to relate sympathetically to a potentially difficult client population; ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; organizational ability; enthusiasm; initiative; resourcefulness; patience; good judgment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Possession of license and current registration, issued by the New York State Education Department as an Occupational Therapist, are required at time of application, and must be maintained throughout employment.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:

Access to transportation may be required to complete possible field work assignments in a timely and efficient manner.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT FOR APPOINTMENT IN SCHOOL DISTRICTS:

In accordance with the Safe Schools Against Violence in Education (SAVE) legislation, Chapter 180 of the Laws of 2000, and by the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, candidates for appointment in school districts must obtain clearance for employment from the State Education Department prior to employment based upon a fingerprint and criminal history background check.

8/98; 07/05; 1/09; 4/21; 10/24

Competitive Class