OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTDescription The Occupational Therapist will collaborate with other occupational therapists, related service providers, teachers, and families to ensure that students with fine motor disorders are identified and provided with the highest-quality occupational therapy to address their particular needs. This full-time, exempt, 10-month position reports to the Director of Special Education.
The Occupational Therapist's responsibilities include, but are not limited to: - Thoroughly assess and diagnose deficits in fine motor skills, sensory motor skills, sensory integration, visual motor and visual perceptual skills, and self-care skills;
- Conduct informal and formal screenings of students who are possible candidates for special education referral as identified by teachers and the Director of Student Support Services. Conduct triennial re-evaluations of students who receive occupational therapy. Produce well-organized written evaluation and screening reports;
- Participate in the development of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for students who qualify for occupational therapy as a related service. Create goals and objectives for students based on an assessment of current needs. Regularly assess students' IEP progress and communicate progress to families each quarter;
- Using knowledge of current research-based best practices, design and implement therapeutic programs for individual students and groups of students based on IEP goals and objectives either in the inclusive general education setting or in pull-out sessions. Track daily service provision in the student service database.;
- Collaborate with general education teachers, special education teachers, and other related service providers to identify instructional strategies and accommodations/modifications that promote student success in the inclusive general education classroom;
- Assist students, families, and staff in understanding students' deficits in fine motor skills, sensory motor skills, sensory integration, visual motor and visual perceptual skills, and self-care skills so that all can advocate for and support students' achievement of their academic, behavioral, language, and social goals. Refer families to outside organizations as appropriate;
- Provide occasional staff development for teachers in the areas of fine motor skills, sensory motor skills, sensory integration, visual motor and visual perceptual skills, and self-care skills;
- Work with the Director of Special Education to build a successful occupational therapy program in the school;
- Maintain the Occupational Therapy evaluation materials, therapeutic equipment, and supplies; and
- Engage in continuing education and professional growth activities related to occupational therapy in a school setting.
Starting Salary: $79,668-$96,184
You Have: - Licensure to provide occupational therapy services in Washington DC;
- Two or more years of experience working in an urban educational setting;
- Inner ability, stamina, and self-care strategies necessary to work with a high-needs population;
- Strong organizational and communication skills;
- Strong motivational interviewing skills;
- Proven ability to work as a member of a team;
- Commitment to meeting the needs of every child in a diverse population;
- Commitment to their own learning and professional development; and
- Strong collaborative capabilities.
We look forward to meeting you! Our hiring process consists of an online application, a one-way virtual interview, and a final panel interview with a lesson plan demonstration. Please see more here.
Spanish speakers and people of color are encouraged to apply.Location: Washington, DC
