Occupational Therapist (2024-25 Sy)

Position Type:
Student Support Services Certificated/Occupational Therapist
Date Posted:
12/12/2023
Location:
OPEN RECRUITMENT
Bargaining Unit: AEA
Work Year: 182 Days per year
This announcement is for open recruitment of Occupational Therapists and is intended to gather a pool of applicants. It is not an advertisement for a specific school site or position.
The successful candidate will receive an additional 6% increase on their annual salary.
Job Summary
Occupational therapists provide direct consultative and collaborative services to special education students ages 3 through 21 who need assistance with hand function, oral-motor function, sensory motor skills, and accessibility in order to be successful in the school environment. Occupational therapists work collaboratively in school-based teams to ensure each student barrier-free access to and participation in learning. This position reports to and is evaluated by Related Services.
This position requires a valid Alaska educator certificate. The number of work days is based upon the AEA negotiated pay scale. Information on the pay scale can be found online on our Labor Relations Department website. This position's grade level, content area taught, and work site may change dependent upon student enrollment and district staffing needs. Positions that are 0.50 FTE to 1.0 FTE are associated with the Alaska Teachers' Retirement System (TRS), positions that are 0.40 to 0.49 FTE are associated with the Alaska Employees' Retirement System (PERS). Positions that are 0.39 FTE or less are not eligible for state retirement benefits.
Job Requirements
The following are required:

1. A valid Alaska type C special services certificate with an endorsement in occupational therapy.
2. A valid Alaska license for the practice of occupational therapy.
3. A degree in occupational therapy from an accredited university recognized by AOTA or WFOT.

The following are preferred:

1. Evidence of experience working with special education students.
2. Experience working collaboratively to support the Individual Education Plan (IEP) needs of special education student(s) in a public school setting.
3. Experience or evidence of the ability to:
   1. Read, analyze, and interpret professional journals, district and department procedure manuals, and other written information.
   2. Write reports, treatment records, and IEP's.
   3. Effectively present information and respond to questions from parents, supervisor(s) and team members regarding issues related to occupational therapy.
   4. Speak clearly and concisely in written and oral communications.
   5. Understand and explain mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference in relation to standardized test scores.
   6. Stay current on "best practice" for the profession of OT, and to apply knowledge to current research and theory to therapy program.

Essential Job Functions

1. Performs evaluation of students, using standardized and non-standardized assessments and procedures to determine need for OT services in the educational setting.
2. Establishes appropriate functional, school-based goals for addressing student needs in the areas of fine motor, oral motor and self-care skills within the school environment.
3. Develops and implements therapeutic activities to assist special education students to access their educational program.
4. Reassesses treatment plans on an ongoing basis and modifies as needed.
5. Regularly collects and documents accurate data on OT goals and objectives.
6. Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with students, peers, parents, and community.
7. Provides consultation and collaborative services to teachers, paraprofessionals, and other staff.
8. Functions as a team member with special education and regular education staff for students served.
9. Acts as a liaison with school personnel, family, and private providers for issues related to OT in the school setting.
10. Attends and participates in staff meetings and department committees.
11. Efficiently uses technology to manage work tasks including record keeping, IEP development, communication, research and to enhance instruction.
12. Collaborates with regular education and special education staff to integrate therapy in regular education classroom as appropriate.
13. Maintains accurate and complete treatment files and IEP paperwork based on department, district, and state standards.
14. Documents services and completes required paperwork in a timely and efficient manner.
15. Functions within the state licensing standards.
16. Supervises, develops, and signs treatment plans for COTA staff, following state licensure guidelines.
17. Provides technical assistance and support for student equipment and environment adaptation and accommodations.
18. Safely lifts, maneuvers, and positions students and equipment for therapeutic practices.
19. Maintains and is accountable for therapy inventory and equipment.
20. Safely moves and transports needed therapy materials and equipment.
21. Efficiently organizes and schedules therapy at a variety of locations.
22. Provides own transportation and travel to multiple therapy sites.
23. Is responsible for setup, maintenance, and cleaning of treatment areas and OT equipment.
24. Modifies and/or constructs adaptive equipment for students and/or classroom use: adaptation, fabrication and repair of equipment and equipment ordering following departmental procedures.

Physical /Mental Demands
The physical demands of this job require frequent standing, walking, sitting, speaking and hearing. Specific visual abilities are also required. The employee is regularly required to reach with his/her hands and arms and occasionally lift items weighing less than 40 lbs. Additionally, the employee must be able to understand vague and implicit instructions, be able to readily recall facts and details, handle conflict and make effective decisions under pressure. The employee must have the ability to effectively manage the stress of working with students, parents, and other employees representing diverse cultures, personalities, and work styles in a dynamic work environment.
The Anchorage School District is committed to providing reasonable accommodations, according to applicable state and federal laws, to all individuals with a qualified physical or mental disability.
Work Environment
Work is performed in a professional environment with a wide variety of individuals having differing functions, personalities and abilities, including working with diverse groups of people in a variety of different settings.
While performing the duties of this job the employee may be regularly exposed to a video display. The employee may be exposed to outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Additional Job Information
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job related duties as requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments.
Anchorage School District (ASD) employees must possess the ability to read and write in English. This also includes the ability to communicate in English with school staff, co-workers, and the public; as well as have the ability to comprehend and carry out oral and written directions and understand and follow English instructions and written documents.
Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a satisfactory criminal background check. For certificated positions, this is in addition to the background check conducted through the certification process with the Alaska State Department of Education and Early Development (DEED).
This position may be required to work in ASD facilities on the military installations (JBER). Please visit the government REAL ID website for additional information.
The Anchorage School District is an equal employment opportunity employer.