POSITION SUMMARY

Occupational Therapists (OTs)/ Physical Therapists (PT) in the educational setting are responsible for providing appropriate occupational therapy intervention services designed to enhance students' potential for learning. They assist students in acquiring those functional performance skills needed to participate in, and benefit from, the educational environment, and to help students function independently. Occupational therapists work to improve, develop, restore, and/or maintain a child’s active participation, self-maintenance, work, and leisure/play in educational environments. Their role includes assessment and planning, goal development, implementation, and monitoring for students receiving special education. Occupational therapists are considered 'related-service' personnel, as is consistent with state and federal law.

Essential functions of these positions may include:

• Conducting appropriate evaluation procedures for students with special needs and communicating the results/recommendations to educational staff and families verbally and through written reports.
• Providing re-evaluation of students focusing on areas of need at intervals determined to be educationally relevant.
• Participating in meetings as a member of the interdisciplinary team.
• Participating in the development of Individual Education Plans, Individual Family Service Plans, or Individual Interagency Intervention Plans for children found to have special education needs.
• Completing documentation that is professional, efficient, and accountable and conforms to state and district policy.
• Providing direct and indirect occupational therapy to children in educational environments.
• Supervising Occupational Therapist Assistants/ Physical Therapy Assistants.
• Training and monitoring educational staff that carry out indirect therapy programs.
• Providing consultation to the educational system regarding student needs, professional needs, and system needs in order that the District may achieve its goals and objectives.
• Collaborating with other school personnel and families regarding occupational/physical therapy and children's needs.
• Promoting occupational/Physical therapy in the larger community.
• Traveling to and among schools or community sites to provide services.
• Lifting, transferring, and positioning children and equipment as necessary to provide occupational/ physical therapy.
• Working within case manager systems where relevant.
• Maintaining and being accountable for the therapy inventory and equipment used with students.
• Participate in professional growth activities and continuing education opportunities.
• Participating in Third Party billing for those students who are eligible.
• Acquiring knowledge of the goals of the Minneapolis Public School District Improvement Agenda and site/school goals. Working to support and achieve those goals.
• Establishing developmentally appropriate instructional and behavioral expectations for students and for self, as well as communicating this information to students and their families.
• Facilitating positive interactions between students and teacher, student and peers, and student and other adults.
• Modeling learning and behavior consistent with the expectations for students.
• Participating in ongoing and regular staff, team, and individual professional development.
• Collaborating with peers to develop, plan, and implement best practices based on the needs/abilities of the students.
• Participating in site-based management and shared decision-making.
• Always keeping the students’ needs and rights first and foremost in any educational decision-making.
• Having a working knowledge of and implementing the Minnesota State Standards and the District Graduation Requirements.

The focus of these services may relate to a child’s:

• Activities of daily living.
• Classroom work and productive activities.
• Accommodations and/or adaptations.
• Play or leisure activities.
• Sensorimotor components of performance.
• Cognitive integration and cognitive components of performance.
• Psychosocial skills and psychological components of performance.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Training, and Experience Requirements

• Possession of a Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, or Doctorate in occupational therapy/physical therapy from a school accredited by the American Occupational Therapy Association/ American Physical Therapy Association (ATPA).
• Minnesota State Licensure as an Occupational Therapist/ Physical Therapist.
• Certification from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy.
• Demonstrated continued professional development through course work, research, peer collaboration and/or job-embedded staff development.
• Working knowledge of the subject matter, classroom management techniques, current researched best practices, and strategies, as well as students’ learning styles and needs, both academic and affective.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Previous work experience with children or in a school setting is beneficial.
• Prior successful experience in urban, multicultural education desirable.