Part- Time Occupational Therapist Special Education

Position Type:
Special Education/Occupational Therapist

Date Posted:
1/2/2025

Location:
Various Dakota County locations

Date Available:
ASAP
INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT 917
POSITION OPENINGDate Posted: January 2, 2024

Position Title: Occupational Therapist, Special Education

Assignment Location: Various Programs through out Dakota County, MN serving students in ISD 917's Students with Unique Needs (SUN) Program, Transitional Ed Service Alternative Program (TESA) Program

Hours per Day: TBD

Schedule: This can be half days 5 days a week, 2. 5 full days a week, or some combination to make 20 hours a week

Anticipated Start Date: ASAP

Contract Length: 2024 - 2025 school year, continuing contract

Salary: Placement per the teacher contract, based on education and experience

POSITION OVERVIEW:

Under the general supervision of the assistant director/principal, our occupational therapists provide therapy to identified students in their assigned schools within Dakota County. OTs provide advanced human support work by evaluating the needs of students, designing and implementing appropriate therapies, preparing and maintaining accurate records, and performing related work as apparent or assigned. Professionalism, empathy, and a non-judgmental approach are essential when working with students receiving special education services to ensure their safety and growth and in order to help them understand and exhibit appropriate behaviors at school and in the community. An occupational therapist is part of a team environment, where collaboration, communication, and adaptability are key to the success of the team and the success of the students. The occupational therapist role is performed following District policy and State/Federal Laws.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide direct and indirect occupational therapy (OT) to identified students in member district schools and in ISD 917's Setting IV Special Education programs.
• Train paraprofessionals, special and general education teachers, and other team members on specific interventions.
• Observe students in various educational environments and provide recommendations; adapt and/or modify materials; collect data to evaluate student progress.
• Recommend and train staff and/or students on equipment; orders equipment for department and district program.
• Maintain and complete progress notes, consultation notes, and/or letters.
• Maintain documentation related to third party billing.
• Complete re-evaluations including writing evaluation reports.
• Assist with developing student Individualized Education Plan (IEP); assists case manager in establishing students' goals and objectives; completes appropriate components of a student's IEP.
• Responds to questions and inquiries.
• Help to maintain safety of all students and the environment.
• Collaborate with related service personnel, teachers, fellow assistants, and other program/school staff in order to meet the needs of students and maintain a positive work environment for all.
• Attend various meetings and committees; participate in training/in-service as assigned, in accordance to the contract.
• Performs other job-related duties, as assigned.

1. Must be a Minnesota State Department of Health certified Occupational Therapist with a graduate degree in occupational therapy with moderate experience as an occupational therapist for pediatric clients, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
2. Valid driver's license in the State of Minnesota.
3. Willingness and ability to work with students receiving a high-level of special education services.
4. Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices and procedures of specialty area; thorough knowledge of the principles and methodology of providing effective therapy for students with special needs; thorough knowledge of school rules, regulations and procedures.
5. General skill using standard tools of the trade.
6. Ability to make arithmetic computations using whole numbers, fractions and decimals; ability to compute rates, ratios and percentages.
7. Ability to maintain resiliency and organization.
8. Ability to understand and demonstrate an understanding of body mechanics.
9. Ability to demonstrate non-violent crisis intervention techniques.
10. Ability to establish and maintain standards of behavior.
11. Ability to deliver articulate oral presentations and written reports.
12. Ability to work as an effective member of a team with staff, parents, and the community through the building and maintaining of collaborative and positive relationships.
13. Good oral, written, and interpersonal communication that is maintained during high-stress and crisis situations.
14. General skill operating standard office equipment and applicable hardware and software.

1. Ability occasionally exert up to 25 pounds of force.
2. Work regularly requires speaking, hearing, and using hands to finger.
3. Work has standard vision requirements; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts.
4. Frequently requires standing, walking, sitting, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, and reaching with hands and arms.
5. Occasionally requires climbing or balancing, pushing or pulling, tasting or smelling, lifting and repetitive motions.
6. Work requires assembly or fabrication of parts within arm's length, operating machines, and operating motor vehicles and/or equipment.
7. Ability to tolerate sudden jarring movement; exposure to aggressive or impulsive acts.
8. Work occasionally requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions, exposure to vibrations, and exposure to bloodborne pathogens and may require wearing of personal protective equipment.
9. Locations are generally moderately noisy.