Contracted Occupational Therapist

Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit; Allentown (Lehigh County); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit in Allentown is seeking an Occupational Therapist to assess referred students and develop intervention plans. The ideal candidate will be certified and licensed in Pennsylvania, with a Bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy. Responsibilities include conducting evaluations, implementing IEPs, and collaborating with stakeholders to promote occupational therapy techniques in educational settings. The position offers the opportunity to provide vital support to students and participate in their development.

Qualifications

• Valid Certification of NBCOT required.
• Valid PA Licensure required.
• Bachelor’s Degree required, Master's preferred.
• Demonstrates philosophy of lifelong learning.

Responsibilities

• Conduct assessments and OT evaluations for referred students.
• Develop and implement evidence-based therapeutic interventions.
• Consult with parents and teachers regarding recommended activities.
• Train staff and students in proper use of devices.
• Maintain documentation per departmental guidelines.

Skills

Knowledge of occupational therapy treatments and activities

Ability to work collaboratively with stakeholders

Excellent oral and written communication skills

Organizational and time management skills

Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite

Education

Valid Certification of the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)

Valid PA Licensure as an Occupational Therapist

Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited OT program

Master’s Degree from an accredited OT program

Job description

Position Definition

The person filling this position will have the responsibility of assessing referred students and assisting in developing plans for early intervention and school age students, as it relates to occupational therapy intervention.

Relationship

The Occupational Therapist will be directly responsible to the Supervisor of Special Education.

Qualifications

Education/Experience

• Valid Certification of the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) as an Occupational Therapist, required.
• Valid PA Licensure as an Occupational Therapist, required.
• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited OT program, required.
• Master’s Degree from an accredited OT program, preferred.

Skills/Knowledge

• Demonstrates knowledge of occupational therapy treatments and activities.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the tools, techniques, and technologies used for therapy.
• Maintains professional credentials.
• Demonstrates a proficient understanding and utilization of Microsoft Office Suite and other software packages for use in the Special Program and Services Department.
• Demonstrates the ability to work collaboratively with external and internal stakeholders.
• Demonstrates the ability to maintain complete confidentiality.
• Demonstrates excellent interpersonal skills, demonstrated by patience, understanding, and congeniality.
• Demonstrates excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrates organizational skills and time management skills, providing for productivity, accuracy, and attention to detail in the carrying out of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrates the ability to implement and comply with PA Individual Education Program process.
• Completes tasks with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Demonstrates the ability to work independently and maintain departmental deadlines.
• Demonstrates the ability to make professional decisions.
• Demonstrates the ability to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
• Demonstrates the ability to provide training on the equipment/materials, as needed, to the student/staff involved.
• Demonstrates philosophy of lifelong learning.
• Possesses the skills to provide the highest level of customer service, with patience and knowledge of the Department’s services.
• Ability to attend work regularly at assigned work hours subject to lawful leave rights and responsibilities.

Physical

• Ability to stand, bend, stoop, sit, lift, reach, and communicate (vision, hearing, and speech) to effectively carry out functions, duties, and responsibilities.
• Ability to independently ambulate in and around work areas.
• Ability to travel to and from assigned work locations without employer support.
• Ability to exhibit appropriate manual dexterity to effectively carry out functions, duties, and responsibilities.
• Ability to conduct a safety restraint protocol which requires:
  • a normal degree of flexibility;
  • the ability to stand, walk, run, and shuffle for at least several minutes;
  • the ability to kneel on one and two knees and then stand up;
  • the ability to bend the trunk at 45 degrees and twist to either side;
  • the ability to grasp firmly and raise hands above the head;
  • the ability to learn and correctly demonstrate multi-step physical skills;

Authority

The Occupational Therapist will have the authority to perform all functions listed below in accordance with established policies and procedures.

Functions/Duties/Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function/duty/responsibility at acceptable standards. In accordance with both state and/or federal law, reasonable accommodations will be considered upon employee request.

Essential

• Adheres to departmental deadlines.
• Applies appropriate educationally-based occupational therapy treatments and activities.
• Demonstrates self-motivation as it relates to staying current with occupational therapy techniques and treatments.
• Works collaboratively with external and internal stakeholders.
• Demonstrates working knowledge of occupational therapy techniques as it applies to early intervention and school-age students.
• Performs assessments and OT evaluations for referred students, in accordance with departmental guidelines.
• Performs early intervention and/or school age occupational therapy evaluations, in accordance with regulations.
• Plans and develops evidence-based therapeutic intervention objectives and criteria that are educationally relevant and specifically related to the student’s educational program.
• Completes reports of evaluation results, including recommendations for interventions.
• Consults, instructs, mentors, and communicates recommended activities to the student’s parents, teachers, and related teams.
• Participates in the development of the student’s IEP, pertinent to occupational therapy, and implements the program established in that IEP.
• Trains the student, parents, and teacher in proper use of the device or equipment, as well as in occupational therapy techniques.
• Monitors and reassesses the occupational therapy program objectives for effectiveness.
• Provides consultation to parents and/or teachers informally through in-service programs, parent program meetings, or workshops.
• Oversees the work of Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants.
• Manages inventory of therapeutic equipment and assessments.
• Maintains knowledge of current regulations, standards, and guidelines regarding delivery of services.
• Maintains documentation and data collection, in accordance with departmental guidelines.
• Completes documentation necessary for school-based medical ACCESS within the time frame identified per CLIU policy and procedures.
• Completes all billing requirements within identified time frames.
• Provides educationally-based clinical supervision to the COTA/L, with consideration of COTA/L’s level of practice experience and AOTA guidelines.

Secondary

• Measures, orders, constructs, or oversees construction of appropriate adaptive equipment or devices for the individual student’s needs.
• Maintains inventory of supplies and equipment used in the program and requisitions new supplies as needed.
• This Job Description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to perform other duties as assigned.