Occupational Specialist/Therapist'); '

Allentown School District; Allentown (Lehigh County); On-site; USD 64,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking educational institution as an Occupational Specialist/Therapist, where you'll play a vital role in enhancing the lives of students with disabilities. Under the guidance of the Director of Special Education, you will provide essential occupational therapy services, ensuring that each student can thrive in their educational environment. This role involves conducting evaluations, developing tailored intervention plans, and collaborating with a dedicated team to support diverse student needs. With a commitment to excellence and community engagement, this position offers a rewarding opportunity to make a significant impact on the future of our students. Be part of a dynamic team that values diversity and strives for academic success!

Benefits

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Reimbursement

Tuition Reimbursement

Personal and Sick time

PSERS Retirement Fund

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Occupational Therapy and valid Pennsylvania license required.
• Experience with students with disabilities and compliance with state laws.

Responsibilities

• Provide occupational therapy services for students with disabilities.
• Conduct assessments and develop intervention plans collaboratively.

Skills

Occupational Therapy

Assessment and Evaluation

Collaboration

Data Analysis

Therapeutic Intervention

Education

Master of Science in Occupational Therapy

Job description

Position Type:
Special Education Department/ Occupational Specialist/Therapist

Date Posted:
1/12/2025

Location:
Administration Center - Allentown, PA

Occupational Specialist/Therapist
Salary range: $64,983-$74,343/yr.

Qualifications:

1. Minimum, Master of Science degree with a major in Occupational Therapy;
2. Hold a valid and current Pennsylvania license in Occupational Therapy;
3. Maintain current licensure and must continue to meet the required obligations of maintaining such licensure;
4. Satisfactory work record & criminal/child abuse clearances (Acts 34, 114, and 151);
5. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions;
6. Such additional or alternatives to the above qualifications as the board or superintendents may determine appropriate and acceptable.

Summary
Under the supervision of the Director of Special Education, the registered Occupational Therapist (OTR/L) will provide the supervision of the assessment, planning, organization, and delivery of occupational therapy services for students with disabilities or students eligible under section 504 (Chapter 15) within the educational setting. IDEA defines occupational therapy in the schools as a “related service,” that is, “developmental, corrective, and other support services as required to assist a child with a disability to benefit from special education” (34CFR 300.24 [a] [b] [5]). Working with school-age students, the OTR/L will work collaboratively with the Certified Occupational Therapist Assistants (COTA). The OTR/L will conduct evaluations with appropriate assessment tools, interpret the results, plan appropriate intervention plans, assign and monitor intervention duties of the COTA, and supervise the direct treatment interventions and progress monitoring of the student’s response to such interventions as provided by the COTA.

Essential Duties, Responsibilities and Competencies

1. Under the supervision of the Director of Special Education, the OTR/L provides the coordination of a District-wide occupational therapy service delivery system within all school settings.
2. The OTR/L initiates and directs all aspects of the screening, evaluation, and re-evaluation process and analyzes the data in accordance with federal and state law.
3. The OTR/L utilizes current assessments and procedures while following defined protocols of standardized assessments in developing and implementing an appropriate school-based intervention plan with clearly defined eligibility and qualified areas of need.
4. The OTR/L will collaborate in a team-based approach to develop and implement the intervention plan, based on the student’s needs and meaningful participation within the educational setting.
5. The OTR/L coordinates the oversight and planning in offering a continuum of therapeutic models (large group, small group, individual, combination, and consultation).
6. The OTR/L oversees modifications as needed in the intervention plan and documents changes in the student’s needs, goals, and performances.
7. The OTR/L is knowledgeable of exiting determination procedures and facilitates the transition or discontinuation plan in collaboration with input from the student, school team members, and parents.
8. When eligible, the OTR/L will complete accurate Medicaid/ACCESS billing paperwork.
9. The OTR/L will accurately utilize District databases in benchmarking student’s growth in reaching their goals.
10. The OTR/L communicates and collaborates with staff, parents, community and advocates on issues pertaining to services for students with disabilities (e.g., LCTI, OVR, MH/MR, CLIU).
11. The OTR/L provides guidance, support and direct services to address compliance issues related to the placement of newly identified and comparable program placement eligible students.
12. The OTR/L works directly with a full spectrum of eligible students; mild to severe disorders. Eligibility includes: students with speech and language as a primary disability or students with autism, deaf-blindness, deafness or hard of hearing, emotional disturbance, mental retardation, multiple disabilities, orthopedic impairment, other health impairment, specific learning disabilities, traumatic brain injury and visual impairment including blindness as a related services.
13. The OTR/L will provide data to the special education teachers, general education teachers, and special education facilitators/supervisors for RR, IEP development, Chapter 15 development, and progress monitoring.
14. The OTR/L will participate in scheduled IEP meetings as appropriate or provide the necessary written input.
15. The OTR/L will maintain progress monitoring information on annual OT goals and provide updated progress monitoring information at least on a quarterly basis to the parent.
16. The OTR/L will develop and revise as necessary an efficient therapy schedule which provides therapy service as described on the IEP.
17. The OTR/L will participate in the transition assessment process for students transitioning from early intervention service.
18. The OTR/L will remain current in the field by participating in approved training.
19. The OTR/L will promote a Consultative Model approach by providing collegial support; specifically sharing knowledge and skills, with general and special education teachers.
20. The OTR/L will promote least restrictive environment (LRE) opportunities by offering therapy in an Integrative Model approach; e.g., support within the community-based instruction format, within general education classroom, or within special education settings when appropriate.

Community Commitment
Share in our community! Grow with our students! Join our district today and be a part of our future!

The Allentown School District is committed to excellence! The richness of The Allentown School District's diversity is strengthened by its central role in educating our students for America's future through academic excellence and celebrating the culturally responsive, athletic and artistic range of talent in the schools. ASD students originate from 51 countries and speak 26 languages.

Benefits
The Allentown School District offers a comprehensive benefits package to those who qualify. This may include:

1. Medical Insurance
2. Dental Insurance
3. Vision Reimbursement
4. Tuition Reimbursement
5. Personal and Sick time
6. PSERS Retirement Fund

*Eligibility for specific benefits will be outlined in each labor group's specific collective bargaining agreement.