Occupational Therapist

Yuma Elementary School District One; Yuma (AZ); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Yuma Elementary School District One is seeking an Occupational Therapist for the 2025-2026 school year. The position involves assessing students' functional development, planning treatments, and collaborating with various stakeholders to enhance student success.

The ideal candidate will possess a Bachelor's degree in a related field and a valid Arizona Occupational Therapy State License. Strong problem-solving and communication skills are essential. The role is exempt and includes a beneficial status.

Qualifications

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in diverse situations.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to adapt to changing priorities.
• Knowledge of health standards, child development, and safety practices.

Responsibilities

• Assesses students' motor skills and functional abilities.
• Develops treatment plans and educational materials.
• Provides direct occupational therapy services to students.

Skills

Ability to schedule activities

Communicating with diverse groups

Maintaining confidentiality

Interpreting medical reports

Education

Bachelor's degree in job-related area

Tools

Occupational therapy equipment

Job description

Job Details

School Year: 2025-2026
Working Calendar Days: 207 Days
Salary Range: See Professional/Technical & Administration Salary Placement Schedule
Benefited Status: Benefited Position - Tier 1

Purpose Statement

The job of Occupational Therapist is done for the purpose/s of assessing students' functional physical development level; planning and implementing appropriate treatment to meet individual student objectives; identifying architectural barriers; providing recommendations for accessibility, program development and student placement; and providing direction to Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants. This job reports to Exceptional Student Services Director.

Essential Functions

• Administers occupational therapy procedures and modalities for the purpose of achieving program objectives.
• Assesses students' fine and gross motor skills and functional abilities (e.g., perceptual-motor, hand functions, motor coordination, sensory development, muscle strength, etc.) for the purpose of determining program eligibility and developing recommendations for treatment, appropriate assistive devices and/or school placement.
• Collaborates with a variety of groups and/or individuals (e.g., parents, teachers, physicians, administration, maintenance personnel, Multi-disciplinary Evaluation and IEP team members, other professionals, etc.) for the purpose of communicating information, resolving issues and providing services in compliance with established guidelines.
• Consults with teachers, parents, other personnel and/or outside professionals for the purpose of providing requested information, developing plans for services, making recommendations and/or coordinating occupational therapy services with those of other disciplines.
• Develops treatment plans, interventions and/or educational materials (e.g., IEPs, Least Restrictive Environment, etc.) for the purpose of remediating students' motor skill deficits and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Directs the work of assigned COTAs for the purpose of providing guidance and ensuring that program objectives are achieved.
• Identifies structural issues for the purpose of removing barriers for students with physical limitations and/or identifying appropriate assistive technology.
• Instructs students and staff for the purpose of providing information on medical/behavioral attributes, use of assistive devices and/or implementing plans for remediation of functional limitations.
• Interprets medical reports for the purpose of providing information and/or ensuring that treatment/intervention plans are appropriate.
• Maintains files and/or records (e.g., progress reports, activity logs, billing information, treatment plans, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring the availability of information as required for reference and/or compliance.
• Participates in meetings, workshops, and seminars (e.g., training, IEPs, team meetings, etc.) for the purpose of conveying and/or gathering information.
• Performs site visits at multiple work sites including home visits for the purpose of providing direct therapy interventions and assistance as required.
• Prepares a wide variety of written materials (e.g., activity logs, correspondence, memos, treatment plans, Medicaid billings, reports, etc.) for the purpose of documenting activities, providing written reference, and/or conveying information.
• Provides direct occupational therapy service for the purpose of developing students daily living skills in compliance with established goals and objectives.
• Researches resources and methods (e.g., intervention and treatment techniques, assessment tools and methods, community resources, etc.) for the purpose of determining the appropriate approach for addressing students' functional goals.
• Responds to inquiries (e.g., parents, teachers, staff, students, etc.) for the purpose of providing information and/or referral as appropriate.
• Transports supplies and equipment to a variety of sites for the purpose of ensuring the availability of items as needed.

Other Functions

• Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Job Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

Ability: required to schedule activities, meetings, and/or events; gather, collate, and/or classify data; and use basic, job-related equipment. Flexibility is required to independently work with others in a wide variety of circumstances; work with data utilizing defined but different processes; and operate equipment using standardized methods. Ability is also required to work with a significant diversity of individuals and/or groups; work with data of widely varied types and/or purposes; and utilize a variety of job-related equipment. Independent problem solving is required to analyze issues and create action plans. Problem solving with data may require independent interpretation; and problem solving with equipment is significant. Specific ability based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: adapting to changing work priorities; communicating with diverse groups; maintaining confidentiality; meeting deadlines and schedules; working as part of a team; working with detailed information/data; maintaining effective working relationships; translating therapy data into meaningful educational activities; and dealing with frequent interruptions.

Knowledge: required to perform algebra and/or geometry; review and interpret highly technical information, write technical materials, and/or speak persuasively to implement desired actions; and analyze situations to define issues and draw conclusions. Specific knowledge based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: age-appropriate activities; concepts of grammar and punctuation; health standards and hazards; safety practices and procedures; stages of child development; abnormal development and medical diagnoses related to special Education funding categories; current OT treatment interventions; pertinent codes, policies, regulations and/or laws; knowledge of community resources; and recordkeeping and record retention practices.

Skills: required to perform multiple, highly complex, technical tasks with a need to periodically upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: applying assessment instruments; operating equipment used in occupational therapy strategies; operating standard office equipment including pertinent computer software; and preparing and maintaining accurate records.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

Responsibility

Responsibilities include: working under limited supervision using standardized practices and/or methods; directing other persons within a small work unit; operating within a defined budget. Utilization of some resources from other work units is often required to perform the job's functions. There is a continual opportunity to impact the organization’s services.

Working Environment

The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: significant lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, some climbing and balancing, frequent stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally the job requires 34% sitting, 33% walking, and 33% standing. The job is performed under minimal temperature variations and under conditions with exposure to risk of injury and/or illness.

Experience

Job related experience within a specialized field is required.

Education

Bachelors degree in job-related area.

Equivalency

Certificates: Valid Arizona Occupational Therapy State License, Continuing Education Requirements, Valid Driver’s License & Evidence of Insurability, Maintains Certificates and/or Licenses.

Continuing Education/Training: Valid Arizona Occupational Therapy State License Continuing Education Requirements, Valid Driver’s License & Evidence of Insurability, Maintains Certificates and/or Licenses.

Clearances

Criminal Justice Fingerprint/Background Clearance.

FLSA Status: Exempt
Approval Date: May 12, 2014
Salary Range: VI