Occupational Therapist Candidate Pool

Howard County Public School System; Maryland; On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

A public school system in Maryland is seeking an Occupational Therapist to provide therapy services that comply with educational policies. The role involves conducting assessments, implementing interventions, and collaborating with teachers to support students' sensory and motor needs. Ideal candidates should have a Bachelor's in Occupational Therapy, valid licensure, and preferably three years of experience working with children. This position offers competitive compensation and opportunities for professional development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited program.
• Valid state licensure or eligibility for licensure as an Occupational Therapist (OT-L) from the Maryland State Board of Occupational Therapy Practice.
• Three years of experience as an Occupational Therapist working with pediatric populations.
• Strong knowledge of child development, sensory processing theory, and therapeutic techniques.
• Thorough knowledge of the IEP/IFSP process.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive assessments of students' motor skills and daily living activities.
• Implement evidence-based therapeutic interventions.
• Collaborate with teachers to integrate strategies into classroom routines.
• Provide consultations and training to teachers, parents, and staff on sensory and motor strategies.
• Maintain documentation of assessments, progress notes, service logs, and treatment plans.
• Collect and analyze data on student performance, engagement, and behavior to direct interventions.
• Provide supervision and training of paraprofessionals and OTAs as needed.

Skills

Understanding of child development

Sensory integration techniques

Evidence-based therapeutic interventions

Communication skills

Collaboration skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy

Valid state licensure as an Occupational Therapist

Job description

**DESCRIPTION**Under the direction of the Coordinator of Countywide Services and Principal, the Occupational Therapist provides occupational therapy services in Howard County Public Schools that comply with state, federal, Board of Education policies and procedures in order to protect and promote the health and functional independence of students to facilitate their access to educational programming. The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of child development, sensory integration techniques, and evidence-based therapeutic interventions to support students with diverse needs in achieving their academic and functional goals.**MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS****Applicants must meet all qualifications below to be considered for the vacancy.****Education:** Bachelor's degree Occupational Therapy from an accredited program. Valid state licensure or eligibility for licensure as an Occupational Therapist (OT-L) from the Maryland State Board of Occupational Therapy Practice. **PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS**Three (3) years of experience as an Occupational Therapist working with the pediatric population. Certification from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) (OT-R). Previous experience working with children and adolescents in educational or pediatric settings. Strong knowledge of child development, sensory processing theory, and therapeutic techniques. Excellent interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills across all stakeholders. Thorough knowledge of the IEP/IFSP process. The below list is a summary of the functions of the job, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, and duties.**ESSENTIAL POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES**Conduct comprehensive assessments to evaluate students' fine and functional motor skills, sensory processing, visual-motor integration, and activities of daily living (ADLs) in relevant educational environments. Three (3) years of experience as an Occupational Therapist working with the pediatric population. Implement evidence-based therapeutic interventions to address students' areas of need, such as sensory diets, fine motor activities, handwriting skills, and adaptive equipment utilization. * Collaborate with teachers and other school personnel to integrate therapeutic strategies into the classroom and daily routines.* Offer consultations and training to teachers, parents, and staff members on strategies and equipment to support students' sensory and motor needs in educational settings.* Maintain accurate documentation of assessments, progress notes, service logs, and treatment plans in compliance with regulatory standards and school policies.* Collect and analyze data on student performance, engagement, and behavior to improve student outcomes and direct intervention.* Provide supervision and/or training of paraprofessionals and OTAs as needed.**SELECTION CRITERIA**Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be included in further evaluation. Interviews will be limited to those applicants who, in addition to meeting the basic requirements, have experience and education which most closely match the position qualifications and the needs of the school system.**EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION****Compensation**This is either a 10-month or 11-month per year position in the Howard County Educators Association (HCEA) employee bargaining unit. The current salary ranges for this position are on the. Actual placement will be in accordance with the salary procedures of the Howard County Public School System and the HCEA Master Agreement which considers education and relevant prior experience. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, this position is exempt from overtime. Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings, Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings, and other relevant meetings to contribute to students' educational planning and outcomes. Understanding of evidence-based practice in occupational therapy. Stay abreast of current research, trends, and best practices in occupational therapy and education to inform practice and enhance service delivery. Participate in professional development activities designed to advance knowledge in the areas of education, compliance, and best practices in occupational therapy. Perform other related duties as required. The above list is a summary of the functions of the job, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, and duties.**Benefits** for eligible employees. Information about additional benefits such as paid time off can be found in the **Pre-Employment Requirements**All employees, regular and temporary, must be fingerprinted, have a criminal background investigation completed, and successfully complete the Maryland Employment History Review, pursuant to Section 6-113.2 of the Education Article, Annotated Code of Maryland. In addition, some positions will require completion of a physical examination and/or drug testing.