Occupational Therapist (SPED) 2026-2027

Topeka Public Schools; Topeka (KS); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Topeka Public Schools is seeking a licensed occupational therapist to evaluate students, determine functional levels, and plan and implement therapeutic activities to help special education students benefit from their educational experience.

The therapist will be responsible for developing and implementing IEP goals, supervising the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, coordinating with teachers and families, managing equipment and budgets, and completing all required Special Education

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy (minimum) from an AOTA-accredited school.
• Must have or be eligible for current Kansas OT license.
• School-based occupational therapy experience and assistive technology experience are helpful.

Responsibilities

• Implements the Individual Education Plan (IEP).
• Provides training to staff who will carry out therapy goals in the school setting.
• Manages equipment and maintains a positive environment.
• Provides therapy services covering self-help, mobility, environmental adaptations, positioning, motor functions, sensory processing, and vocational skills.
• Functions as a team member of the Student Improvement Team; maintains contact with school, family, physicians, and agencies.
• Formulates OT procedures; conducts screenings and reassessments to develop IEPs.
• Schedules students for evaluation and treatment; assigns and supervises caseloads for the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant.
• Supervises pupils in out-of-classroom activities and oversees assigned budgets.
• Supports district educational mission and implements Board policies; performs other duties as assigned.
• Completes all Special Education paperwork including IEPs and Medicaid billing.

Skills

School-based OT experience

Assistive technology knowledge

Education

Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy

Eligible for Kansas OT license

Job description

Reports To:

Director of Special Education

Position Purpose:

The occupational therapist evaluates students to determine their functional levels and to identify their special needs. The therapist plans and implements therapeutic activities to assist special education students in benefiting from their educational experience.

The occupational therapist is responsible for planning and implementing the goals of the Individual Education Plan (IEP).

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy (minimum) from a school accredited by the American Occupational Therapy Association.
• Must have, or be eligible for current Occupational Therapy license from the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts.
• School-based Occupational Therapy experience and experience with assistive technology helpful.

Physical/Emotional Requirements:

(The incumbent may be required to use the below requirements during any part of the working day.)

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, sit, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and depth perception.

Performance Responsibilities:

• Implements the Individual Education Plan
• Provides training to the appropriate persons who will carry out therapy goals in the school setting
• Manages equipment and maintains a positive environment
• Provides program services that include: self help, functional mobility, environmental adaptations/adaptive equipment, positioning, motor functions, sensory processing, and prevocation/vocational skills
• Functions as a team member of the Student Improvement Team. Maintains contact with school, family, physicians, and agencies
• Formulates occupational therapy procedures
• Conducts screening evaluations and reassessment to develop Individual Education Plans
• Schedules students for evaluation and treatment
• Assigns and supervises caseload and responsibilities of the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
• Supervises pupils in out-of-classroom activities during the assigned duty day
• Oversees assigned budgets
• Supports the District’s educational mission for all students and implements all Board regulations and policies in a fair and equitable manner
• Performs other tasks and assumes other responsibilities as the superintendent or designee may assign
• Must complete all Special Education paperwork including IEPs and Medicaid billing.

Terms of Employment:

9 months; salary and work year to be determined by the Board of Education.

Evaluation:

Performance of this position will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the board policy on evaluation of Support Service Personnel

Significant associations:

The performance responsibilities are not limited to those outlined in this description and may include any other responsibilities as assigned by the administrator/supervisor