TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

Length of position: As Needed

Hours: As Needed

COTA Minimum Hourly Rate: $30.00

OT Minimum Hourly Rate: $40.61

SUMMARY

The Substitute Occupational Therapy Provider reports to the Supervisor of Related Services. The Occupational Therapist (OTR) is responsible for the screening, evaluation, and treatment of students requiring occupational therapy services. This role aims to enhance independent functioning and facilitate learning in a school environment.

The Substitute Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) works collaboratively with the educational team to deliver effective treatment and ensure that students thrive in the least restrictive environment.

Both positions utilize a range of occupational therapy theories, techniques, and methodologies, addressing areas such as physiological, neurological, sensory, and behavioral interventions. All services are delivered in alignment with each student's Individual Education Plan (IEP) to promote optimal development and success in the classroom.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST (OTR)    

• Provide direct and/or indirect occupational therapy (OT) services through the use of purposeful activity, exercises, and other treatment procedures involving sensory processing, positioning, and handling per student’s IEP.
• Evaluate and screen students using appropriate tests, clinical observations, and other assessment tools.
• Determine the strengths and needs of individual students in the areas of visual-motor, visual-perceptual, sensory processing skills, and/or activities of daily living skills to allow the student to function in the least restrictive environment.
• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings to develop Individual Education Plans (IEP) and/or ARDs with parents and committee members.
• Consult with teachers, parents, and other care providers to make referrals and discuss such topics, as the use of exercises and equipment, the needs of exceptional students, and appropriate environments.
• Maintain clinical and administrative records in accordance with State guidelines and school policy to record such data as attendance at sessions, test results, evaluations, IEPs, and yearly progress summaries.
• Assist parents and teachers in acquiring the equipment necessary for the student to maximize the student’s functioning in the school.
• Maintain professional development by attending conferences, workshops, professional meetings, etc.

OR

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES OF CCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT (COTA) 

• Support academic outcomes to improve inclusion and accessibility to the least restrictive learning environment under the direction of an established Occupational Therapy Plan of Care
• Collaborate with school personnel and guardians regarding Sensory, Activities of Daily Living, Visual Motor, Fine Motor, and Handwriting needs of the individual student
• Provide skilled direct, integrated, and consultative occupational therapy intervention for individual students and/or groups as per IEP
• Provide instructional support to teachers and support staff on the application of occupational therapy-specific techniques for use in the classroom
• Create and prepare therapy materials for use in the classroom
• Adapt school and classroom environment, tools, and learning materials for the purpose of improving student function and facilitating student access to the curriculum
• Record Medicaid billing information in SHARS for services rendered
• Assist OTR in the objective portion of occupational therapy screen and occupational therapy evaluation to assist Occupational Therapist with testing
• Collect, document, and communicate pertinent information to the supervising Occupational Therapist in accordance with confidentiality requirements
• Participate in regularly scheduled school professional development and staff meetings
• Demonstrate ethical behaviors and follow district policies
• Troubleshoot problems with assistive devices for the purpose of ensuring equipment is in proper working order
• Other duties as assigned
• Maintain student records, including student progress notes, monthly tracking logs, and Medicaid billing
• Compile, maintain, and file all physical and computerized reports and other documents required

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

OTR

• Graduation from an accredited college with a Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy or graduation from an Accredited Collegiate Occupational Therapy Assistant Program with a Science or Applied Science Degree
• Successfully passed the national certification examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) to receive required credentials to practice as a licensed Occupational Therapist
• Must hold a current license in good standing through the Texas Board of Occupational Therapist Examiners (TBOTE)
• Two years of full-time paid experience as a registered Occupational Therapist
• Maintain Professional Liability Insurance
• Knowledge of normal child development patterns and experience working with pediatric populations.
• Knowledge of State, local, and Federal laws and regulations affecting the delivery of OT services.
• Ability to identify abnormal child development or growth and assess differences in functioning.
• Sign Language: The ultimate required proficiency level for the position using the levels designated in the Sign Language Proficiency Interview (SLPI) is ADVANCED.

OR

COTA

• Graduation from an accredited college with an Associate's degree or higher from an American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) or Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) certified school
• Must hold a current license in good standing through the Texas Board of Occupational Therapist Examiners (TBOTE) or NBCOT. 
• Knowledge of normal child development patterns and experience working with pediatric populations.
• Knowledge of State, local, and Federal laws and regulations affecting the delivery of OT services.
• Ability to identify abnormal child development or growth and assess differences in functioning.
• Sign Language: The ultimate required proficiency level for the position using the levels designated in the Sign Language Proficiency Interview (SLPI) is ADVANCED.

QUALIFICATIONS DESIRED

• Knowledge of a school setting and providing occupational therapy services pertinent to that setting.
• Experience with Neuro-Development Treatment and Sensory Integration Therapy techniques.
• Knowledge of Applied Behavior Analysis techniques.
• Knowledge of Ready Body/Ready Mind techniques
• Advanced or better sign communication skills

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES/ATTRIBUTES

• Problem solving—the individual identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner and gathers and analyzes information
• Effective Communication—the individual must be able to appropriately communicate with colleagues, students, parents, families, administrators, supervisors, and the public.
• Planning/organizing—the individual prioritizes and plans work activities, uses time efficiently, and develops realistic action
• Quality control—the individual demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness and monitors own work to ensure
• Dependability—the individual is consistently at work and on time, follows instructions, responds to management direction and solicits feedback to improve
• Safety and security—the individual actively promotes and personally observes safety and security procedures, and uses equipment and materials
• Interpersonal Skills—the individual maintains confidentiality, remains open to others’ ideas and exhibits willingness to try new things.

SUPERVISOR

Director of Student Support Services
 
MILITARY OCCUPATION SPECIALTY (MOS) CODE
None

It is the Texas School for the Deaf’s (TSD) policy to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, political affiliation or belief, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law. TSD expressly prohibits any form of workplace discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. Retaliation against individuals who oppose unlawful discrimination or participate in an employment discrimination proceeding is also prohibited. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, firing, promotions, training, wages, and benefits. In addition to federal law requirements, TSD complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.