Occupational Therapist (School-Based)

The Occupational Therapist provides school-based occupational therapy services as a related service within an Approved Private School, supporting students with complex educational, behavioral, communication, and developmental needs. The Occupational Therapist evaluates students, develops and implements individualized interventions aligned with each student's Individualized Education Program (IEP), and collaborates with educators, families, and multidisciplinary team members to maximize students' access to the curriculum and participation in the school environment. Using evidence-based practices, including principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), the Occupational Therapist prioritizes services within natural learning environments whenever appropriate to promote skill development, independence, and generalization. As a member of the educational team, the Occupational Therapist supports student success by fostering functional skills that enable meaningful participation in educational activities and school routines. Planning and Preparation Effective Non-Teaching Professional (NTP) plan and prepare to deliver high-quality services equitably to all learners based upon extensive evidence-based knowledge of their discipline relative to individual and systems-level needs and within the context of interdisciplinary collaboration. Service delivery outcomes are clear, measurable, and represent relevant goals for the individual and system.

Identifies instructional delivery needs and takes steps to seek and receive instructional support.

Provides Occupational Therapy screenings and evaluations.

Contributes to student IEPs and attends meetings.

Integrates The Day School's curriculum into sessions.

Attends and participates in classroom Team Planning Meetings.

Educational Environment Effective NTPs assess and enhance the quality of the environment along multiple dimensions toward improved academic, behavioral and social-emotional outcomes. Environmental dimensions include adult-student relationships, staff interactions, security and maintenance, administration, student academic orientation, student behavioral values, student-peer relationships, parent and community-school relationships, instructional and intervention management and student activities. Monitor and adjust interventions based on patient response and progress toward goals.

Identifies management needs and seeks help in gaining a working command of the elements and techniques of classroom management.

Demonstrates understanding of effects of family and community on student behavior and performance.

Delivery of Service Effective NTP service delivery and evidence-based practice originate from a problem-solving process that can be applied at the individual, group, and systems level and is used for: (a) identification of priority areas for improvement; (b) analysis of variables related to the situation, including student needs and backgrounds; (c) selection of relevant factors within the system; (d) fidelity of implementation of services and supports; and (e) monitoring of effectiveness of services.

Demonstrates competency in both group and individual Occupational Therapy activities.

Clearly demonstrates competency in delivering individual and group therapy sessions.

Demonstrates appropriate techniques when working with students.

Trains, assists, and consults with other members of classroom teams to maximize effective implementation of Occupational Therapy goals throughout the school day.

Maintain organization of treatment spaces to support student safety, engagement, and participation.

Monitor, inspect, and maintain adaptive equipment, sensory support, and assistive technology to ensure proper function and safety.

Professional Responsibilities Effective NTPs have high ethical standards and a deep sense of professionalism, focused on improving their own service delivery in an equitable and inclusive manner and supporting the ongoing learning of colleagues. Their record keeping systems are efficient and effective. NTPs communicate with all parties clearly, frequently, and with cultural sensitivity. These professionals assume leadership roles within the system and engage in a wide variety of professional development activities that serve to strengthen evidence-based practices. Reflection on their practice results in ideas for improvement that are shared across professional learning communities and contribute to improving the practice of others.

Attends specific instructional strategy training activities.

Demonstrates understanding of the Occupational Therapy profession.

Demonstrates compliance with policies and procedures of The Children's Institute.

Completes all student documentation accurately and within facility time frames.

Completes all administrative documentation accurately and within given time frames.

Maintains appropriate, valid, and current Pennsylvania certification and/or licensure, as appropriate.