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Occupational Therapist

Employer
Pittsburgh Public Schools
Location
Pittsburgh, PA, US
Salary
Competitive

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Under the supervision of the administrative staff in the Program for Students with Exceptionalities, and the appropriate state and federal programs, the Occupational Therapist evaluates and designs treatment plans to assist students in benefiting from their classroom/school program in the areas of sensorimotor status, visual motor skills, perceptual skills, self-care activities, environmental adaptations including equipment, and functional school mobility. The students' ages range from 3 years to 21 years old.

The position of Occupational Therapist reports to the administrative staff of the Program for Students with Exceptionalities and oversees all certified occupational therapy assistants.

Reports To: OT Supervisor/Special Education Administration

Salary:
Salary Schedule for Special Services Providers (Starting Salary $42, 382 with Bachelor's Degree or $44, 618 with Master's Degree)

Qualifications:
General Education:
- Valid licensure and compliance as regulated by the Pennsylvania State Board of Occupational Therapy and Licensure.
- Successful completion of the certification examination as administered by the National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapy.

Vocational Requirements:
- Compliance with the Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics and the Code of Ethics from the Pennsylvania State Board of Occupational Therapy Education and Licensure.
- A thorough familiarity with American Occupational Therapy Association's Guidelines for Occupational Therapy Services in School Systems and the Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association's Guidelines for Occupational Therapy Services in School Systems in also required.
- Computer skills and knowledge of word processing is a necessity. A valid PA Driver's license is preferred.

Communication Requirements:
- Strong oral and written communication skills are required, along with the ability to hear and read.

Residency Requirements: No Residency Requirement

Essential Job Functions:
1. Assists students with improving, developing, or restoring functions impaired or lost through illness, injury, or deprivation.

2. Assists students with improving ability to perform tasks for independent functioning when functions are impaired or lost that impact school performance.

3. Assists students in preventing, through early intervention, initial or further impairment or loss of function.

4. Reviews available student medical records, and school records including a student's IEP and their annual goals.

5. Performs assessment and screenings of students' occupational performance areas and occupational performance components that are relevant to the students' functioning in school.

6. Participates in educational MDE and IEP processes for identification of students' strengths, needs, exceptionality, goals, objectives, and determination of service delivery requirements necessary for students to benefit from their educational programs.

7. Designs and implements occupational therapy intervention programs that fulfill the students' IEP (or the Service Agreement for students covered by Chapter 15 protections).

8. Assumes responsibility for ongoing management of the occupational therapy program including documentation, communication, record keeping, in service education, community coordination, and maintenance of supplies and equipment within the occupational therapy program.

9. Provides supervision to the certified occupational therapy assistant and other personnel who may be associated with the occupational therapy program.

10. Collaborates with members of the students' education team.

11. Provides treatment or consultation to assist students in benefiting from their classroom/school program in the areas of sensorimotor status, visual motor skills, perceptual skills, self-care activities, environmental adaptations including equipment, and functional school mobility.

12. Provides appropriate seating and positioning devices in order to maintain a functional posture for engagement in classroom activities.

13. Manages an itinerant caseload within the Pittsburgh Board of Education district including traveling between schools and treatment of children in all educational programs.

14. Additional duties or responsibilities as assigned by the administrative staff may be required.

Additional Job Information:
HOW TO APPLY
To become a PPS teacher, you must first complete a "Standard: Certified" application in the District's online application system. (www.pps.k12.pa.us/careers) This application will be screened in order to determine if you will be placed on the eligible list. Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) is required by the Pennsylvania School Code to use an eligible list to determine which candidates can be considered for hire. For more information, please see the Eligible List FAQ on the district website.

A complete teacher application requires:
- An updated resume, reflective of your education and employment experience, including community involvement and leadership roles.
- Writing samples (responses to three brief essay prompts)
- References (submission and return of three electronic references)
- Selection of your certification type and content area
Step 1. Create an account and complete the online application. In addition to the above requirements, you will also have the opportunity to upload your Pennsylvania Praxis Exam scores, diplomas, transcripts, state-issued certificates, and additional attachments.
Step 2. Pittsburgh Public Schools will contact you if you are selected to move forward in the hiring process.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Moderate physical demands, for example: walking in school buildings, assist students with physical disabilities which can involve lifting and ensuring proper body mechanics. Employee will be required to operate computer system for data entry, and have the ability to complete necessary paperwork. This position requires minimum physical effort and not subjected to Occupational Health and Safety risks. PA driver license preferred; driving is involved to get from each school building to provide itinerant OT services.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Employees of the Pittsburgh Public Schools engage in the extremely important and fulfilling job of educating students in the City of Pittsburgh. Employees must believe in, value and be committed to the educability of all; must promote the school and district vision of high standards of learning and academic rigor, continuous school improvement, and the inclusion of all members of the school community; must be willing to work in a high stress environment while maintaining the energy necessary to meet the responsibilities and expectations of the position. A sample of specific elements associated with the work environment of this position includes:
-Frequently required to work at fast pace
-Comfort with ambiguity
-Requires considerable concentration and creativity
-Able to adjust daily work plans and work hours to be highly responsive to school needs
-Subject to stress caused by a changing environment, diversity in the organization, tight deadlines and work load, but must be able to maintain work/life balance amidst intense work demands.
ADA:
The employer will make reasonable accommodation in compliance with the American with Disabilities Act of 1990. This job description will be reviewed periodically as duties and responsibilities change with business necessity. Essential and marginal job functions are subject to modification.
OTHER INFORMATION:
The Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs, activities, career and technical education programs or employment and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. It is the policy of the Pittsburgh School District to make all services, programs and activities available and to provide reasonable accommodations to persons with disabilities. Please make requests for accommodations at least 72 hours before the scheduled event. For more information regarding accommodations, civil rights grievance procedures, please contact: Ms. Rachel Beers, Office of Employee Relations, 341 S. Bellefield Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 or 412-529-HELP (4357).

The Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs, activities, career and technical education programs or employment and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. It is the policy of the Pittsburgh School District to make all services, programs and activities available and to provide reasonable accommodations to persons with disabilities. Please make requests for accommodations at least 72 hours before the scheduled event. For more information regarding accommodations, civil rights grievance procedures, please contact: Office of Employee Relations, 341 S. Bellefield Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 or 412-529-HELP (4357).

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