To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.

GRPS MISSION: Our mission is to ensure that all students are educated, self-directed and productive members of society.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

Department: Special Education

Bargaining Unit:  Grand Rapids Education Association (GREA)

Salary:  Determined by collective bargaining agreement and comprehensive benefits package 

JOB SUMMARY

Provide Occupational Therapy services as indicated on each student’s IEP.

Work collaboratively with school initiatives that support intervention strategies for student success. Conference with parents and classroom teachers. Prepare written reports that include information needed to determine eligibility and educational data which identifies the student’s current level of motor performance. Establish communication systems between therapist and individual buildings, teachers, and parents.

Provide home based activities, when appropriate. Assist parents in identifying and/or preparing for summer therapy programs. Work cooperatively with area agencies involved with students and families.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Essential functions under the Americans with Disabilities Act may include any of the following duties, knowledge, and skills. This list is illustrative only and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by employees in this position. Regular on time and in person attendance is an essential function of this job. Other essential functions may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Comply with Michigan Special Education law and Michigan Department of Education requirements that impact Occupational Therapy services
• Work cooperatively with the Diagnostic Team in the development of goals and objectives
• Comply with Special Education IEP timelines.
• Provide direct instruction to students on caseload.
• Report progress to parents as scheduled in individual student IEP’s.
• Maintain accurate records of progress and service.
• Demonstrate knowledge of Grand Rapids Public Schools Curriculum
• Align student goals and objectives with district general education standards.
• Comply with the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the GRPS Board of Education and Grand Rapids Education Association
• Participate in building Student Success Teams
• Provide oversight to Certified Occupational Therapist Assistants
• Participate in area meetings with Special Education Supervisor, as directed by Area Special Education Supervisor
• Participate in district wide Occupational Therapy meetings, as directed by Area Special Education Supervisor
• Complete Medicaid documentations, monthly
• Participate in professional development opportunities.
• Support individual School Improvement Plans
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

• A bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy.
• Licensed by the Michigan Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Department (LARA).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Must be knowledgeable of Common Core State Standards and strategies to meet the academic, developmental, and functional needs of students.
• Competency in the administration and interpretation of occupational therapy assessment
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, peers, parents, and community.
• Demonstrated ability to work on a multidisciplinary team and offer occupational therapy specific recommendations that coincide with meeting the wholistic needs of the student.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely (oral and written)
• Understanding of and willingness to provide occupational therapy services within the context of “free appropriate public education” in the least restrictive environment rather than a rehabilitation or medical model.
• Regular and on-time attendance is required.
• Demonstrated ability to work in an economically, culturally, and racially diverse environment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a diverse and demanding workload.
• Demonstrated understanding of current research related to effective school based occupational therapy.

ADA REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands, work environment factors, and mental functions described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work is medium work which requires exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, talk, hear (in a quiet or noisy environment). Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust/focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Work is performed indoors although there will be required outdoor activities. The employee is directly responsible for the safety, well-being, and work output of students.

MENTAL FUNCTIONS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to compare, analyze, communicate both orally and in writing, copy, coordinate, instruct, compute, synthesize, evaluate, use interpersonal skills, compile, and negotiate.

Non-Discrimination

The Grand Rapids Public Schools will not discriminate against any person based on race, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, height, weight, color, religion, national origin, age, marital status, pregnancy, disability, veteran, or military status.

Americans with Disabilities Act accommodations: Assistance with the application process may be requested through the Human Resources Department at (616) 819-2022 or humanresources@grps.org.