OT Assistant - Springfield Public Schools - MA : Job Details

The assistant position is accountable for working with students throughout the school system who may have physical, sensory, and/or cognitive delays, which may be impacting their academic achievements. They will work under the supervision and guidance of a registered therapist providing individual, group and/or cooperative lessons. They will work cooperatively within the school environment with regular, as well as special education, staff to best enable the students to benefit from their academic experiences.

• Provide therapeutic and educational treatments consistent with the recommendations of the registered staff person. Treatments may include, but are not limited to, lifting, transferring, positioning, using adaptive equipment, changing when necessary, setting up positioning devices, assisting with mobility training, as well as assisting and supporting during activity execution.
• Work cooperatively with regular and special education staff to accommodate the needs of the students within the academic environment.
• Travel from school to school to meet the needs of the caseload demands,
• Schedule assigned students within the appropriate time frame of the school day and work week, that would best meet the needs of the student, as well as maximizing the time of the assistant. Review schedule with supervising therapist.
• Work cooperatively with the supervising therapist. Provide information relevant to the student's recommended program in writing or verbally as is prearranged between supervisor and assistant. Meet regularly for supervision and case review. Assume initiative in seeking out registered staff when encountering difficulties in procedures or assigned services.
• Assist with screening students for the end of the year, or meetings as needed.
• Provide individual therapy, classroom groups, small groups, and/or cooperative therapy according to the recommendations of the supervising therapist and educational plan.
• Attend staff meetings and team conferences as needed.
• Compete quarterlies of the students on the schedule and review as needed with the registered staff person.
• Collaborate with the members of the school based team - OT, PT, ST, Special and Regular Education Teachers, Paraprofessionals, etc - regarding students as needed.
• Participate in continuing education opportunities whenever possible to enhance therapy skills.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE JOB: (Minimum requirements)

• Maintains and manages a caseload comprised of physically disabled students in the schools.
• Works collaboratively with the Evaluation Team Leader and school team to develop educationally based IEPs for physically disabled students.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associates of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited institution recognized by the American Medical Association having a two-year program of academic and clinical preparation.
• Licensed in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts by the Board of Allied Health.
• Prior experience in a school setting preferred, pediatric experience preferred

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Lifting, carrying, bending, floor activities.
• Frequent travel between schools

The Springfield Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, age, handicap, or military service, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation. Reach out to Carmen Molina-Figueroa, the Human Resources Analyst, at 413-###-#### ext. 55394, the email address is [email protected]. She will be happy to answer any questions that you have. NONDISCRIMINATION EMPLOYMENT STATEMENT The Springfield Public Schools does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, sex characteristics, sex stereotypes and other sex-based conduct, genetic information, ancestry, age, disability or military service or marital status. The Springfield Public Schools does not discriminate in admission to, access or treatment in its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity, sex characteristics, sex stereotypes and other sex-based conduct, religion, national origin, or sexual orientation, disability or homelessness. NOTICE OF SEX NONDISCRIMINATION Springfield Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of sex and prohibits sex discrimination, including sex-based harassment, in any education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and its regulations, including in admission and employment. Inquiries about Title IX may be referred to the Springfield Public Schools' Title IX Coordinator, [email protected], the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights at or both. The Springfield Public Schools Title IX Coordinator is Katie O'Sullivan, Senior Administrator of Human Resources, 1550 Main Street, Springfield, MA 01103, 413-###-#### ext. 55428, [email protected]. Springfield Public School's sex nondiscrimination policy and grievance procedures can be located on the Springfield Public Schools website, www.springfieldpublicschools.com/non-discrimination To report information about conduct that may constitute sex discrimination or make a complaint of sex discrimination under Title IX, please refer to [email protected]