POSITION SUMMARY:
Under
the direction of the Coordinating Supervisor of Special Education Support
Programs and Related Services, the Instructional Specialist – Occupational
Therapy is responsible for the development, coordination and implementation of
county-wide occupational therapy (OT) services and programs. The responsibilities of this position include
collaboration with school and administrative personnel for program planning and
design, recruitment and retention of staff, staffing assignments and
professional development. Observation and
evaluation of therapists is required.
The Instructional Specialist will ensure the occupational therapy
program is in compliance with federal, state and local mandates.
DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
Provides service delivery and compliance support for Occupational
Therapists;Collaborates with personnel in Human Resources regarding the
hiring of Occupational Therapists;
Provides coordination and general oversight for OT services from
itinerant therapists, including assignments of caseloads; conducts staff
observations and evaluations, and makes recommendations as needed;
Assesses the needs of students receiving OT services to facilitate
IEP development; provides general oversight of the implementation of the IEPs
for students receiving OT services;
Identifies and promotes best practices relative to the provision
of OT services; provides professional development regarding OT service delivery
and resources as needed;
Participates in the Occupational Therapist/Physical Therapist
steering committee;
Collaborates with schools and Maintenance/Facilities Departments
in the development of architectural and/or environmental modifications and 504
accessibility plans;
Collaborates with the Medicaid Office on data collection, billing
and reimbursement;
Attends special education leadership meetings and imparts
pertinent information to program staff;
Maintains database of services; submits all required reports to
federal, state and local agencies, including the Department of Special
Education;
Develops priorities and expenditures within the predetermined
budget allocation; and
Performs other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
Ability
to work cooperatively with students, staff, parents, and community; Experience
in working effectively with students, including individuals with exceptional
needs and/or other special student populations;
Knowledge
of the instructional needs and therapeutic interventions needed to meet the
needs of students with physical and developmental disabilities;
Knowledge
of options for meeting the needs of students in the least restrictive
environment;
Knowledge of state standards, benchmarks and alternative
assessments; knowledge of IDEA and COMAR regulations pertinent to occupational
therapy;
Demonstrated leadership
abilities;
Ability to collaborate
effectively with IEP teams, other school staff, administration and providers
from other service agencies;
Experience working with
computers and other technology; and
Demonstrated skill in effective human relations and in oral and
written communications.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
Master’s
degree from an accredited college or university in special education, occupational
therapy or a closely related field required. A minimum of five (5) years of occupational
therapy experience required.
CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Maryland Occupational Therapy license and Advanced Professional
Certificate, Administrator I Certification required.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Observation
and evaluation of therapists is required.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands 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.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, talk, hear, walk, sit, and use fingers, tools or controls. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision such as to read handwritten or typed material, the ability to adjust focus, and depth perception. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally push or lift up to 25 lbs.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
None.