Occupational Therapist (OT)
Duties/Responsibilities of an OT:
- Evaluate students in the areas of neuromuscular, sensory processing, fine motor, perceptual motor, and self-help skills, postural reflexes, self-care, and needs to adaptive devices and equipment
- Plan and assess the progress of students as they progress through their therapeutic plans which may include:
- Teaching daily living skills
- Developing perceptual motor skills and sensory integrative functioning
- Developing play skills and prevocational and leisure capabilities
- Using specifically designed craft and exercises to enhance functional performance
- Adapting environments for the handicapped
Week in the Life of an OT:
- One-on-one therapy sessions
- Group occupational therapy sessions
- Contributing to the analysis of existing evaluation data from a variety of sources, including independent evaluations, to decide what additional data is needed to ascertain what additional data is needed to determine student eligibility for special education and related services.
- Conducting initial evaluations and re-evaluations that comply with state evaluation guidelines
- Developing quality IEPS.
- Development and or contribution to an Individualized Educational Program (IEP)
- Attendance at IEP meetings
- Consultation with staff, teachers, family, and other service providers
- Documentation of services
Candidates Should Have:
- Working knowledge of Federal and State laws governing Special Education and adherence to those laws
- Prior knowledge or be willing to develop knowledge of the requirements set forth in the New Mexico Technical Evaluation and Assessment Manual (NM TEAM) and the NM TEAM: Identification of Dyslexia Supplemental Narrative and Worksheet.
- The OT must have or be willing to gain knowledge in developing quality IEPs
Qualifications for an OT:
- Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy
- New Mexico Regulation and Board License
- New Mexico Public Education Department License
- School based experience is preferred, but not required
- Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants welcome to apply as well; a slightly modified job description applies