Part-time Occupational Therapist (Teacher)

Purpose: Provides school‑based therapy services within the Ohio State School for the Blind and Early Learning Services divisions, supporting students who are blind, deaf, deafblind, or have multiple disabilities. The therapist evaluates student needs, delivers direct and consultative services, and supports access to the educational program through developmentally appropriate, sensory‑informed, and function‑focused interventions.

Performs work associated with Occupational Therapy (OT):

• Assesses student need for OT;
• Organizes OT to meet the goals and objectives of student’s Individual Education Program (IEP);
• Develops objectives and presents lessons or strategies to meet the needs of individuals and/or groups and promotes high levels of success;
• Performs OT diagnostic evaluations and makes recommendations regarding OT services;
• Schedules and provides direct OT services as specified on IEP;
• Trains students in the use of adaptive equipment (e.g., AAC devices, wheelchairs, splints, aids for eating, dressing and daily living);
• Assists and instructs students during therapeutic sessions according to student’s IEP goals; Collaborates with the classroom teacher in the implementation of appropriate adaptations and accommodations to be used during the school day;
• Collaborates with residential staff to determine appropriate accommodations for use in the afterschool program;
• Works as part of the education/assessment team related to student evaluations;
• Evaluates/assesses students using standardized measurements, formal and informal tests and checklists as appropriate;
• Provides input and updates the IEP Team and/or transition team of student’s occupational therapy progress and needs;
• Creates and maintains a system of record related to student attendance, student progress and other required information;
• Enters data into reports and/or computerized IEP program;
• Records progress in quarterly progress reports, annual IEP meetings and informally whenever appropriate;
• Communicates with parents about the student’s progress through progress reports and on a regular basis;
• Provides parent consultation and gives OT information which includes utilizing appropriate local community resources;
• Provides outreach services (e.g., consultation services regarding OT for students who are blind/visually impaired, deafblind and/or multiply disabled);
• Submits monthly billing for Medicaid School Program.

Maintains professional licensure and development:

• Upgrades personal/professional knowledge and skills pursuant to State of Ohio teaching licensure requirements;
• Retains occupational therapy certification;
• Keeps well-informed of educational and occupational therapy techniques and skills;
• Submits an annual Individual Professional Development Plan to the LPDC for review and approval.

Assists the Ohio Deaf and Blind Education Services in carrying out their mission:

• Participates in staff, student, and department in-service meetings;
• Participates in extracurricular and student activities;
• Participates in other student related programs (e.g., annual development of student IEP goals, intervention teams, etc.) as needed.

Qualifications

Valid Ohio license in Occupational Therapy (OT) through the Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Athletic Trainers Board with a Pupil Services registration (OT) with the Ohio Department of Education.

Strongly Preferred: Experience teaching/working with children (in an educational environment) who are blind, deaf, deafblind, or have multiple disabilities.

Job Skills: Educational support, Leading Others, Presenting, Developing Others, Emotional Intelligence, Adaptability

Supplemental Information* The State of Ohio is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin (ancestry), military status, disability, age (40 years or older), genetic information, sexual orientation, or caregiver status, in making employment-related decisions about an individual.

• The Ohio Deaf and Blind Education Services is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs, and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws. To request a reasonable accommodation due to a disability please contact Kimberly Basil at 614-644-5968 or [email protected].
• The final candidate selected for the position will be required to submit a urinalysis to test for illegal drug use prior to an appointment. The State will decline to extend a final offer of employment to any applicant with a verified positive test result. Also, an applicant with a positive test result will not be considered for a position with the State of Ohio for a period of one year.