Occupational Therapist Assistant -Temporary

Central Office

The Burlington School District believes a diverse and culturally proficient faculty and staff are pivotal to the creation of a strong learning and working environment that supports student achievement and success. BSD administrators lead inclusive school communities with our vision: "Cultivating caring, creative, and courageous people. - Join the journey.”

The Mission of the Burlington School District is to graduate students who:

• Value different cultures;
• Engage with the community;
• Communicate effectively;
• Think creatively;
• Skillfully solve problems; and
• Achieve at their highest academic, intellectual and personal potential.

Burlington School District is accepting applications for high-energy, insightful Occupational Therapist Assistant for the remainder of the school year, who is committed to high levels of achievement of all students, starting immediately till June 2025. Occupational Therapist Assistants functions as a collaborative team member to provide occupational therapy as a related service. Responsibilities include providing related services to students and student team members according to the student’s individual education plan (IEP), and the District’s instructional programs. Also provides accommodations included in the American Disabilities Act 504 Plan for students who have limited access to their education. Assists students, through direct therapy, consultation, assistive devices, and technology, to gain or enhance motor, communication, adaptive, social, behavioral, and prevocational/vocational skills in the attainment of curriculum/learning goals.

Duties and Responsibilities:(include but not limited to)

• Determines the student’s functional capabilities and educational readiness including such skills as fine motor, visual motor, sensory-motor, attention, social/emotional resilience, self-care and adaptive, academically-applied perceptual skills, and assimilation of new learning.
• Coordinates and provides occupational therapy screenings as requested by the Educational Support, IEP, or 504 Team.
• Collaborates with the Supervising Occupational Therapist in the development of an IEP or a 504 Plan.
• Provide appropriate therapy services (direct and/or consultative) to meet the students’ individual learning needs or accommodations for access to their education
• Provide therapeutic activities, techniques, adaptive equipment, assistive technology, and other accessible instructional materials to educate staff to meet the students’ needs.
• Record students’ progress at appropriate intervals based on IEP goals and objectives.
• Keep thorough and appropriate records and paperwork on eligible students in working files in the occupational therapy office.

Other Responsibilities:

• Serve as a resource to school staff members for information on occupational therapy skills and services
• Provide information and support to parents and families
• Keep a central record of all current occupational therapy students as well as discharged students for up to 5 years.
• Attend regularly scheduled occupational therapy staff meetings with the Director of Early Ed program and Alternative Ed program as appropriate.
• Attend regularly scheduled Related Therapy and other Special Education meetings
• Maintain professional competence and knowledge of best practices in pediatric occupational therapy for identification, assessment, and diagnostic techniques through readings, attendance at conferences, workshops, memberships in professional organizations, and other relevant activities per district guidelines.
• Demonstrate flexibility and versatility in meeting special education department and student needs.
• Execute responsibilities efficiently and in an organized manner e.g. reports, IEPs, progress notes, other documentation, inventory, supply orders, etc..
• Demonstrates professional behavior, maintains confidentiality, and professional ethics.
• Arrives at schools, therapy sessions, and meetings on time and with proper preparation.
• Collaborates with other community agencies and specialists to meet the needs of the student and family.
• May perform other work-related responsibilities as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS INCLUDE: 

Job Requirements:

• Minimum:  Associates Degree in Occupational Therapy (as credentialed by the American Occupational Therapy Association) or the equivalent from an occupational therapy association in another country.
• Certification: National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) with initial passage of the national examination and required ongoing continuing education credits
• License: State of Vermont, Office of Professional Regulation (Secretary of State)

Required Qualifications:

• Experience: Two plus years of pediatric experience in schools or related pediatric occupational therapy practice preferred.
• Skills: A wide range of experience and depth of knowledge in occupational therapy theory and practice as it relates to children, adolescents and young adults with a variety of diagnoses.
• Integration of clinical theory and practice that results in evaluation, treatment and consultation that is innovative, inclusive and educationally relevant.
• Demonstrates appreciation of the value of different cultures and the ability to engage with a diverse educational community.
• Demonstrates a working knowledge of Special Education state and federal guidelines, regulations, and laws.

The working conditions of this position include: 

1. Work environment is a regular office, classroom, outdoor, community preschool or other school setting.
2. Occasional exposure to weather extremes.
3. Ability to tolerate extremes in noise levels. 

Equal Opportunity: The Burlington School District provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

The Burlington School District will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.