PRN Occupational Therapist

Position Type: Licensed Specialists/ Occupational Therapist

Date Posted: 8/14/2024

Location: Somerset County (Multiple School and classroom-based locations per assignment)

Reports to: Supervisor of Occupational and Physical Therapy

Terms: Hourly

Labor Status: Exempt

Job Classification: Per current Non-Bargaining Unit Compensation Plan

Certification: Certification/Licensure as required by the Pennsylvania Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs

The Appalachia Intermediate Unit 8 (AIU8) is one of the 29 intermediate units that provides a vast array of services for member school districts, including student services, training and technical assistance, online learning, and customized programs and services. IU8 includes four counties comprised of 35 school districts (approximately 98 schools) and five Career Technical Centers. Appalachia Intermediate Unit 8 serves approximately 47,000 students across four counties within 3500 square miles.

Our service area includes four counties:
Blair, Somerset, Bedford, and Cambria. We have five different office locations within our service area:
Altoona, Duncansville, Ebensburg, Richland, and Somerset. AIU8 has opportunities for everyone, and our service area offers a broad range of living environments from rural to more densely populated city areas.

This position will be responsible for evaluation, planning and implementation of school-based occupational therapy interventions to meet the needs of students with motor, adaptive and sensory impairments with a focus on promoting access to their educational setting. This may also include supervision of Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants and/or students as a clinical instructor.

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• Use a variety of appropriate assessments to evaluate individual student needs and progress on a continuous basis, interpret assessment data and use assessment data to generate reports of progress for students ages 3-21.
• Attend, participate in, and/or review information to discuss results of required occupational therapy evaluations and IEP reports.
• Participate in educational Multidisciplinary Evaluations (MDE) and Individual Education Plan (IEP) processes for identification of students’ strengths, needs, goals, objectives and determination of service delivery requirements necessary for students to benefit from their educational programs.
• Design and implement occupational therapy interventions in accordance with the students’ IEP or the Service Agreement (504 plan) for students covered by Chapter 15.
• Contribute to the ongoing management of the occupational therapy intervention programs including documentation, communication, record keeping, in‑service education, community coordination and maintenance of supplies and equipment within the occupational therapy program.
• Complete all documentation and billing within required timelines including Medical Access billing for eligible students, and signing off on COTA billing entries when necessary.
• Consult and collaborate with the educational team regarding occupational therapy needs and services.
• Supervise and mentor certified occupational therapy assistants in accordance with the state practice act and licensure laws.
• Demonstrate knowledge of student characteristics of age group(s), student characteristics of exceptionality group(s), and pedagogy.
• Utilize evidence‑based practices and appropriate interventions when implementing occupational therapy services.
• Develop appropriate therapeutic activities that address each student’s individual needs including the use of and recommendation of adaptive equipment.
• Demonstrate knowledge of content/area of specialization, Pennsylvania Academic Standards, and appropriate materials and resources.
• Create an environment of respect and rapport and establish a culture for learning and skill acquisition.
• Manage student behavior, organize physical space, and maintain student engagement throughout related service provision.
• Provide equitable, accurate, and frequent supportive and constructive feedback to students.
• Demonstrate flexibility in responding to students, maintain professional competence,…