Occupational Therapist

Edmonton Catholic Schools is a large urban school division whose mission is to provide a Catholic education that inspires students to learn and that prepares them to live fully and to serve God in one another. The Division is comprised of over 50,000 students and over 5,500 employees in 95 schools plus other sites.

Requisition : 11157 Hours Per Week
: 35

Position
:
New FTE
: 1

Department
:
Occu, Phy & MH Therapy No Months Per Year
: 10

Position Status
:
Permanent Employee Group
: OOS

Rate of Pay
: $74,166 - $91,750

The Occupational Therapist collaborates with educational staff, families, and other professionals to support student success. This role provides assessment and intervention services to students from pre-school to Grade 12 with multiple complex needs. The occupational therapist focuses on identifying and addressing needs related to the school environment, self-care, emotional regulation, sensory processing, gross motor, fine motor, executive functioning skills as well as mental health to enhance students’ access, participation, independence, and engagement in school activities.

The occupational therapist supervises therapeutic assistants for occupational therapy (TAOTs) who implement programming directly with students.

This posting will remain open until filled.

• Assessment and Reporting (40%)
• Conduct screening/assessment of students’ strengths, abilities, and areas of need related to self-care, emotional regulation, sensory processing, gross motor, fine motor, executive functioning, mental health, assistive technology and/or alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) device access.
• Conduct environmental and task analysis assessments to address environmental barriers to participation (built environment, social environment, activity materials), or barriers related to activity demands.
• Assess, trial and recommend equipment (sensory and regulation tools, adaptive equipment, assistive technology, mounting equipment, other) related to student needs.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of assessments, interventions, and student progress to meet College and Division standards of practice, support team communication, and track student outcomes of intervention.
• Prepare and submit paperwork to external organizations (health specialists, Alberta Aids to Daily Living) that support students’ families with funding for adaptive equipment required at school.
• Intervention Services (35%)
• Provide clinical supervision, therapeutic goals, modeling and coaching to therapeutic assistants for occupational therapy, who act as an extension of the occupational therapist in the classroom
• Create intervention plans that encompass strategies, equipment, and staff coaching required to maximize student access, participation, independence, and engagement in all school environments.
• Monitor and adjust interventions based on student progress and team feedback through regular visits to promote success of student interventions.
• Apply the principles of universal design for learning, inclusion, neurodiversity-affirming practices and trauma-sensitive practices in all aspects of services, including assessment, intervention and documentation.
• Advocate for students and support staff in creating safe, caring school environments that promote inclusion, belonging and participation for students at higher risk of marginalization (physical differences, neurodivergence or other needs).
• Collaboration and Consultation (15%)
• Collaborate with teachers, parents, multi-disciplinary team, and other professionals to develop and implement therapy intervention plans tailored to students’ individual strengths, needs and context to support success.
• Provide families with student assessment reports or letters to initiate referrals for health assessment or services (neuro-developmental clinics, feeding and swallowing clinics, Family Services of Children with Disabilities, other).
• Collaborate with outside partners such as Alberta Health Services, Alberta Aids to Daily Living, equipment vendors, and other services to support student assessment for adaptive equipment or other needs.
• Work with Inclusive Consultants…