Position Summary:
Under the direction of the Coordinating Supervisor of Special Education Support Programs and Related Services, the Instructional Specialist – Occupational Therapy is responsible for the development, coordination and implementation of county-wide occupational therapy (OT) services and programs. The responsibilities of this position include collaboration with school and administrative personnel for program planning and design, recruitment and retention of staff, staffing assignments and professional development. Observation and evaluation of therapists is required. The Instructional Specialist will ensure the occupational therapy program is in compliance with federal, state and local mandates.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Provides service delivery and compliance support for occupational therapists;
- Collaborates with personnel in Human Resources regarding the hiring of Occupational Therapists;
- Provides coordination and general oversight for occupational therapy services from itinerant therapists, including assignments of caseloads;
- Conducts staff observations and evaluations, and makes recommendations as needed;
- Assesses the needs of students receiving occupational therapy services to facilitate Individual Education Program (IEP) development; provides general oversight of the implementation of the IEPs for students receiving occupational therapy services;
- Identifies and promotes best practices relative to the provision of occupational therapy services;
- Provides professional development regarding occupational therapy service delivery and resources, as needed;
- Participates in the Occupational Therapist/Physical Therapist steering committee;
- Collaborates with schools and Maintenance/Facilities Departments in the development of architectural and/or environmental modifications and 504 accessibility plans;
- Collaborates with the Medicaid Office on data collection, billing and reimbursement;
- Attends special education leadership meetings and imparts pertinent information to program staff;
- Maintains database of services;
- Submits all required reports to federal, state and local agencies, including the Department of Special Education;
- Develops priorities and expenditures within the predetermined budget allocation; and
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- Ability to work cooperatively with students, staff, parents, and community;
- Experience working effectively with students, including individuals with exceptional needs and/or other special student populations;
- Knowledge of the instructional needs and therapeutic interventions needed to meet the needs of students with physical and developmental disabilities;
- Knowledge of options for meeting the needs of students in the least restrictive environment;
- Knowledge of state standards, benchmarks and alternative assessments;
- Knowledge of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) regulations pertinent to occupational therapy;
- Demonstrated leadership abilities;
- Ability to collaborate effectively with Individualized Education Program (IEP) teams, other school staff, administration and providers from other service agencies;
- Experience working with computers and other technology; and
- Demonstrated skills in effective human relations and in oral and written communications.
Education and/or Experience Requirements:
Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in special education, occupational therapy or a closely related field required. A minimum of five (5) years of occupational therapy experience required.
Certification:
Maryland Occupational Therapy license. Holds or is eligible for a valid professional license in Administrator I (historical) or Supervisor of Instruction, Assistant Principal, or Principal issued by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE).
Supervisory Responsibilities:
Observation and evaluation of therapists is required.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, talk, hear, walk, sit, and use fingers, tools or controls. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision such as to read handwritten or typed material, the ability to adjust focus, and depth perception. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally push or lift up to 25 lbs.
Working Environment:
The work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job.
Additional Information:
None.
