Occupational Therapist (OT)

Duties/Responsibilities of an OT:

• Evaluate students in the areas of neuromuscular, sensory processing, fine motor, perceptual motor, and self-help skills, postural reflexes, self-care, and needs to adaptive devices and equipment
• Plan and assess the progress of students as they progress through their therapeutic plans which may include:
  1. Teaching daily living skills
  2. Developing perceptual motor skills and sensory integrative functioning
  3. Developing play skills and prevocational and leisure capabilities
  4. Using specifically designed craft and exercises to enhance functional performance
  5. Adapting environments for the handicapped

Week in the Life of an OT:

• One-on-one therapy sessions
• Group occupational therapy sessions
• Contributing to the analysis of existing evaluation data from a variety of sources, including independent evaluations, to decide what additional data is needed to ascertain what additional data is needed to determine student eligibility for special education and related services.
• Conducting initial evaluations and re-evaluations that comply with state evaluation guidelines
• Developing quality IEPS
• Development and or contribution to an Individualized Educational Program (IEP)
• Attendance at IEP meetings
• Consultation with staff, teachers, family, and other service providers
• Documentation of services

Qualifications for an OT:

• Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy
• New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department (NM Board License)
• New Mexico Public Education Department License (NM PED License)
• School based experience is preferred, but not required
• Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants welcome to apply as well; a slightly modified job description applies
• Working knowledge of Federal and State laws governing Special Education and adherence to those laws
• Prior knowledge or be willing to develop knowledge of the requirements set forth in Technical Evaluation and Assessment Manual (NM TEAM 2017) and the NM TEAM Dyslexia Manual
• The OT must have or be willing to gain knowledge in developing quality IEPs