Full Job Description
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 44,000 students and 5,000 employees in 95 schools plus other sites.
Occupational Therapist
Position: Existing
Hours Per Week: 35
Department: Occupational Physical Therapy
FTE: 1
Position Status: Permanent
No Months Per Year: 10
Rate of Pay: $67,504 -$84,393
Employee Group: OOS
Posting Closing Date: 12/31/22
This is a 10 month position working only 35 hours a week with comprehensive benefits package.
The primary focus of the job is providing occupational therapy services to learners that qualify for supports from preschool to Grade 12. Another focus of the work is related to environmental barriers, trauma, neurological disorders, injuries and other factors. The incumbent is primarily responsible for the assessment, treatment and consultation services required as part of the Division’s early education program. The job addresses and identifies fine motor and gross motor, visual perception, sensory processing, trauma, mental health challenges and self- help issues that have been impacting the child’s performance at school.
Job Responsibilities
Administer, score and interpret standardized paediatrics occupational therapy assessments
Identify difficulties in fine motor, perceptual and sensory integration skills and mental heath challenges
Write assessments and treatment reports (year-end summaries, etc.) to share with parents and professionals within and outside of the Edmonton Catholic School system
Monitor student’s progress by providing ongoing observation of development in the areas of executive function, self-help skills, life skills, mental health challenges, fine motor skills, gross motor development, self-care, seating and mobility, AAC, socialization and engagement skills, in collaboration with other members of the inter-disciplinary team
Provide occupational therapy supports and intervention within the context of typical classroom activities (circle time, snack time, subject specific lessons, option classes, fine motor project time, physical education, etc.)
Generalize intervention strategies to all natural environments, which include programming for generalization in the classroom, home, and new environments
Develop and implement lessons and activities to target individual goals of students as outlined in Individual Program Plans
Direct and assist students in performing daily classroom routines, Lead instruction and activities with large and small groups of students
Devise and support parents in implementing strategies at home to permit carry-over of learning to home
Consult with other professionals (both within and outside of the Division) and coordinate additional services for students including seating and mobility, audiology referrals, feeding and swallowing referrals, and medical and home care referrals
Liaise closely with the school team, special needs assistants, therapists, social workers, specialists , consultants, adminstrators and parents who participate as part of each child’s program planning team
Create classroom and treatment schedules and lesson plans in collaboration with the classroom teacher
Participate in Individual Program Planning (IPP) meeting with other professionals and caregivers
Participate in professional development for parents, teachers, Educational Assistants and Therapeutic Assistants that model effective strategies within the discipline
Collaborate with other agencies to improve service delivery within the Division
Qualifications
Master of Science in Occupational Therapy or equivalent, with course work in assessment and treatment of fine motor, gross motor visual motor and mental health challenges.
General Register Practice Permit with the Alberta College of Occupational Therapist (ACOT) is mandatory
Experience working with students with multiple complex developmental and behavioural needs in an educational setting is an asset
In this multi-disciplinary setting, it is essential to be well informed in all disciplines (Speech Language, Physical, behavioural interventions, and psychology) to meet the needs of the whole child.
Knowledge of paediatric assessment/intervention approaches as well as sensory processing is strongly recommended
Knowledge of facilitation, coaching, consultation and instructional techniques and principles.
Knowledge of selection and design methods of alternative and augmentative communication systems is beneficial
Knowledge of community resources to meet student’s individual needs
Knowledge of workplace safety including an awareness of Occupational Health and Safety regulations
General knowledge of the Division’s operations and business
Advanced problem solving, assessment and analytical skills
Skills to facilitate the consultant role through education, training and assisting other professionals and caregivers
Strong demonstration and oral presentation skills
Strong leadership skills and the ability to influence decision making.
Ability to establish rapport and trust in working relationships with administration, teachers, families, and community agencies
Superior oral and written communications skills including the ability to write detailed reports
Ability to communicate highly technical information to parents and others outside of the profession
Strong time management, organizational and planning skills and the ability to prioritize responsibilities
Closing Date - This position remains open until filled.
