Occupational Therapist – K-12 setting
Why choose Cooperative Educational Services (CES)?
CES is a leading provider of Ancillary Services to K-12 schools throughout the state of New Mexico. CES strives to be recognized as one of the best cooperative service agencies in the country and the provider of choice in New Mexico. As an Occupational Therapist with CES, you will work among leading providers to help CES achieve this goal. CES offers a very competitive pay rate.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities of a school-based Occupational Therapist
CES is seeking a licensed, experienced Occupational Therapists to provide school-based services.
The role of the Occupational Therapist is to:
- 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:
- Teaching daily living skills
- Developing perceptual motor skills and sensory integrative functioning
- Developing play skills and prevocational and leisure capabilities
- Using specifically designed crafts and exercises to enhance functional performance
- Adapting environments for the handicapped
A typical week of an Occupational Therapist may include:
- One-on-one or group speech therapy sessions
- Participation in the review of existing evaluation data from various sources (including independent evaluations) to consider what, if any, additional data are needed to determine a student’s eligibility for special education and related services.
- Conducting initial evaluations and re-evaluations that comply with state evaluation guidelines
- Development and or contribution to an Individualized Educational Program (IEP)
- Attendance at IEP meetings
- Consultation with staff, teachers, family, and other ancillary service providers
- Documentation of services using district chosen platforms
A highly successful Occupational Therapist candidate should have:
- 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 the New Mexico Technical Evaluation and Assessment Manual (NM TEAM) and the NM TEAM: Identification of Dyslexia Supplemental Narrative and Worksheet. Additionally, the OT must have or be willing to gain knowledge in developing quality IEPS. All manuals referenced above can be found at: https://webnew.ped.state.nm.us/bureaus/special-education/technical-manuals/
Qualifications for an Occupational Therapist
- Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy
- New Mexico Regulation and Board License
- New Mexico Public Education Department license
- School based experience is preferred, but not required
- Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants welcome to apply as well. A slightly modified job description applies.
