Occupational Therapist

Responsibilities and Activities

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.

1. 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.

2. 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).

3. 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 to problem-solve issues related to providing students with access to the school.

4. Professional Development and Staff Training (10%)

- Provide individual training to school staff on equipment, strategies, best practices, and staff/student safety techniques to support successful implementation of therapy goals.

- Create professional development training for groups of professionals (educators, support staff, others) on topics within scope to meet staff needs.

- Participate in ongoing professional development by attending workshops, training, and engaging in self-directed learning to enhance professional knowledge, skills and provision of high-quality services to students.

Knowledge, Skills, and Competencies

Knowledge:

- Master’s degree or equivalent in occupational therapy with current registration with the Alberta College of Occupational Therapists.

- At least 3 years’ experience working with pediatric clients is preferred.

- Registered equipment authorizer with Alberta Aids to Daily Living preferred, with some positions requiring Speech Generating Communication Devices (SGCD) authorizer status.

- In-depth understanding of occupational therapy assessment, diagnosis, and intervention strategies for children with physical conditions, neuro-developmental differences and mental disorders.

- Comprehensive knowledge of child development, and considerations of disability on learning and participation in school.

- Experience with adaptive equipment and assistive devices, including selection, fitting, and maintenance.

- Knowledge of how to integrate occupational therapy strategies into students’ natural classroom/school environments and routines effectively.

- General knowledge of the Division’s operations and business and general understanding of the Division’s mission and vision in a faith-based environment.

- Knowledge of records management principles, the Protection of Privacy Act (POPA), and the Access to Information Act (ATIA).

- Knowledge of workplace safety and awareness of Occupational Health and Safety regulations.

- Knowledge and alignment with the Division's administrative procedures.

Skills:

- Proficiency in administering, scoring, and interpreting standardized and non-standardized pediatric occupational therapy assessments.

- Ability to develop and implement intervention plans tailored to each student's abilities, strengths, and needs.

- Ability to apply principles of inclusion, trauma-sensitive practices and neurodiversity-affirming practices

- Strong collaboration skills to work effectively with administrators, teachers, support staff, parents, multi-disciplinary team member and partners from external organizations.

- Strong verbal and written communication skills for interacting with students, parents, school staff, and external professionals.

- Capability to provide training, coaching and consultation to school staff on best practices to support school teams.

Competencies:

- Strong problem-solving skills to identify and address barriers to students' daily living activities and participation.

- Adaptability to work with a diverse range of students with varying abilities, needs, and conditions.

- Competence in maintaining accurate and up-to-date records of assessment, interventions, and student progress.

- Leadership skills to guide and support educators and therapeutic assistants in implementing occupational therapy strategies.

- Commitment to ongoing professional development to stay current with best practices in occupational therapy and practice in schools

- Strong student advocacy skills with team members as well as external partners, such as advocating for further health assessment or home services.

What We Offer

- Make a real difference: Your expertise directly impacts the success of the division’s administrators, teachers, students, and parents.

- Be part of a dynamic team: Be part of a collaborative team that works with many diverse groups and builds meaningful connections.

- Continuous learning: Embrace new technologies and challenges, growing your technical skillset through provided training opportunities.

- Competitive salary and pension.

- 100% employer-paid benefits, including: Health, Vision, and Dental.

- A Health/Wellness Spending Account.

- EFAP – Employee and Family Assistance Program.

- Paid Time Off, including vacation time, personal days, and Christmas break.

- 7-hour workdays, 35 hours per week for a 1.0 FTE.

* Please note, the current salary range for this position is $73,562 - $91,966. The salary range provided includes a market supplement that will be reviewed on an annual basis, as outlined in our OOS Terms and Conditions.

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