Gaffney High School - Occupational Therapist (2026-2027 School Year)

Job Description

JOB TITLE: OCCUPATIONAL/PHYSICAL THERAPIST

GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB

Under occasional supervision, provides professional services to help students overcome or compensate for deficiencies in occupational performance areas and gain optimum benefit from district special services. This position is under the general supervision of the Director of Special Services. This position is responsible for the daily supervision and coordination of student occupational therapy services for the district, ensuring compliance with policies, procedures, laws, regulations, Individualized Education Plan (IEP) requirements, and safety standards. Supervises and evaluates the work of assigned Occupational therapist assistants.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Coordinates, with members of a multidisciplinary team, individual strategies, accommodations and the use of adaptive equipment.

Plans, coordinates and provides occupational therapy treatment sessions based on evaluation findings and recommendations under the supervision of a licensed occupational therapist, trains students in the appropriate use of adaptive equipment.

Prepares and submits accurate and complete documentation of all assigned cases; prepare daily progress notes.

Communicates with school personnel and parents as needed to discuss student progress and concerns.

Trains staff in appropriate intervention techniques with individual students.

Supervises the transportation of students to and from occupational therapy.

Maintains awareness and expertise in current professional research, trends and methodologies as they apply to school occupational therapy services; attends training, conferences, workshops, etc. as appropriate to enhance job knowledge and skills.

Receives and responds to inquiries, concerns and complaints from staff, parents, medical personnel and students regarding occupational therapy services.

Operates a vehicle, power wheelchair, manual wheelchair, and a variety of office equipment such as a computer, printer, fax machine, copier, calculator, telephone, audio-visual equipment, etc.; uses splints, braces, other adaptive equipment and occupational therapy supplies, clerical / copier / computer supplies, small hand tools, etc.

Interacts and communicates with various groups and individuals such as the immediate supervisor, coworkers, other district / school administrators and staff, students, parents, medical professionals, community /government agencies, vendors, and the public.

Performs routine administrative/office tasks as required, including copying and filing documents, answering the telephone, sending and receiving faxes, entering and retrieving computer data, ordering supplies, etc.

Performs other related duties as required.

MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

Requires certification as a licensed occupational therapist months of occupational therapy work experience under the direct supervision of a licensed occupational therapist.

Must possess current licensure as an occupational therapy by the South Carolina Board of Occupational Therapy. Must possess a valid state driver's license.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Physical Requirements: Duties are performed in an office or clinic setting with no significant exposure to adverse environmental conditions. Physical demands are restricted to medium work requiring frequent lifting/moving of items between 20 and 50 pounds. Requires standing or sitting for sustained periods of time; walking or moving from one work site to another; manual dexterity to pick, pinch, type, or otherwise work primarily with fingers e.g., routine keyboard operations; mental acuity including the ability to make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes; hearing to receive detailed information and to make the discrimination in sound; and the ability to express ideas by means of the spoken word and have close visual acuity. Other physical abilities that may be required: balancing, crouching, handling, kneeling, pushing/pulling, reaching, repetitive motion, and stooping.

Data Conception: Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether like or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people, or things.

Interpersonal Communication: Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes the receiving of information and instructions from supervisor and giving information and instructions to students.

Language Ability: Requires ability to read a variety of policy and procedure manuals, literary materials, reference materials, technical manuals, etc. Requires the ability to prepare reports, records, notices, etc., with proper format, punctuation, spelling and grammar, using all parts of speech. Requires the ability to speak with and before others with poise, voice control and confidence.

Intelligence: Requires the ability to apply principles of rational systems to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists; to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in oral, written, diagrammatic or schedule form. Requires the ability to learn and understand relatively complex principles and techniques; to make routine independent judgments in absence of supervision; to acquire knowledge of topics related to primary occupation. Must have the ability to comprehend and interpret received information.

Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow verbal and written instructions; to teach students. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently with students, teachers and other staff using technical and/or professional languages including library studies, instructional technology, etc.

Numeric Aptitude: Requires the ability to add and subtract totals, to multiply and divide, to use mathematical formulas, to determine percentages and decimals and to determine time. Must be able to use practical applications of fractions, percentages, ratio and proportion.

Form/Spatial Aptitude: Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width, and shape.

Motor Coordination: Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes in using office equipment.

Manual Dexterity: Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, office equipment, control knobs, switches, etc. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.

Color Discrimination: Requires the ability to differentiate colors and shades of color.

Interpersonal Temperament: Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress when confronted with emergency situations or tight deadlines. The worker may be subject to tension as a regular, consistent part of the job.

Physical Communications: Requires the ability to talk and hear: (talking: expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing: perceiving nature of sounds by ear).

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Knowledge of Job: Has knowledge of the methods, procedures and policies of the assigned school and Cherokee County School District as they pertain to the performance of duties of the Occupational/Physical Therapist. Is knowledgeable in the laws, ordinances, standards and regulations pertaining to the specific duties and responsibilities of the position.

Knowledge of the organization of the district. Knowledge of the theories, methods, practices and materials of occupational therapy. Knowledge of the areas of special education, special needs assessment, pediatric rehabilitation, etc.; knowledge of related physical and speech therapy. Knowledge of the terminology and various professional languages used within the department.

Knowledge of proper English usage, grammar, punctuation and spelling; has the mathematical ability to handle required calculations. Knowledge of and ability to use modern office practices and equipment, including computers. Ability to make sound, educated decisions. Ability to plan and develop daily, short- and long-term goals related to District purposes.

Ability to take the initiative to complete the duties of the position without the need of direct supervision. Ability to plan, organize and prioritize daily assignments and work activities. Ability to interpret and take into consideration evaluations and recommendations of psychologists and medical professionals.

Ability to review standardized test results and use results appropriately in therapy treatment planning processes. Ability to plan and implement effective occupational therapy strategies in cooperation with other special services team members. Ability to develop effective relationships with assigned students. Ability to properly lift, carry, handle and otherwise work with medically fragile children. Ability to maintain effective relationships with personnel of other departments, professionals and members of the public through contact and cooperation. Ability to provide effective leadership and coordination as assigned. Ability to offer training and assistance to co-workers and employees of other departments as required. Ability to read and interpret complex materials pertaining to the responsibilities of the job. Ability to assemble and analyze information and make written records in a concise, clear and effective manner. Ability to react calmly and quickly in emergency situations; ability to handle volatile situations calmly and professionally. Ability to learn and utilize new skills and information to improve job performance and efficiency.

Can take the initiative to complete the duties of the position without the need of direct supervision. Has the ability to plan, organize and prioritize daily assignments and work activities.

Is skilled in applying a responsible attention to detail as necessary in preparing records, reports and correspondence. Can read and interpret various materials pertaining to the responsibilities of the job.

Knows how to perform duties in a courteous manner and with the utmost integrity in the best interest of the public. Knows how to maintain effective relationships with students, teachers, co-workers, personnel of other departments and members of the public through contact and cooperation.

Has knowledge of the occupational hazards and safety precautions of the position. Can effectively perform assigned duties despite frequent interruptions. Knows how to react calmly and quickly in emergency situations. Has the ability to learn and utilize new skills and information to improve job performance and efficiency.

Quality of Work: Maintains high standards of accuracy in exercising duties and responsibilities. Exercises immediate remedial action to correct any quality deficiencies that occur in areas of responsibility. Maintains high quality communication and interaction with internal and external entities with whom the position interacts.

Quantity of Work: Performs described Essential Functions and related assignments efficiently and effectively to produce quantity of work which consistently meets established standards and expectations.

Dependability: Assumes responsibility for completing assigned work. Completes assigned work within deadlines in accordance with directives, policy, standards and prescribed procedures. Maintains accountability for assigned responsibilities in the technical, human and conceptual areas.

Attendance: Attends and remains at work regularly and adheres to policies and procedures regarding absenteeism and tardiness. Provides adequate notice to higher management with respect to vacation time and leave requests.

Initiative and Enthusiasm: Maintains an enthusiastic, self-reliant and self-starting approach to meet job responsibilities and accountabilities. Strives to anticipate work to be accomplished and initiates proper and acceptable action for the completion of work with a minimum of supervision and instruction.

Judgment: Exercises analytical judgment in areas of responsibility. Identifies issues or situations as they occur and specifies decision objectives. Identifies or assists in identifying alternative solutions to issues or situations. Implements decisions in accordance with prescribed and effective policies and procedures and with a minimum of errors. Seeks expert or experienced advice where appropriate and researches issues, situations and alternatives before exercising judgment.

Cooperation: Accepts supervisory instruction and direction and strives to meet the goals and objectives of same. Questions such instruction and direction when clarification of results or consequences are justified, i.e., poor communications, variance with established policies or procedures, etc. Offers suggestions and recommendations to encourage and improve cooperation intra- and inter-departmentally.

Relationships with Others: Shares knowledge with managers, supervisors and co-workers for mutual benefit. Contributes to maintaining high morale among all employees. Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships inter- and intra-departmentally, and with external entities with whom the position interacts. Tactfully and effectively handles requests, suggestions and complaints to establish and maintain good will. Emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive image.

Coordination of Work: Plans and organizes daily work routine. Establishes priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound time-management methodology. Avoids duplication of effort. Estimates expected time of completion of work elements and establishes a personal schedule accordingly. Attends required meetings, planning sessions and discussions on time. Implements work activity in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules.

Safety and Housekeeping: Adheres to all established safety and housekeeping standards. Ensures such standards are not violated.

DISCLAIMER: This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice.

Cherokee County School District does not discriminate against any individual on the basis of race, religion, sex, color, disability, age, national origin, or any other applicable status protected by local, state, or federal law. The district also provides equal access to the Boy Scouts of America and other designated youth groups as required by law.