Occupational Therapist

The Centre is seeking to recruit an Occupational Therapist with training and experience in diagnostic and therapeutic services for full time employment. We are currently accepting applications from across the region.

 Occupational Therapist

The Mico University College Child Assessment and Research in Education (CARE) Centre is a public facility that provides diagnostic assessment and therapeutic and academic intervention to children who present with challenges that affect learning. The Centre is seeking to recruit an Occupational Therapist with training and experience in diagnostic and therapeutic services for full time employment. 

The Occupational Therapist is responsible for: 

I     Diagnosing and documenting the motor functioning of children in relationship to their sensory-motor, neuro-psychological and cognitive characteristics.

• By interpreting the data contained in the case history of the child sent by the referral agency, the reports of the Educator, Social Worker, Psychologist and Nurse.
• By assessing the child’s capabilities using appropriate sensory-motor and other relevant tests.
• By carefully observing each child to determine fine/gross motor functioning, sensory-motor integration and impact of cognitive impairment and/or emotional disturbances on the fine/gross motor functioning both in controlled and free field situations.
• By interviewing parents, teachers and other relevant personnel to arrive at a comprehensive evaluation of the child’s functional skills.
• By preparing reports on each case and presenting same weekly to Case Manager.
• By presenting findings on the child at the case conference.
• By sharing findings with parents in a way that is easily understood.

II    Developing training and therapeutic strategies designed to correct the particular difficulties of children. .

• By translating the interpretation of the child’s impairment into behavioural terms.
• By creating and administering therapeutic conditions to bring about the desired development.
• By trying out the strategy with the child under controlled circumstances.
• By evaluating the effectiveness of the trials in terms of the results achieved.
• By continuing the trial and evaluation process until successful strategies are found.  By modifying the strategies in the light of the evaluation and in the case of inappropriate strategies, to devise new ones.

III   Developing prescriptive training procedures for parents/guardians and teachers of children referred to the Centre for those parts of the therapy that require the specific skills of the Occupational Therapist.

• By recording in writing the training programme that can be used to be successful with the child.
• By training the parents/guardians and the teacher of the child to execute this programme.
• By evaluating the effectiveness of the use of this strategy by the parents and teachers with the child.
• By continuing to give therapy to those children who have left the Centre but need maintenance therapy in order to ensure that the acquired improvements are not lost.
• By collaborating with other clinicians to whom the child is assigned during the time the child is enrolled in another intervention at the Centre.

IV    Supervising the clinical experience of the students enrolled at tertiary institutions.

• By demonstrating techniques, approaches and various practices to students or interns at the Centre
• By involving the students/interns in highly structured activities in which they are required to develop particular skills or learn different approaches.
• By observing and monitoring the performance of the students/interns in the execution of these various tasks.
• By evaluating the work of the students/intern in the execution of such tasks, as required.

V    Keeping abreast of the latest developments and best knowledge available in Occupational Therapy.

• By attending conferences, workshops and seminars in Jamaica and abroad.
• By subscribing to and reading the latest journals reporting on new developments in the field of Occupational Therapy.
• By maintaining membership in professional associations.
• Engaging in research and development of articles and other material for publications at the Centre.

VI   Performing other relevant duties, as may be required from time to time in the interest of the organization and its clients.

Qualifications and Experience:

1. Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy.
2. Three years’ experience in pediatric occupational therapy
3. Three (3) months orientation to the field of Special Education.