Occupational Therapist – 6 months contract

At the International School Ho Chi Minh City we realize that the demands on 21st Century education dictate new roles for teachers in order to prepare students to be effective in a rapidly changing world.
The following job description outlines characteristics that ISHCMC believes an occupational therapist should exhibit and are important if they are to help students achieve their full potential at school.

The Qualities of an ISHCMC Occupational Therapist:

Professional Commitment
● Actively collaborates with colleagues
● Models compassionate and caring behavior and shows an interest in student welfare
● Contributes to a united and effective professional team by exhibiting qualities of loyalty, tact, confidentiality, reliability, enthusiasm, efficiency and hard work
● Is a good example to students in terms of IB Learner Profile, attitudes, dress, conduct, manners and punctuality

Scope of Practice
● Responsible for addressing the barriers to occupational performance for Primary and Secondary students in the school context so that they can engage in any and all occupations that are meaningful and necessary for them with the least amount of restriction and the maximum amount of access and participation.
● Administers occupational therapy assessments to determine a student’s level of functioning in meaningful areas of school life such areas as fine/gross motor skill development, sensory-processing, executive functioning, and activities of daily living at school. This might include assessments for IB accommodations.
● Provides students with individual treatment and/or group therapy to improve functional abilities within the school and naturalistic settings, in collaboration with teachers and support teams.
● Interventions are best placed in the least restrictive environment and ideal in the social context of the classroom, school facility or playground in a sustainable, real-time manner.
● Monitors and reassess occupational therapy goals and the need to continue, modify, or discontinue intervention.

Indirect Services and Administrative Responsibilities
● Creates OT plans identifying the student’s needs and proposed goals. Updated/refined on an ongoing basis.
● Create accommodation plans.
● Session planning to support therapy goals.
● Maintain ongoing progress note records.
● Collaborates as part of a multidisciplinary team (involving consultation with involved stakeholders, attending team meetings, working with families and external providers).
● Advises on environmental support for the classroom to enhance functional performance of the student, addressing the student’s needs.
● Provides recommendations for key decision makers on universal environmental school design, and assistive/supported devices/equipment needed to enhance student access, in order to inform budget planning.
● Educates educational personnel, and family to facilitate student skills in areas of school-based functioning.
● Prioritizes and schedules work tasks independently.
● Maintains clinical and administrative records in accordance with professional standards and school system policy.
● Reviews occupational therapy services for quality improvement and makes changes as needed
to ensure quality of services.
● Provides in-services professional for staff, parents, and community based service providers.

Communication
● Uses language that helps students see their own possibility and potential, encouraging students
to perform in ways that are consistent with that language
● Creates a positive learning environment by the careful choice of language
● Recognises the importance of communicating through different languages and mediums
● Communicate openly with students and parents
● Is diplomatic and discreet in all professional dealings with parents
● Uses the School directed mediums for communication

Minimum Qualifications
● A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with coursework in occupational
therapy or a related field
● Three years of clinical experience in ideally school-based, and/or pediatric therapy with
emphasis on supporting learners with developmental disabilities in an inclusive context.
● Registered with the Health Professionals Council and/or Occupational Therapy Association from
the country in which qualification was obtained. Annual fee/requirement renewal of licensure
with registered board.

Professional Development
● Reflective about their own practice by setting meaningful goals and seeking appropriate
professional development to achieve them
● Participates in performance review and appraisal
● Is connected through learning networks, sharing and collaborating ideas and resources
This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected. It is not designed to cover
or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required by the incumbent. 
The incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as required.

Position Requirements

The job holder’s responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons for whom s/he is responsible, or with whom s/he comes into contact will be to adhere to and ensure compliance with the relevant Cognita Safeguarding; Child Protection Policy and Procedures at all times. If in the course of carrying out the duties of the role, the job holder identifies any instance that a child is suffering or likely to suffer significant harm either at school or at home, s/he must report any concerns to the School’s Designated Safeguarding Lead or to the Head of School or indeed to the Regional CEO or Safeguarding Manager - Asia so that a referral can be made accordingly to the statutory services.

Terms of Employment

Cognita Schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, volunteers and other third parties to share this commitment. Safer recruitment practice and pre-employment background checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. Appointment is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check for regulated activity (if the candidate has lived in the UK) and/or criminal/police or equivalent background checks for all other countries inhabited (irrespective of whether you worked in those countries).

Number of Contract Days

The approximate number of teacher contract days is 198.

Starting Salary Range

All new teachers commence employment on a maximum of Step 9 on our salary scale. The step is determined by the number of years of teaching you have previously completed.

Taxes

Taxes are paid by the employee up to 35%.

Savings Potential

A Single teacher usually saves between US$20 000 depending on their lifestyle.
A Teaching Couple usually saves up to US$30 000 depending on their lifestyle.
A Family (one teacher) can save up to US$10 000 depending on their lifestyle.

Accommodation

A 'Housing Allowance' of up to US$1, 300 per Single Teacher or 2,040USD per Teaching Couple per month is provided.
Taxable income, to be paid with the monthly salary.
A 'Settling In Allowance' of $920USD per Single Teacher or 1,391USD per Teaching Couple is paid.
Taxable income, to be paid during orientation.
USD is estimated as the amount is fixed in VND.
Location introduction:
The An Phu/ Thao Dien area in District 2, where the two ISHCMC campuses are located, is HCMC's most popular area for expatriate professionals to live. It is a peaceful, warm and family-friendly area that is just a short drive from the hustle and bustle of the city center. The tree-lined streets of Thao Dien offer a variety of boutique stores and spas, gourmet grocery shops, bakeries, butchers, fishmongers as well as many restaurants and cafes. Daily, residents can be seen walking and cycling the streets and enjoying the village environment and strong community spirit of the An Phu/ Thao Dien neighborhood.

Flights/Transport

Return airfares are provided annually. One-way economy ticket for relocation/repatriation, a return economy ticket for an annual home visit, non-taxable and to be paid directly to the school's appointed travel agent.

Utilities

Utilities are to be covered by the employee.

Furniture

With regard to furniture there are plenty of options as many properties are available either fully furnished, partly furnished or unfurnished. Furniture is relatively cheap and functional in Vietnam and many of our teachers leave with more furniture than they arrived with

Moving Allowance

A 'Moving Allowance' of up to $ 1,830USD per Single Teacher or 2,739USD per Teaching Couple is paid for relocation and $2,770USD per Single Teacher or 4,087USD per Teaching Couple for repatriation.
Non-taxable income, to be paid directly to the school's appointed local shipper.
USD is estimated as the amount is fixed in VND.

Dependent Opportunities

The school will provide tuition free of charge for up to two dependent children.

Medical

Health Insurance is provided by the employer.
This package is considered to be comprehensive for all of the world, except the USA, Singapore and HK.

Dental

Dental Insurance is provided by the employer.

Disability

Long Term Disability Insurance is not provided by the employer.

Other

Cognita Schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, volunteers and other third parties to share this commitment. Safer recruitment practice and pre-employment background checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. An expatriate employee is required to successfully obtain a working permit in Vietnam with several documents needing to be properly notorised, authenticated and legalised. School HR will provide full relocation services.