Feeding Specialist will provide Feeding Therapy with a holistic and trans-disciplinary approach to clients in an effort to improve their developmental feeding skills, nutrition/growth, and functional performance around mealtimes/snacks. This includes providing direct therapy with clients, support and education to the client’s family, working with the medical team (may include assisting in management of Gastrostomy or Nasogastric tube feedings), recording clinical and progress notes, and evaluating clients’ progress. The Feeding Specialist will work with clients who may have the following diagnoses: Sensory Processing Disorder, ADHD, motor coordination difficulties, Autism Spectrum Disorders, multiple medical complications, genetic syndromes, and other developmental, learning and behavioral difficulties. STAR provides therapies for clients of all ages.  

DUTIES

• Participating in Trans-disciplinary Feeding Evaluations as the Team Member responsible for assessing and reporting on the children’s sensory motor, sensory, and postural functioning; and assisting in creation of a treatment plan
• Consulting with other Team Members regarding their concerns with client’s Feeding skills
• Providing individual, dyadic, and group Feeding Therapy using the SOS approach to Feeding
• Communicating as needed to client’s medical team, potentially including physician, Gastroenterologist, pediatrician, allergist, and/or other treating Specialist
• Meet regularly with client’s parent or guardian (if client is a minor) to assure that treatment is meeting quality standards and client’s needs
• Conduct intakes with potential clients and make recommendations for treatment
• Assist clients in the gym while performing activities of all types
• Review intakes and medical records to thoroughly understand a client’s individual case, concerns, and needs
• Find and gather materials for use in therapy and clean and repair these materials after therapy sessions
• Find ways, or easier ways, for clients to perform daily tasks and design and prescribe assistive activities or devices
• Communicate regularly and thoroughly with supervisors, peers and subordinates in written form and in person
• Support the Feeding Team administratively, as needed

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy from a program that has been accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education or the American OT Association
• Eligibility for or current licensure by the applicable state agency
• Completion of at least the Basic SOS Approach to Feeding training workshop and have been treating children with feeding difficulties for at least 1 year
• At least 2 years of Occupational Therapy experience, previous clinical experience and work with children preferred

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Propensity to empathize with another’s experience
• Ability to use judgment and experience to plan and accomplish goals
• A certain degree of creativity
• Knowledge of and openness to individual differences in ability, personality, and interests
• Time management skills
• Effective written expression and oral communication skills
• Possess the disposition and personality to work harmoniously with a wide variety of people and all levels of staff, and to interact professionally as a member of a multi-disciplinary team
• Integrity of self and the use of good judgment to handle the professional and confidential nature of assignments and cases
• Flexibility to adapt to changing organizational needs
• Commitment and passion for Institute’s mission
• Must enjoy playing and having fun