OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

Responsibilities

• Evaluate/screen referred students regarding the need for an occupational therapy program.
• Assist with classification and placement decisions by performing functional motor abilities assessments.
• Attend staffing to discuss student evaluations and/or progress.
• Implement appropriate intervention, based on evaluation results, to facilitate a student's optimum functioning and learning in the school environment.
• Develop therapeutic interventions, strategies, and equipment adaptations in collaboration with the educational team to address IEP goals.
• Update and assist with writing IEP goals and objectives as an educational team member.
• Participate in program planning within the therapy department.
• Perform paperwork related to Occupational Therapy services.
• Conduct inservices, upon request, with school personnel, parents, and other staff therapists.
• Consult with school personnel and parents regarding programs or activities they could implement.
• Absorb District administrative staff in recruitment of Occupational Therapy personnel.
• Maintain current and accepted competencies of practice in skills as required by program needs.
• Supervise a Certified Occupational Therapist (COTA) as requested by the OT/PT Department Chair.
• Write, in conjunction with the COTA, and based upon the COTA's written observations, all 3-year re-evaluations on students on the COTA's caseload.
• Discuss COTA's competencies with OT/PT Department Chair.
• Meet regularly, based on the COTA's competencies, to discuss Intervention Plans, possible IEP goals and strategies/interventions on the COTA's students.
• Maintain an inventory of materials and equipment that she/he has checked out and return materials at designated times.
• Maintain a schedule and inform the Director of Special Education and Principal of changes.
• Maintain student files of progress notes, attendance, anecdotal records, testing protocols, etc.
• Initial OT/COTA monthly supervision logs.
• Complete necessary Administrative paperwork (Medicaid, Administrative Outreach, conference requests) within noted timelines.

Qualifications

• Registered Occupational Therapist, licensed with the State of Illinois Department of Registration and Education.

Professional Responsibilities

• Perform paperwork related to Occupational Therapy services.
• Conduct inservices, upon request, with school personnel, parents, and other staff therapists to advance knowledge in Occupational Therapy and to communicate its value in improving school performance.
• Consult with school personnel and parents regarding programs or activities they could implement.
• Absorb District administrative staff in recruitment of Occupational Therapy personnel.
• Maintain current and accepted competencies of practice in skills as required by program needs by attending professional workshops, courses, conferences and in-services.

Additional Responsibilities

• Ability to physically manage students weighing from approximately 50 to 150 pounds, with assistance, when needed.
• Assist District administrative staff with compiling, purchasing and setting up equipment for O.T./P.T. room.
• Lift and relocate children/equipment as needed.
• Assist with self help and self care as needed.
• Sanitize materials/equipment in accordance with board policy.
• Perform other duties assigned by the Director of Special Education.