Title: Occupational Therapist (2024-25SY)
Location: Chicago, IL
Reports To: Director of Student Services
Salary: Starting at $64,000, commensurate with experience
Employee Type: Regular Full Time
Start Date: August 2024

Distinctive Schools creates diverse, joyful, welcoming communities rooted in social justice and rigorous learning. We support all learners to be engaged, curious, and to achieve their full potential. Our students become confident advocates, creative problem-solvers, and collaborative leaders.

Position Overview

A Distinctive Schools Occupational Therapist leads the process in development, implementation, and coordination of occupational therapy services in the school. Screening, evaluation, educational programming and transition planning, therapeutic intervention, and exit planning is provided for students identified with or suspected of having disabilities that interfere with their ability to perform daily life activities or participate in necessary or desired occupations.

Responsibilities

Compliance

• Understand current legislation, regulations, policies, litigation, and ethical issues related to the provision of educational therapy services
• Maintain strong knowledge of typical motor/sensory, cognitive, and social developmental characteristics
• Demonstrate knowledge of rights to privacy, confidentiality, and respect for differences among all persons interacting with individuals with disabilities
• Maintain accurate records (Maintain an inventory of materials, assessments, and supplies)
• Daily progress notes
• Weekly documentation of all services delivered
• Quarterly report of student achievement (IEP report cards)

Teamwork

• Collaborate with other service providers to ensure team understanding of student motor and sensory performance strengths and needs
• Consult with school personnel/IEP team members regarding educational goals and the implication of medical/physical issues
• Provide in-service and consults with staff regarding appropriate use of equipment, sensory interventions and safety procedures
• Work collaboratively with community agencies and outside therapists

Planning and Implementation

• Demonstrate thorough planning and preparation, extensive skill and knowledge in the area of Occupational Therapy
• Understand characteristics of individuals with disabilities across the age range
• Plan and implement evidenced-based therapy appropriately
• Develop observable/measurable goals that identify current levels of ability/performance and expected outcomes
• Develop short and long-range plans consistent with curriculum/personal goals, learners' diversity, and learning theory
• Utilize strong organizational skills and flexibility to establish and maintain appropriate schedules for direct service, consultation, meetings, and assessment
• Effectively utilize a variety of therapy strategies for adapting or modifying the general curriculum to meet the needs of individual students
• Deliver therapy sessions that are adequately paced allowing for ongoing adjustments
• Demonstrate strong knowledge of formal and informal assessment techniques
• Evaluate the student's ability and formulates the student's physical and sensory profile through a variety of means
• Establish clear and consistent procedures for all aspects of referrals and assessments in collaboration with administration and teachers
• Skillfully evaluate the environment on an ongoing basis and maintains a learning environment that meets the needs of students

Assessment

• Thoroughly document and record accurate student assessment data on an ongoing basis; respecting confidentiality
• Demonstrate strong understanding of data analysis, evaluation, and interpretation
• Synthesize evaluation results into a comprehensive written report
• Maintain appropriate documentation of family/teacher communications
• Provide frequent and appropriate information to families

Requirement (minimum)

Education: Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy

Qualifications: Experience in a school setting

Physical demands: Generally, the job requires 30% sitting, 50% walking, and 20% standing. Operate a computer, hand-held learning devices and other office equipment

Benefits

• 25 Paid holidays & 10 days PTO annually (in addition to summer break for educators/campus positions)
• 12 weeks family paid leave
• Comprehensive Healthcare (Medical, Dental, Vision)
• 403b match
  • Fully match up to 3%
  • 50% match up to 5%
• Professional development including tuition reimbursement
• Gym and wellness discounts
• And more

Description Disclaimer: Since no job description can detail all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time in the performance of a job, duties and responsibilities that may be inherent in a job, reasonably required for its performance, or required due to the changing nature of the job shall also be considered part of the jobholder's responsibility.

EEO: Distinctive Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other personal characteristic protected by applicable law.

Distinctive Schools is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with our commitment, Distinctive Schools will take the steps to assure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. Accordingly, if reasonable accommodation is required to fully participate in the job application or interview process, to perform the essential functions of the position, and/or to receive all other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact talent@distinctiveschools.org or call 773.828.4191