Title: Occupational Therapist

Minimum Qualifications:

• Current Illinois Licensure and/or Certification appropriate to the position
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy (OTR/L) from an accredited college or university.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in a public school as an occupational therapist or pediatric related therapy preferred.

 Accountable to:

• Director of Student Services, Building Administrators

 Primary Objective:

• Under the general supervision of the building administration and the Director of Student Services, to provide occupational therapy services to students and their educational teams.

 Major Areas of Accountability*:

• Design the individualized education plan (IEP) for each assigned student consistent with the total educational philosophy of the district, Common Core State Standards and state and federal law.
• Design learning experiences and utilize adaptive devices/technology to provide access to general curricular content to individuals with disabilities.
• Collaborate with colleagues in planning and constructing benchmark lessons, instructional interventions and/or programs.
• Provide direct services as needed to assigned students on caseload.
• Use appropriate assessment instruments pertinent to academic, motor, and sensory areas.
• Identify, select, and modify instructional resources to meet the needs of the students with varying backgrounds, learning styles, and assessed special needs in accordance with the district's philosophy, goals and objectives.
• Provide specialized instructional techniques and media through individual and/or group sessions designed to meet the educational, motor, and sensory needs of the students.
• Participate on the school-based intervention team, in-school staffing team and in the screening processes, as appropriate.
• Monitor and oversee services provided by paraprofessionals and/or other support personnel assigned to classroom and/or student in classroom.
• Establish techniques and procedures that result in an atmosphere for teaching/learning in which students can grow in their capacity for self-discipline.
• Establish two-way communication with parents, students, and fellow staff members in an honest, positive and constructive manner.
• Fulfill the requirements of attendance, punctuality, reliability, and responsibility with regard to school building and school district policies and procedures.
• Understand and accept students as individual human beings with dignity and worth, and helps them improve their self-image by helping them grow in their understanding of their capabilities and limitations.
• Demonstrate the knowledge and ability to plan for, to train, and to direct staff in the following areas but not limited to: methods of safe physical management of students (lifting, transferring, positioning, etc.), use and maintenance of specialized equipment, sensory modulation, postural needs/supports, therapeutic activities, activities of daily living, adapting classroom materials and environment, and self-help skills.
• Utilize a variety of techniques, materials and equipment to develop and execute therapy in an appropriate and effective manner.
• Recognize the differences in needs, abilities, and interests among students and adjusts instruction to meet those needs, abilities, and interests.
• Stimulate students to work toward maximum potential and to take pride in their accomplishments.
• Plan effectively both for the present and future with respect to establishing therapy strategies which are goal oriented and purposeful.
• Select, evaluate, and use effective materials, services, and methods of instruction to motivate students to learn.
• Establish rapport and understanding with school staff colleagues.
• Recognize that being a constant and avid learner is prerequisite to being a good therapist; the therapist realizes that learning and teaching are dual aspects of a never-ending development process.
• Report any and all violations of state and federal rules and regulations, and agency procedures to the Building Principal and the Director of Student Services.
• Act in concert with legal requirements and ethical codes of the profession.
• Demonstrate cultural competence and behaviors consistent with the core values, vision, and mission of School District 159.
• Other duties as assigned.

 Requirements:

• Bending, carrying, climbing must be able to travel between job sites, lifting, pushing-pulling, reaching, sitting, standing, and walking.
• Must be able to lift, move, or push items of 50 lbs such as assisting children or moving/rearranging furniture.

 Working Conditions:

• Includes extremes of temperature and humidity.
• Hazards include stairs and communicable diseases.

*All areas of accountability considered essential functions of the job.