Occupational Therapist

Summary

Job Description

Crystal Lake School District 47 currently has an opening for an Occupational therapist. Occupational Therapists in educational systems are considered to be related service personnel. The Occupational Therapist is responsible for the assessment, planning, goal development and monitoring, and provision of appropriate intervention services designed to assist the student in acquiring those functional skills needed to participate and progress in the educational environment and improve the student's level of independent functioning.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Comply with all state rules and regulations, Board of Education policy, and administrative procedures
• Comply with all of the requirements regarding reports, record keeping, etc. in a timely manner.
• Complete all of the District's requirements regarding procedures for referred students.
• Carry out screening and assessment/evaluation procedures for referred students.
• Plan and develop therapeutic intervention goals that are educationally relevant.
• Maintain a system of documentation that is professional, consistent, efficient and accountable and that conforms to State and District Policy.
• Maintain and be accountable for equipment and inventory, including safety issues and proper working order.
• Communicates results of evaluations and reports of occupational therapy services to the educational staff, parents, students, and, when appropriate, other agencies concerned with the students.
• Consults with other members of team to select activity program consistent with needs and capabilities of the student and to coordinate occupational therapy with other therapeutic activities.
• Selects constructive activities suited to student's physical capacity, intelligence level, and interest to increase the student's independence, and aid in adjustment to disability
• Teaches students skills and techniques required for participation in activities, evaluates individual's progress and prepare reports that detail progress.
• Designs and constructs special equipment for student and suggests adaptation of student's educational environment.
• Recommends changes in student's educational environments, consistent with their needs and capabilities.
• Attend MDC, IEP, department and other appropriate meetings.
• Facilitate in-service education and professional development for colleagues.
• Professionally supervise and monitor the job performance of and assigned occupational therapy assistants and/or affiliating therapy students.
• Monitor the occupational therapy program goals by teaching and supervising other professionals and paraprofessionals who are involved in the implementation of the intervention procedures.
• Provide consultation to the staff regarding student needs, professional needs, and classroom/building needs in order to achieve targeted goals and objectives.
• Provide reassessment of students, focusing on areas of needs, at intervals determined to be educationally relevant.
• Communicate the needs of the occupational therapy services to the appropriate administrator(s).
• Review self-performance and seeks appropriate guidance and consultation.
• Remain abreast of professional developments in field.
• Coordinates participation in sensorimotor, educational, recreational, and social activities designed to help students develop or regain physical or mental functioning or adjust to disabilities.
  
  

Supervisory Responsibilities –Supervision of Occupational Therapist Assistants

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience:

• Master's degree (M. A.) or equivalent
• Previous related experience and/or training.
  
  

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• Appropriate Valid Illinois Occupational Therapist License.
• The occupational therapist must be licensed by the State of Illinois Department of Registration and Education
• Must hold the appropriate credentials required by the State agency and the District.
  
  

Physical Demands:

• While fulfilling the duties of this job, the employee is performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• The employee may be required to occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.