Occupational Therapist

Minimum Qualifications:

• Current Illinois Licensure and/or Certification appropriate to the position
• Bachelors or Masters 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 assess special needs in accordance with the districts 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 help 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.
• Must be able to supervise students in all types of weather meet multiple demands from several people and interact with the public and other staff

Working Conditions:

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

Terms of Employment:

• Per MTA Professional Collective Bargaining Agreement

FLSA Status:

• Salary/Exempt

Benefits:

• Per MTA Professional Collective Bargaining Agreement

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

Required Experience:

IC