Occupational Therapist

Job Description

Job Description

Company Description

At KIPP Chicago, we are guided by a simple, yet powerful mission: Together with families and communities, we create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose—college, career, and beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world. Our campuses are located in the Austin, Englewood, North Lawndale, and West Humboldt Park neighborhoods. KIPP Chicago also advises over 2000 KIPP alumni currently in high school or college through our KIPP Forward program. For more data and information about our successes and vision for the future, visit

Job Description

POSITION OVERVIEW 

KIPP Chicago is looking for a dynamic and dedicated Occupational Therapist (OT) to become part of a vibrant educational community. The Occupational Therapist is specially trained to provide services to a student within their least restrictive environment to help each student benefit from his or her special education program. Occupational therapy services address performance within an educational context, including classroom lessons and activities, self-help skills, prevocational and vocational activities, play and leisure, and social skills. Outcomes are directed toward improved student participation in the general education curriculum, access to the school environment, and participation in extracurricular activities.

The OT evaluates students through skilled professional observation, therapeutic handling, record review, and parent, student, and teacher interviews.  OTs interpret assessment findings and appropriately communicate information to parents and school teams through written and oral means.  The OT collaborates with the school team to develop Individualized Education Programs and Section 504 Plans to address the students’ unique needs. This position will be a member of KIPP Chicago’s growing team and will require regular travel between campuses. 

The Occupational Therapist, under the leadership of the Managing Director of Related Service Providers and in collaboration with teachers and other related service providers, will use effective strategies to serve the needs of students. The Occupational Therapist position is a full-time, in-person role that requires strong daily attendance on campus daily.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The Occupational Therapist position roles and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 

Implement Individualized Education Plans 

• Provide therapeutic services to eligible students using a continuum of service delivery models.

• Provide diagnostic assessment services to students using the established eligibility and exit criteria.

• Constructs comprehensive reports illustrating the student’s performance and deficits in the area of occupational therapy.

• Develop IEPs utilizing an educationally based model with goals aligned to educational standards.

• Participate in required Domain, Referral, FIE and Annual review meetings as needed.

• Provide consultation to teachers, parents and staff.

• Provide staff development to school staff  in collaboration with other service providers

• Participate in activities that support students’ educational programs.

• Attend regional, departmental and CPS related meetings.

• Complete compliance activities including daily progress notes, weekly documentation of all services delivered, quarterly reports of student achievement (IEP report cards) and record monthly service.

• Increasing functional use of hands and visual regard by providing stable positions.

• Improving manipulative skills for self-care and paper/pencil tasks through reach, grasp and dexterity.

• Improving success for small muscle school tasks by increasing coordination of eye-hand movements.

• Enhancing ability to learn through sensorimotor activities that address motor planning, attending and behavior issues.

• Addresses personal care, student role, interaction skills, process skills, play, community integration/work, graphic communication, needs for assistive technology, accessibility, environmental accommodations as required to access their educational environment through collaboration and participation with school staff. 

Training & Consultation

• Provide consultation services to classroom teachers, support staff, parents and other KIPP personnel for intervention strategies to meet speech and language IEP goals.

• Support and facilitate professional development activities and objectives for general education staff and school administrators as needed.

• Provide strategies to Increase functional use of hands and visual regard by providing stable positions.

• Promoting competency and safety of educational staff in body mechanics, handling techniques, motor skills and classroom adaptations.

Interpersonal and Agency Relations & Communications

• Consult with community agencies, medical personnel, parents, and other professionals, and act as a liaison among these groups for children with sensorimotor disorders.

• Conduct screenings to assist in referral of students to available community agencies, as appropriate.

• Keep service records, computerized IEP records and all other records pertinent to the special education program for the state reports and program accountability.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS 

• Pass the National Board Certification for Occupational Therapy.  

• Hold a current and active Illinois license to practice as issued by the IL Department of Professional Regulations. This license must be renewed every two years upon payment on or before December 31st of given renewal year

• Must have a Bachelor, Master, or Doctoral degree in occupational therapy from an accredited occupational therapy program as approved by the AOTA. 

• Knowledge of federal and state special education law and best practices for special education (required) 

• Minimum two years of experience (preferred) 

• Experience working in an urban, public school setting 

• Adheres to professional, ethical and legal standards of practice as defined by the American Occupational Therapy Association

• Ability to work in-person on campus daily, with strong on-time attendance (required)

• Cleared CPS Background Check and Faith’s Law Attestation (required)

Additional Information

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

KIPP Chicago Schools offers a competitive compensation and benefits package:

• Salaries based experience related to role and responsibilities

• Competitive rates for medical insurance and short-term disability insurance.  Dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, and long-term disability insurance are offered at no cost.

• Competitive retirement savings benefits 

• For more detail about our Salaries and Benefits at KIPP Chicago, visit our website:  -our-team/

STATEMENT OF NON-DISCRIMINATION

KIPP Chicago Public Schools is committed to a policy of equal treatment for all individuals applying for employment. KIPP Chicago does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, national or ethnic background. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.