OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

Occupational Therapist

School District 170 Chicago Heights, Illinois

Qualifications: Registered Occupational Therapist, licensed with the State of Illinois Department of Registration and Education.

Job Summary: To provide direct and consultative occupational therapy services to District students.

Reports To: Principal(s), Assistant Superintendent of Special Education and Special Services, and other administrative personnel.

Terms of Employment: Salary based on Chicago Heights School District 170 and American Federation of Teachers, AFT Local 604, Chicago Heights Council contractual agreement.

Pension System: IMRF Salary Range: $60,000 - $62,000; commensurate with experience.

Responsibilities:

• Evaluations/Screenings: Identify and administer appropriate standardized or non-standardized assessments. Evaluate/screen referred students regarding the need for an occupational therapy program. The OT will assist with classification and placement decisions by performing functional motor abilities assessments to address concerns noted in the domain sheet and expressed by the team. The OT's evaluation of functional motor skills may include how strength, range of motion, ability to perform coordinated movements, posture, sensory system, etc, affect abilities to participate in the educational setting. Attend staffing to discuss student evaluations and/or progress.
• Occupational Therapy Services: Implement appropriate intervention, based on evaluation results, to facilitate a student's optimum functioning and learning in the school environment. Identify specific performance objectives related to the student's individual needs. Obtain written orders from the student's physician in regards to Occupational Therapy evaluation and treatment. The OT will develop therapeutic interventions. Strategies and equipment adaptations in collaboration with the educational team to address IEP goals. The OT will update and assist with writing IEP goals and objectives as an educational team member. Participate in program planning within the therapy department.
• Professional Responsibilities: Perform paperwork related to Occupational Therapy services. Conduct inservice, upon request, with school personnel, parents, and other staff therapists to advance knowledge in Occupational Therapy and to communicate its value in improving school performance. Consult with school personnel and parents regarding programs or activities they could implement. Assist District administrative staff in recruitment of Occupational Therapy personnel. The OT will maintain current and accepted competencies of practice in skills as required by program needs by attending professional workshops, courses, conferences and in-services.
• Administrative Responsibilities: The OT will supervise a COTA as requested by the OT/PT Department Chair. The OT will write, in conjunction with the COTA, and based upon the COTA's written observations, all 3 year re-evaluations on students on the COTA's caseload. The OT will discuss COTA's competencies with OT/PT Department Chair. The OT will meet regularly, based on the COTA's competencies, to discuss Intervention Plans, possible IEP goals and strategies/interventions on the COTA's students. Records The OT will maintain an inventory of materials and equipment that she/he has checked out and return materials at designated times. The OT will maintain a schedule and inform the Director of Special Education and Principal of changes. The OT will maintain student files of progress notes, attendance, anecdotal records, testing protocols, etc. The OT will initial OT/COTA monthly supervision logs. The OT will complete necessary Administrative paperwork (Medicaid, Administrative Outreach, conference requests) within noted timelines.
• Additional Responsibilities: Ability to physically manage students weighing from approximately 50 to 150 pounds, with assistance, when needed. Assist District administrative staff with compiling, purchasing and setting up equipment for O.T./P.T. room. Lift and relocate children/equipment as needed. Assist with self help and self care as needed. Sanitize materials/equipment in accordance with board policy. Perform other duties assigned by the Director of Special Education.