Occupational Therapist

Occupational Therapist

The Occupational Therapist supports the TrueNorth mission and is committed to the possibilities in every learner, every day. This role provides specialized services that enhance students' functional participation by addressing their motor skills, processing skills, and social interaction skills to support their independence and participation in daily school routines. These skills include executive functioning, self-help skills, motor skills, sensory processing, self-regulation, and visual processing. The Occupational Therapist collaborates with educational teams to design and implement interventions that promote access, engagement, and meaningful participation across school environments. Services may include evaluation, intervention, consultation, environmental modifications, assistive technology recommendations, and staff training across multiple school sites.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledge of pediatric occupational therapy practices related to childhood development, motor development, body systems and structures, health promotion and wellness
• Ability to conduct comprehensive evaluations, interpret findings, and develop educationally relevant goals and interventions
• Strong communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with educators, families, and related service providers
• Ability to manage a diverse caseload across multiple school settings and adjust scheduling to meet student and team needs
• Skill in adapting materials, environments, and equipment to promote student access and participation
• Knowledge of assistive technology tools related to writing, access, daily living skills, and classroom participation
• Ability to provide clear guidance and training to staff on student supports to enhance performance, including optimizing positioning, regulation strategies, adaptations, and safe student handling
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to support teams in addressing functional and access-related barriers
• Ability to supervise Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistants and clinical interns in accordance with licensure requirements
• Capacity to maintain accurate documentation, including evaluations, progress reports, and service logs
• Ability to travel throughout the cooperative and partner districts
• Commitment to continuous professional learning and evidence-based practice

Qualifications:

• Current license from the State of Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) as a registered Occupational Therapist
• Current certification from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)
• Must be physically able to provide therapy to students ages 3 through 22
• Experience working with children or young adults with disabilities (preferred)
• CPR certification (preferred)

Essential Functions & Responsibilities:

• Evaluation & Intervention:
• Conduct comprehensive school-based assessments, evaluations, and re-evaluations to determine functional performance in motor, processing, and social interaction skills
• Develop goals, objectives, and intervention plans based on student needs and educational team input
• Provide direct occupational therapy services within educational environments to support student access, participation, and independence
• Adapt and recommend materials, equipment, and environmental modifications to support student performance
• Monitor student progress and adjust interventions based on data, observations, and team feedback
• Collaboration & Consultation:
• Collaborate with educational teams to integrate functional strategies supporting motor, processing, and social interaction skills into daily routines and instructional activities
• Provide consultation to staff and families regarding positioning, regulation supports, accessibility, adaptations, and home programming
• Participate in IEP meetings and contribute to the development of appropriate goals, accommodations, and supports
• Assist teams in addressing functional access needs, including assistive technology recommendations for writing, access, and daily living tasks
• Offer in-service training to school teams and district partners on topics related to functional participation
• Professional Responsibilities:
• Manage a caseload serving students ages 3-22 across multiple school locations
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation in accordance with district, state, and professional standards
• Supervise Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistants and clinical affiliates as assigned
• Collaborate with colleagues and families to share information, coordinate services, and support effective student programming
• Engage in ongoing professional development to maintain licensure and enhance practice

Physical Requirements & Work Environment:

• Ability to lift, transfer, and position students using safe handling techniques
• Ability to push, pull, and maneuver mobility or adaptive equipment
• Ability to bend, kneel, reach, and move frequently throughout the day
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally
• Ability to visually and physically assess student movement, posture, and functional performance
• Must complete Nonviolent Crisis Intervention training and employ these skills as necessary
• Ability to travel between multiple school sites in varying weather conditions
• Work is performed in classrooms, therapy spaces, hallways, playgrounds, and community settings
• Regular exposure to students with diverse physical, processing, and behavioral needs
• Frequent movement between buildings and districts
• May encounter moderate noise levels, adaptive equipment, and varied environmental conditions
• Requires flexibility, problem-solving, and responsiveness to changing student and team needs