Occupational Therapist

Occupational Therapist

Waukegan Community Unit School District No. 60 serves nearly 15,500 students in preschool through grade 12 and is located halfway between Chicago, Illinois and Milwaukee, Wisconsin on the shores of Lake Michigan. Our District has one early learning center, 15 elementary schools, five middle schools and a high school program divided between two 9 – 12th grade campuses. The District encompasses portions of Waukegan, Beach Park and Park City.

The Waukegan Community Unit School District No. 60 has set an ambitious agenda for change, guided by the belief that all children, regardless of circumstances, can achieve at high levels and academic gaps can and will be eliminated with the support of teachers who deliver engaging, relevant, and academically rigorous instruction that excites students and instills a love of learning in them.

The Occupational Therapist will be directly responsible to the OT/PT Department Specialist who is directly responsible to the Director of Special Education Programs and Services.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

General Duties:

• Provide occupational therapy, evaluation and treatment
• Develop treatment plans and IEP goals
• Complete necessary paperwork
• Communication and consultation
• Manage therapy equipment

Specific Duties/Treatment Duties:

• Provide occupational therapy treatment to students in accordance with accepted practices and procedures of pediatric therapy and according to stated IEP goals
• Screen student identified by other school personnel or outside agency as possibly needing occupational therapy services
• Perform and document full occupational therapy evaluation of students receiving occupational therapy services. Re-evaluate yearly or as needed
• Develop treatment plans for and supervise therapy of Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
• Develop, teach and monitor classroom and home programs
• Set student service priorities as necessary
• Travel to the students school to provide treatment, only students needing sensory integration will be serviced in the therapy suites
• Adhere to therapy schedule and notify necessary staff of schedule changes

Other Programs and Duties:

• Attend Individual Education Plan and MDC Meetings on all students considered for or receiving occupational therapy
• Participate in Waukegan Early Education (WEE) Screening
• Participate in Parent-Infant Education (PIE) screening and provide occupational therapy services as needed

Paperwork Duties:

• Become familiar with federal and state laws regarding occupational therapy services in the school setting
• Follow district and departmental policies, procedures and forms
• Obtain, review and interpret medical information necessary for treatment. Yearly doctor's prescription is needed
• Obtain parental permission for screening
• Write Individual Education Plan (IEP) goals for each student. Update yearly
• Write occupational therapy report for yearly IEP or MDC meeting
• Keep attendance and running treatment notes on each student
• Document supervision of Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant as needed
• Complete all necessary paperwork such as: Medicaid forms, individual data sheet updates, yearly class list, mileage, etc
• Develop workable therapy schedule

Equipment Duties:

• Keep up to date inventory of all occupational therapy equipment and its location
• Keep all equipment in good repair
• Prioritize equipment needs and prepare new equipment orders when due
• Recommend types of equipment that could benefit a student and assist in procuring equipment for trial or permanent use
• Make sure all equipment is used correctly. Instruct others in correct equipment use as necessary

Communication and Consultation Duties:

• Promote awareness of the role and function of occupational therapy in Waukegan Schools
• Coordinate with Physical Therapy
• Communicate with school nurse about student medical problems and in conjunction with nursing be a resource person for school staff and parents on medical issues
• Communicate with parents and outside agencies to give or get requested information, coordinate medical services, resolve equipment needs, etc
• Communicate effectively with classroom teacher about day, time and place of occupational therapy and about students OT goals, progress and equipment
• Instruct classroom staff and gym personnel on activities of a therapeutic nature that should be carried out in classroom, playground or gym. Provide on-going monitoring and reassessment of such activities
• Train school staff in handling techniques, use of equipment, safety, etc
• Monitor and assist in adapting school environment for accessibility and finding ways to ensure optimal function in least restrictive environment
• Participate in district in-service and staff development programs
• Provide formal and informal education on topics and activities related to occupational therapy

Miscellaneous:

• If the district participates in OT or COTA student clinical education affiliations, the occupational therapist will develop a suitable student clinical program and supervise students

Qualifications:

• Must hold Illinois State Occupational Therapy License

Salary: Per OT/PT Salary Schedule

Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 offers employment opportunities without regard to age, gender, race, color, gender identity, national origin, religion, marital or military/veteran status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, parental status, genetics, disability or other protected category.