Job Description

Connections Organization Job Description

Position: Occupational Therapist (OTR) Hours: Full-Time

Reports To: Administration Team Salary: Varies with education and experience

Basic Functions:

To provide occupational therapy treatment to special needs student’s educational programs at New Connections Academy. This job administers occupational therapy assessments to determine a student’s level of functioning relative to their age and educational placement in such areas as fine/gross motor skill development, sensory processing, visual perceptual and visual motor skill development and self-care and activities of daily living.

Responsibilities and Duties include (but are not limited to):

Provide occupational therapy services, as identified through the IEP, to students enrolled in the educational program of New Connections Academy.
Administer occupational therapy assessments/evaluations to determine a student’s level of functioning relative to their age and educational placement in such areas as fine/gross motor skill development, sensory processing, visual perceptual and visual motor skill development and self-care and activities of daily living.
Writes assessment/evaluation reports identifying the student’s needs and proposed treatment strategies; writes individual student goals and objectives as part of the IEP; maintains progress records/notes; participates in IEP meetings.
Develops occupational therapy treatment plans based on the educational goals for eligible students to improve the student’s functional abilities within the school and naturalistic settings, in collaboration with the IEP team.
Monitors therapy programs and consults with educational staff regarding inclusion of appropriate occupational therapy treatment strategies into the educational program; evaluates the efficacy of the established program and makes modifications within the framework of the IEP process as necessary.
Provides interpretation and summaries of assessment reports to families; recommends appropriate activities and materials designed to support goals in the home environment.
Consults and collaborates with medical and community agencies that interact with New Connections Academy staff regarding occupational therapy services for students.
Maintain an in-depth knowledge of laws and policies governing Special Education in Illinois, particularly as they pertain to the delivery of occupational therapy services.
Consults with other members of the educational team regarding the mandated and best practice roles of occupational therapists (i.e. staff trainings/presentations)
Administers occupational therapy program as needed in terms of budget recommendations, space, and equipment recommendations.
Participate in crisis management training and review courses as needed
Supervise Occupational Therapists in training when needed
Maintain certifications and licenses as needed to meet the requirements of the position
Participate in all in-service trainings to the school
Performs related duties as assigned by the administration team

Knowledge and Abilities:

Intellectual, sensory and physical development of children and young adults;
Application of occupational therapy techniques utilized in assessments and treatment of children with disabilities;
Educational and developmental needs of children and young adults;
Theory of physical and mental rehabilitation underlying the practices of occupational therapy;
Principles of consultation, training, and supervision;
Accurately assess the developmental status and educational needs of children and young adults;
Develop and implement plans, goals, and objectives;
Effective oral and written communication skills;
Ability to collaborate with a multidisciplinary team;
Provide consultation to classroom staff; explain and provide training on occupational therapy;
Maintain records and prepare comprehensive reports

Personal Qualities:

Sensitive to the needs of children and parents of different ethnic, cultural, language, educational, and economic backgrounds;
Possession of effective work strategies including flexibility, good organization skills, time management, and ability to work independently and prioritize multiple work tasks.

Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor’s Degree (or higher) in Occupational Therapy or Pre-Degree
Certification: Certified with the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Must hold a valid Illinois Occupational Therapist License (or be eligible for the same).

Experience:

Previous school-based experience and experience with Autism is preferred
Experience working with a child and adolescent population

New Connections Academy

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