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.