Occupational Therapist

KIPP•Chicago, IL

16h•Onsite

About The Position

KIPP Chicago is seeking a dynamic and dedicated Occupational Therapist (OT) to join its educational community. The OT will provide services to students within their least restrictive environment to ensure they benefit from their special education programs. Services will focus on educational contexts, including classroom activities, self-help skills, prevocational and vocational activities, play, leisure, and social skills, aiming to improve student participation in the general education curriculum, access to the school environment, and involvement in extracurricular activities. The OT will evaluate students through observation, therapeutic handling, record review, and interviews, interpreting findings and communicating them to parents and school teams. Collaboration with school teams to develop Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and Section 504 Plans is essential. This role requires regular travel between campuses and involves working under the leadership of the Managing Director of Related Service Providers, collaborating with teachers and other providers. The position is full-time, in-person, and requires strong daily attendance on campus.

Requirements

Pass the National Board Certification for Occupational Therapy.
Hold a current and active Illinois license to practice as issued by the IL Department of Professional Regulations. This license must be renewed every two years upon payment on or before December 31st of given renewal year
Must have a Bachelor, Master, or Doctoral degree in occupational therapy from an accredited occupational therapy program as approved by the AOTA.
Knowledge of federal and state special education law and best practices for special education (required)
Ability to work in-person on campus daily, with strong on-time attendance (required)
Cleared CPS Background Check and Faith’s Law Attestation (required)

Nice To Haves

Minimum two years of experience (preferred)
Experience working in an urban, public school setting

Responsibilities

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.
Construct 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.
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.
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.