Occupational Therapist en Lake County Schools Consortium

TITLE: LICENSED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

• Knowledge of etiology, characteristics, and prognosis of major disabilities and health conditions

• Knowledge of a variety of occupational therapy treatment techniques and their applications

• Ability to conduct, interpret, and report occupational therapy evaluations

• Understanding of developmental milestones, sensory processing, and motor skill acquisition

• Ability to collaborate with a multidisciplinary team and provide consultative support to educational staff

• Graduation from an accredited Occupational Therapy program

• Hold or be eligible for an Illinois Occupational Therapy license

• Experience working with individuals ages 3-22, especially within educational settings

• Ability to lead professional development for staff and/or parent education

POSITION OVERVIEW:
The Occupational Therapist provides therapy services to students with disabilities ages 3–22 across the district, supporting their ability to access the educational environment. Services may include assessments, direct and consultative therapy, participation in IEP/504 meetings, and staff training. The position is itinerant and may serve multiple school sites, with assignments adjusted annually based on student needs.

REPORTS TO: Executive Director of Student Support Services, Principals, and/or designee
 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conduct evaluations and re-evaluations in accordance with IDEA and Section 504

• Participate in IEP and 504 meetings, providing goal input and service recommendations

• Provide direct, consultative, and collaborative services aligned to student needs and IEP goals

• Collaborate with teachers, aides, and families to generalize therapy goals

• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of services provided, including data collection and progress reporting, in alignment with district procedures and to support Medicaid billing requirements when applicable

• Monitor and assess therapy effectiveness through data collection, observations, and formal assessments

• Develop and manage a flexible schedule across assigned schools

• Support transitions (e.g., PreK to K, middle to high school) through team collaboration and student planning

• Adhere to district policies and applicable laws, including IDEA, ADA, and ISBE regulations

• Attend staff meetings, professional development, and district trainings as required

• Provide training for staff and parents on topics related to sensory and motor development

• Other duties as assigned by supervisors

PHYSICAL & WORK ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to assist with lifting, positioning, and transferring students and equipment as needed to support therapy activities.

• All lifting and transferring should follow current best practices as outlined by national OT/PT professional standards (e.g., AOTA, APTA), including the use of assistive equipment and/or support from additional staff when students are non-weight bearing or unable to assist.

• Must be able to work in various environments within the district and community settings.

• Must have the ability to travel between multiple school buildings within the district on a daily basis.

• Requires schedule flexibility and ability to adapt to location or caseload changes as student needs evolve.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:  (Completed by Office of Human Resources)