Occupational Therapist

SASED; Lisle (IL); On-site; USD 56,700 - 69,300; Full time

Job summary

SASED is looking for an Occupational Therapist in Illinois to provide quality occupational therapy services, including assessment, intervention, and program planning. The role involves collaborating with educational teams to support students with special needs while ensuring compliance with ethical standards. Candidates must have a degree in occupational therapy, valid NBCOT certification, and strong communication skills. The position offers a salary starting at $63,000 with additional compensation for experience.

Qualifications

• Equivalent to a degree in occupational therapy and a valid NBCOT certification with an Illinois State Occupational Therapy license.
• Strong management, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and seek appropriate resources and support.

Responsibilities

• Determine the need for assessment and provide strategies for educational team.
• Collaborate with the educational team to determine student goals and outcomes.
• Develop intervention plans and implement them directly.

Skills

Management skills

Written communication skills

Interpersonal communication skills

Independent working

Understanding of Occupational Therapy Practice Framework

Knowledge of evidence-based research

Education

Degree in occupational therapy

NBCOT certification

Illinois State Occupational Therapy license

Job description

Title

Occupational Therapist

Reports To

OT and PT Coordinator

Job Goal

Provide quality occupational therapy services, including assessment, intervention, program planning and implementation, discharge planning, and communication. Service provision includes both direct and consultative approaches.

Salary

$63,000.00 (Additional $1,000.00 for each additional year of experience up to 8 years; $700.00 for each additional year of experience beyond 8 years)

Qualifications

• Equivalent to a degree in occupational therapy and a valid NBCOT certification with an Illinois State Occupational Therapy license
• Strong management, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to work independently and seek appropriate resources and support
• Knowledge and understanding of the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework
• Commitment to the AOTA Code of Ethics (2020) and Standards of Practice (2015)
• Knowledge of basic theory‑based treatments and modalities appropriate in the educational setting, including current evidence‑based research
• Understanding of the special education process and the role of the occupational therapist in providing a continuum of services

Duties and Responsibilities

Note: This job description does not restrict management’s right to assign or reassign duties at any time.

• Determine the need for assessment and provide the educational team with strategies and recommendations to support a student prior to special education referral
• Identify and utilize appropriate tools and methods for assessment/evaluation
• Collaborate/consult with the educational team to determine student need areas/priorities and goals/outcomes for IEPs
• Develop intervention plans, including present level of performance, measurable goals, appropriate therapeutic priorities, and methods to achieve stated goals
• Implement the intervention plan directly or in collaboration with other team members
• Adapt environment, tools, materials, and activities according to the student’s needs, providing clear directions to the team
• Embed appropriate interventions and strategies into naturally occurring routines and activities of the student’s school day, ensuring carryover into the day and safe physical management
• Reassess the effectiveness of interventions and modify plans as needed
• Use progress reports and/or data collection methods and annual review documents to communicate student progress, therapeutic methods, and effectiveness
• Write reports effectively, communicating critical information succinctly and thoroughly
• Use appropriate data collection instruments and methods to accurately gather information needed to determine student progress and response to interventions
• Terminate services as appropriate, using exit guidelines in collaboration with the educational team
• Follow policies and procedures required in the setting
• Manage resources (time, space, equipment) to meet student and team needs
• Demonstrate timely and consistent follow-through with paperwork, referrals, reports, logs, and other team requests/needs
• Organize and manage schedule to meet student and building/program team needs; be on time for workday and meetings
• Establish and maintain effective interpersonal relationships with professionals and paraprofessionals, demonstrating professional behavior at all times
• Establish a climate enabling students to work efficiently
• Demonstrate leadership qualities (mentoring, in‑service training, serving on committees, participating in professional organizations, supervision of assistants and students)
• Provide modeling and training to teams as appropriate
• Achieve and maintain high standards of professional competence; identify and pursue own professional growth and development; keep abreast of current evidence‑based practice as it relates to occupational therapy
• Examine ethical dilemmas and use ethical reasoning to guide decisions and actions, reflecting on the results

Working Conditions

Maintain emotional control under stress. Regular districtwide travel to multiple work locations as assigned. Physical demands include frequent standing, stooping, bending, kneeling, pushing, pulling, lifting, and transferring students to and from wheelchairs, and assisting with positioning students with physical disabilities. Exposure to biological hazards.