Occupational Therapist 24/25 SY

TITLE: Occupational Therapist

WHO WE ARE:

Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) is a student-focused, innovative educational organization committed to academic excellence. Our mission is to empower and educate all students to think critically, creatively, and responsibly, to embrace diversity, and to pursue their dreams with a purpose. We are a family of excellent public schools in which every student has the opportunity to succeed and the power to create their own future.

Led by forward-thinking leadership and our commitment to prioritizing students, racial equity, and authentic engagement with our families, team members, and communities, our staff have diverse opportunities to develop their careers in a challenging but rewarding environment. We are an organization for people who are passionate about education and who are committed to the Indianapolis community.

SUMMARY OF OPPORTUNITY:

We are looking for an occupational therapist who will positively impact student success by supporting academic achievement and social participation through promotion of occupations within all school routines, including recess, classroom, cafeteria time, prevocational/vocational participation and more. The OT assists children in fulfilling their role as students and offers services along a continuum of prevention, promotion, and interventions. As a member of the Unified Student Supports Team, you will receive excellent benefits, opportunities to grow within your role and the organization, and collaborative and supportive colleagues who put students first.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

The following outlines what your core duties and responsibilities will be for this position and provides a sample overview of what your day-to-day may look like.

Core Duties and Responsibilities

• Adhere to the regulatory and practice standards of Occupational Therapy.

• Review student conditions and medical records.

• Assess the motor, visual-motor and sensory-motor functioning of students referred for special education evaluation. Help determine the need for occupational therapy services.

• Conduct activity and environmental analysis to make recommendations to improve the fit for greater access, progress, and participation.

• Assist school staff in reducing barriers that limit student participation within the school environment.

• Assist with providing assistive technology to support student success if/when applicable.

• Help identify long-term goals for appropriate post-school outcomes and assist school staff for successfully transitioning into appropriate post-high school employment, independent living, and/or further education.

• Help plan relevant instructional activities for ongoing implementation in the classroom.

• Provide educationally relevant occupational therapy services to the students in an accurate and timely manner addressing sensorimotor deficits, fine motor deficits, etc. that affect a student's ability to access his/her educational environment as designated in the Individual Educational Plan.

• Documents and maintains an accurate record of therapy sessions, consultation, and other pertinent activities in daily notes and/or Medicaid Billing.

• Provide written documentation related to occupational therapy during Annual Case Reviews and/or other meetings and provide written documentation for progress as determined by the student's Individual Education Plan.

• Demonstrate knowledge and appropriate application of precautions and contraindications to occupational therapy treatment.

• Communicate with school staff, family and other professionals who are part of the child's educational team to contribute to a collaborative IEP including but not limited to student self-advocacy, student engagement in with school activities, curricular modifications to support diverse learning abilities, increase student success and promote safety within the school environment, etc. student progress, needed adaptations, etc.

• Maintain and educate others on the use of adaptive equipment and integrated activities and maintains an inventory of District OT assistive equipment

• Consult with school staff to obtain additional student information, suggest revisions in implementation and integrate occupational therapy with other aspects of the student's educational environment.

• Provides adaptations related to the student's ability to access and participate in his/her educational environment as it relates to fine motor skills, access, sensory, etc.

• Maintains confidentiality of all student records, school and other related information as noted by HIPPA and FERPA.

• Other duties as assigned

"Day in the Life" Overview

On a regular day, as the Occupational Therapist, you might:

• Provide direct services one-on-one with a student, provide direct services to a group, co-treat with another discipline

• Provide consultative services to staff members to ensure integrated activities are being completed as noted in the IEP to meet individual needs.

• Support students in reaching their individualized education plan goals

• Complete evaluations to assist team members in determining needed supports and services

• Maintain daily documentation on provided services.

• Attend meetings with the IEP team to assist with effective planning.

• Work collaboratively with other staff

WHAT YOU WILL BRING: SKILLS AND MINDSETS

As an ideal candidate for this role, you will be able to achieve the following:

• Knowledge and appropriate application of precautions and contraindications to occupational therapy treatment.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong strategic analytical and writing capabilities, and interpersonal savvy

• Proactive nature; able to anticipate conflicts before they rise, results/action-orientation; project management skills

• Racial equity mindset and other critical indicators related to DEI

• Organizational agility; developed negotiation skills

• Unquestionable personal code of ethics, integrity, diversity and trust

• Ability to successfully navigate within varying degrees of ambiguity in a fast-paced environment. Ability to be creative in developing alternatives to meet IPS Instructional needs

• Track record of developing and maintaining strong working relationships with and among a diverse group of actors. Ability to work well independently as well as collaboratively.

• Close attention to detail coupled with the ability to exercise good judgment

• Ability to execute meetings, calls, and emails with professionalism, courtesy, and accuracy. Ability to effectively allocate and prioritize time to several tasks to ensure completion of all

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS

• Graduation from an occupational therapy program accredited jointly by the Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation of the AMA and the AOTA.

• Certified Occupational Therapist (OT) by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) or Certified Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR) by the National Board in Certified Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)

• Valid Indiana Occupational Therapy License

FLSA CLASSIFICATION:

Exempt

ELIGIBILITY FOR REMOTE WORK:

Not eligible

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand and walk. The employee is occasionally required to sit; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

EEOC STATEMENT:

Indianapolis Public Schools, in accordance with its nondiscrimination policies, will not discriminate in its programs, facilities, or employment or educational opportunities on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, veteran or military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, familial status, domestic violence victim status, homelessness or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state or local laws, regulations, or ordinances. Indianapolis Public Schools does not tolerate any form of retaliation or bias-based intimidation, threat, or harassment that demeans individuals' dignity or interferes with their ability to learn or work.

DISCLAIMER:

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the above representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This job description is illustrative only, and is not a comprehensive list of all essential functions and duties performed by the occupant of this position. Factors such as regular and punctual attendance are not routinely listed in job descriptions, but are an essential function.