Occupational Therapist

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title

Occupational Therapist

Department

Educational Services

Bargain Unit Classification

Bargaining Unit-EARL

Reports To

Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services; Building Administrators

FLSA Designation

Exempt

Other

Pay Scale/Lane

Collective Bargaining Agreement

Benefits

Benefit Summary

Work Calendar

Standard (180 days)

Version Date

1/2026

PART I: SUMMARY OF POSITION

The Occupational Therapist is responsible for assessing, planning, and implementing therapeutic services to support students' functional development and access to the educational environment. This role evaluates students' fine motor, sensory, and adaptive skills to determine the need for and provision of services, ensuring compliance with federal law, Illinois statutes, and district procedures. The Occupational Therapist collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to interpret assessment data, develop and implement individualized education programs (IEPs), and provide interventions that promote student independence and participation in school activities. Additionally, this position identifies environmental and accessibility needs, provides recommendations to support students in the least restrictive environment, and contributes to equitable student outcomes through consultation, staff support, and the integration of evidence-based practices.

PART II: MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

A. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master's degree or higher in occupational therapy from an accredited college or university
• One (1) year of experience as an occupational therapist preferred
• Bilingual Spanish preferred
• Familiarity with the Round Lake community preferred

B. CREDENTIALS:

• Illinois Department of Health license with a National Board Certified Occupational Therapist designation.

C. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of adaptive equipment and the use and modification of such equipment;
• Knowledge of common medical conditions and how these conditions might impact development;
• Knowledge of current occupational therapy treatment interventions;
• Knowledge of general and abnormal development in infants and young children, especially regarding motor development and sensory processing;
• Knowledge of stages of child development;
• Skill at applying assessment instruments;
• Skill at operating equipment used in occupational therapy strategies;
• Skill at operating standard office equipment including pertinent computer software;
• Skill at preparing and maintaining accurate records;
• Skill in organization and the ability to meet deadlines;
• Skill in written and oral communication;
• Ability to communicate complex occupational therapy information regarding a child's needs to families and staff in a manner in which the information is easily understood;
• Ability to translate therapy data into meaningful educational activities;
• Ability to work effectively as a member of the team;
• Ability to work with minimum supervision;
• Problem-solving and analytic ability;
• Ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds

PART III: ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The following identifies the primary and essential functions of the position and is not intended to be an exhaustive listing of all duties. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Conducts comprehensive assessments of students' fine motor, sensory, perceptual-motor, and functional abilities to determine eligibility and service needs.
• Interprets assessment data and prepares written evaluation reports to support eligibility determination and program planning.
• Develops, implements, and monitors individualized treatment plans and interventions aligned to student IEP goals.
• Provides direct and indirect occupational therapy services to support students' functional development, independence, and access to the educational environment.
• Screens students to determine the need for further evaluation and individualized assessment.
• Collaborates with multidisciplinary team members, including participation in IEP and transition planning processes.
• Consults with teachers, parents, and staff to provide strategies, recommendations, and support for integrating therapeutic practices into the educational setting.
• Instructs students, staff, and families on the use of assistive devices, adaptive strategies, and interventions to support student success.
• Identifies environmental and structural barriers and provides recommendations for accessibility, accommodations, and adaptive equipment.
• Recommends, adapts, and monitors specialized equipment and materials to support student development and participation.
• Interprets medical and educational reports to inform appropriate interventions and service delivery.
• Maintains accurate, timely, and compliant documentation, including evaluations, progress reports, service logs, and billing records.
• Ensures all services and documentation comply with federal law, Illinois statutes, and district procedures.
• Coordinates occupational therapy services across multiple school sites to ensure consistent and effective service delivery.
• Directs and supports assigned staff, including Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTAs) and paraprofessionals, to ensure program effectiveness.
• Communicates effectively with families and serves as a liaison to outside providers and community resources as appropriate.
• Provides support and consultation related to vocational and community-based environments, including job site adaptations when applicable.
• Researches and applies evidence-based practices, tools, and resources to support student outcomes.
• Responds to inquiries from staff, families, and stakeholders, providing information and guidance as appropriate.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

PART IV: STAFF SUPERVISION

• Supervises assigned paraprofessional employees and/or Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants.

THE ABOVE STATEMENTS ARE INTENDED TO DESCRIBE THE GENERAL NATURE AND LEVEL OF WORK BEING PERFORMED BY THE EMPLOYEE ASSIGNED TO THIS POSITION. THEY ARE NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST OF ALL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES PERFORMED BY PERSONNEL SO CLASSIFIED.

RLAS #116 IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, THE DISTRICT WILL PROVIDE REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS TO QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES AND ENCOURAGE BOTH PROSPECTIVE AND CURRENT EMPLOYEES TO DISCUSS POTENTIAL ACCOMMODATIONS WITH THE DISTRICT WHEN NECESSARY.