Occupational Therapist

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 325,000 students in 500 schools and employing over 45,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. Aligned with our transformed philosophy, we are steadfastly focused on ensuring that the District provides resources equitably to support every student, every school, and every community. Six core values guide the work we do every day for our students – student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning. Each role in the district supports our vision that every student deserves a rigorous, joyful, and equitable learning experience.

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) works to support networks, schools, and families with all issues related to special education including instruction, interventions, and legal and compliance support. OSD provides the tools and resources to ensure that all students with disabilities receive a high-quality public education that prepares students for success. OSD supports networks, schools, and families with all issues related to special education, including instruction, interventions, and legal and compliance support.

Job Summary: 

Reporting to the RSP Manager, OT/PT, an Occupational Therapist provides services to a student within their least restrictive environment to help each student benefit from his or her special education program. Occupational therapy services address performance within an educational context, including classroom lessons and activities, self-help skills, pre-vocational and vocational activities, play and leisure, and social skills. Outcomes are directed toward improved student participation in the general education curriculum, access to the school environment, and participation in extracurricular activities.

The OT evaluates students through skilled professional observation, therapeutic handling, record review, and parent, student, and teacher interviews.  OTs interpret assessment findings and appropriately communicate information to parents and school teams through written and oral means.  The OT collaborates with the school team to develop Individualized Education Programs and Section 504 Plans to address the students’ unique needs.

The Occupational Therapist will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Improving manipulative skills for self-care and paper/pencil tasks through reach, grasp and dexterity.
• Enhancing school transitions and participation in educational activities by providing environmental accommodations.
• Enhancing comfort, participation and attending by maintaining functional postures.
• Increasing functional use of hands and visual regard by providing stable positions.
• Ensuring independence in feeding for safety and nourishment.
• Facilitating safety in the school environment by decreasing the possibility of injury to student’s self or others as he/she moves or performs skills/tasks.
• Improving success for small muscle school tasks by increasing coordination of eye-hand movements.
• Facilitating access to and mobility within school by assessing and changing the environment.
• Increasing functional use of extremities through use of adapted equipment.
• Enhancing ability to learn through sensorimotor activities that address motor planning, attending and behavior issues.
• Promoting competency and safety of educational staff in body mechanics, handling techniques, motor skills and classroom adaptations.
• Facilitating student’s independence through access to assistive technology.