Occupational Therapist Assistant

Since 1893, Helen Keller Services (HKS) has been committed to improving the lives of individuals who are blind, visually impaired, or have combined hearing and vision loss. HKS serves the New York City/Long Island area from its new headquarters in dynamic downtown Brooklyn and the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youth and Adults of Sands Point, New York, which has a network of regional offices that extends HKS’ reach across the United States.

We currently have an exciting full-time career opportunity available to join the HKS team as a Full-Time Occupational Therapist Assistant (OTA) in our Brooklyn Children’s Learning Center. The Brooklyn Children’s Learning Center preschool provides educational and therapeutic services for children between the ages of 3-5 with visual disorders, multiple disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, and pervasive developmental disabilities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Under the Supervision of a Certified Occupational Therapist

• Provide therapeutic services in accordance with student’s IEP goals related to participation in preschool, self-care, and play activities
• Assist in the completion of annual reports, Turning Five reports, quarterly progress reports, and daily session notes
• Participate in IEP meetings, team meetings, and parent-teacher conferences
• Collaborate with students’ families and team members, including classroom teachers, paraprofessionals, speech-language pathologists, physical therapists, teachers of the visually impaired, and social worker

Understand Relevant Medical Information

• Familiarity with common eye conditions
• Understanding of sensory systems
• Understanding of neuromuscular system concepts (e. g., muscle tone)

Plan and Conduct Children’s Learning Center IEP Assessments

• Understand and execute a formal case review of the student’s history including educational, therapeutic, and medical information that is available.
• Assist with the assessments of the student’s present level of functioning in the following areas related to their Occupational Therapy needs:

1. Fine Motor Ability, including hand strength and dexterity.

2. Sensory Processing.

3. Daily Living Skills.

• 4. Play Skills
• 5. Preschool Skills
• 6. Social Skills
• 7. Executive Functioning Skills

8. Adaptive Equipment Needs.

9. Orthotics

• Under the supervision of an Occupational Therapist and based on the student’s IEP evaluations and accompanying medical assessments and the student’s parent’s input, determine appropriate short-term instructional objectives and annual goals.

Occupational Therapist-Related Concepts

Must be able to explain, demonstrate, provide instruction, and reinforce occupational therapy goals to both the student’s parents and in-classroom staff. This will be done through working collaboratively with his/her fellow therapists, teachers, and the school principal to incorporate monthly curriculum themes into therapy sessions. The key elements of therapy sessions will include the following, when appropriate:

• Student’s fine motor skills, including hand strength and dexterity, such as handwriting skills, use of the keyboard and /or brailler.
• Use of adaptive equipment, such as adaptive feeding equipment, splints, and alternative seating equipment
• Use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices
• Perform fine motor therapeutic interventions that are both active and passive. This includes increasing the student’s ability to perform daily living tasks, such as the use of utensils, toys, and tools, and buttoning and zippering clothes.
• Participate in Orthotic and Equipment Clinics.

Commitment to the Students and Their Families

• Respect the rights of each student’s family to participate in decisions regarding their assessment and instructional program.
• Facilitate each student’s independence and problem-solving in their fine motor, sensory processing, self-care, and executive functioning skills

Commitment to the Profession and HKSB

• Required to earn 36 educational units during their three-year renewal cycle. Renewed every 3 years as a National Board-Certified Occupational Therapist and every 3 years with the New York State Office of Professions.
• Enter daily session notes into the New York City, Department of Education’s EasyTrac system.
• Compose and submit all CLC Report Cards, Quarterly and Annual Reports written based on observations and data collected from the student objectively and professionally.
• Participate and contribute in weekly team meetings and all full staff meetings.
• Maintain a professional demeanor at all times and contribute to the upkeep of their personal space and shared workspace.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Completion of a 2 year Occupational Therapy Assistant Program

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Pass the National Occupational Therapy Assistant Test, register with the National Board for Certification as an Occupation Therapy Assistant and the New York State Office of Professions. Occupational Therapy Assistants are required to earn 36 educational units during their three-year renewal cycle. Renewed every 3 years as a National Board Certified Occupational Therapist and every 3 years with the New York State Office of Professions.

Benefits

At HKS we strive to provide a healthy work-life balance for our employees. We offer generous paid time off and a comprehensive benefit package including:

• 403(B)
• 403(B) matching
• Continuing education credits
• Dental Insurance
• Health insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life Insurance
• Paid time off