Occupational Therapist

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 in 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.

Helen Keller Services for the Blind is thrilled to announce we will be expanding our Children's Learning Center to two brand-new Long Island locations in Nassau and Suffolk County! These state-of-the-art facilities will serve preschool children who are blind or have low vision, as well as multiple disabilities, autism, Down syndrome, or pervasive developmental delays. This expansion reflects HKSB’s commitment to ensuring that Long Island families have access to the same high-quality early education and support services that have transformed lives in our Brooklyn Children Learning Center.

We currently have an exciting opening for an Occupational Therapist in our soon to open Suffolk County Preschool! Located in Islandia, NY, the Occupational Therapist provides one to one and/or group sessions with preschool children whose IEP mandates occupational therapy sessions.

Specific responsibilities will include

• Record daily session notes into the appropriate system.
• Compose and submit all Children’s Learning Center Quarterly and Annual Reports according to the associated deadlines
• Participate and contribute to 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 work space.
• The position 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, whenappropriate:
• Student’sfine motor skills, including hand strength and dexterity, such as handwriting skills, use of the keyboard and /or braille.
• 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 adaptive daily living skills.
• Participate in Orthotic and Equipment Clinics as required.
• This position commitment to the students and their families as shown through the following:
• Respect the rights of each student’s family to participate in assessment and instructional program.
• Facilitate each student’s independence and problem solving in their fine motor, sensory processing, self-care, and executive functioning skills
• Communicate regularly with families of our students through the digital communication platform or other means of communication. Respond to parent inquiresin a timely manner.
• The OTis required to earn 36 educational units during their three-year renewal cycle.This is renewed every 3 years as a National Board-Certified Occupational Therapist and every 3 years with the New York State Office of Professions.
• The position maintains a professional demeanor at all times and contribute to the upkeep of their personal space and shared workspace.
• All staff must complete the 5-hour Health and Safety Training as well as the 2-hour Mandated Reporter Training. These pre-service trainings count toward the total training hours required within the first six months of employment.
• Within the first six months of employment, staff must complete a total of 15 hours of approved training.
• Following the initial six-month period covering the first year, staff are required to complete 15 hours of approved training annually, resulting in a minimum of 30 hours of approved training every two years

Responsible for other duties as may be assigned or requested by his/her immediate supervisor and/or the Director of the Department.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Masters or Doctoral Degree from a College accredited in the field of Occupational Therapy required. Must have strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary team

Certificates, licenses, registrations

Must successfully pass the National Occupational Therapy Test, register with the National Board for Certification in Occupation Therapy and the New York State Office of Professions. Occupational Therapists 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.

Physical demands

The employee must frequently lift and/or move children that are up to 50 pounds safely. Additionally, the employee must be able to safely move children into and out of adaptive equipment, wheelchairs and strollers.

Benefits

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

Paid Time Off (in accordance with the school calendar), Paid Personal Time and Paid Sick Time

Health Benefits Package including Medical, Dental and Vision coverage

Healthcare Flexible Spending Accounts: Life Insurance and Disability benefits

Voluntary Ancillary Benefits: 403 (b) Savings Plan with company match

Employee Assistance Program