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 in our Brooklyn Children's Learning Center.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Occupational Therapist must be able to explain, demonstrate, provide instruction, and reinforce all core areas of professionally recognized cognitive checklists. The key elements of instruction include the following but are not limited to the following themes: Pre-reading and Writing Skills, Pre-math skills, Language and Literacy, Social Studies and Arts Technology, Cognition, and General Knowledge / Science, these can come from the Oregon Project or the Carolina Curriculum for Infants and Toddlers amongst a few.

• Understand Relevant Medical Information

• Plan and Conduct Children’s Learning Center IFSP Assessments

• Commitment to the Students and their Families

  Understand Relevant Medical Information

• Describe the anatomy and physiology of the visual system.

• Describe common eye conditions/etiologies (i.e. macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, retinopathy of prematurity, glaucoma, cataracts, cortical visual impairment, etc.) of consumers and their implications on visual functioning and be able to interpret eye reports.

  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.

• Gain an understanding before formal in-person assessment through dialogue with the student’s parents and school district administrators as to the child’s present functioning level.

• Assess the student’s present level of functioning in the following areas related to their Occupational Therapy needs:

• Fine Motor Ability, including hand strength and dexterity.

• Daily Living Skills.

• Adaptive Equipment Needs.

• Orthotics

  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 eating aides, and hand and elbow splints.

• 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.

  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 upkeep their personal space and shared workspace.

  EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

  Master's Degree from a College accredited in the field of Occupational Therapy.

  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.

  CERTIFICATES, LICENSES:

• Bachelor’s or master’s Degree from a College accredited in the field of Occupational Therapy

• Pass the National Occupational Therapy Test and register with the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy and the New York State Office of Professions.

  Work Location: Brooklyn NY

  Job Type: Full-time

  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:

• 403B

• 403B matching

• Continuing education credits

• Dental Insurance

• Health insurance

• Vision insurance

• Paid time off

• Life Insurance.

  Work setting:

• In-person

• School

  Ability to commute/relocate:

• Brooklyn, NY 11201