Time management to the rescue! Streamline your day, reduce stress, and deliver the best possible occupational therapy services for your students.

<p>If you’re a <strong>school-based occupational therapist,</strong> 
you know <strong>how rewarding the job can be.</strong> You get to generate creative ways to 
help your students thrive in and out of school, work with a <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/blog/school-based-ots?" target="_blank">team</a> of colleagues, 
teachers, parents and administrators, and watch your kids achieve new heights 
that will impact the rest of their lives! However, you also know <strong>how busy your 
day can get.</strong> All these rewards come amidst a barrage of tasks like conducting 
evaluations and assessments, keeping up with scheduling, shuffling paperwork and files, 
    communicating via phone and email, collecting data, and preparing reports. </p>
</br>
<p>Need we go on? <strong>The day can become can be overwhelming.</strong></p>
</br>
<p>Time management to the rescue! </p>
<p>Honing your time management skills can help you effectively <strong>navigate these tasks 
    and enjoy the rewards.</strong> Managing your precious time can help you <strong>avoid burnout, 
    stress and lost productivity,</strong> which can impact the quality of services you 
    provide to your students. These <strong>time management tips for school-based OTs</strong> 
    can help you manage your OT caseload and enhance your productivity, so you 
    can <strong>provide top-level 
    services, reduce stress,</strong> and <strong>enjoy the rewards of the career you love.</strong> </p>

    <h2>Top Time Management Tips for School Occupational Therapists</h2>
    <h3>1. Use a Scheduling System</h3>
    <p>Whether you prefer a digital solution or a paper calendar, create a system 
        for how you approach scheduling. A <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/blog/time-management-tips-for-school-ots?" target="_blank">scheduling system</a> 
        can keep you from 
        reinventing the wheel each week. Start by determining your caseload, frequency, 
        duration, location and type of therapy sessions to get an idea of the number of 
        OT sessions you’ll need to schedule each day. Then, create a scheduling template – 
        a scaffold of sorts – that outlines times and days OT sessions can be scheduled. 
        Be sure to block out time for administrative work. Consider that IEP meetings, 
        staff meetings, consults, calls, etc.,
         will pop up. Then customize your scheduling system as you go.  </p>

         <h3>2. Set Realistic Goals and Deadlines</h3>
<p> Of course, unexpected events that take time out of your schedule will arise 
    during the day. If you can build in a buffer, you’ll set yourself up for success. 
Sometimes, not meeting our goals or timeline can make us feel like we’ve failed. When, 
in reality, many events are out of our control. You will have to dance around the school 
schedule, but when possible, create padding for your appointments and tasks – 
adding transition time on each end. Keep this in mind when you commit to others. 
That way, you won’t feel you’ve gone back on your word. </p>


<h3>3. Minimize Distractions</h3>
<p>
    By nature, the school environment is rife with distractions. When working with students, 
    distractions can interrupt your limited time together and impede progress. 
    Anticipating potential distractions and implementing strategies to address 
    them can create a more effective therapy environment for you and your students. 
    To minimize distractions, consider closing the door during therapy sessions, 
    using a do not disturb sign, using noise-canceling headphones, turning off 
    notifications on your phone and email, giving students frequent breaks, 
    and using <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/blog/how-to-engage-students-with-behavior-issues?" target="_blank">
    engaging, meaningful activities</a> that keep students' attention.

</p>

<h3>4. Delegate Tasks </h3>
<p> Consider whether you can delegate any of the tasks on your plate. Are you one 
    of the lucky school-based OTs with an occupational therapy assistant (OTA)? 
    Do you have access to paraprofessionals, teacher assistants or other OTs? 
    Delegating tasks like setting up equipment, preparing materials, organizing 
    files, or supervising students during therapy activities can help streamline 
    services. Be sure to provide clear guidelines and instructions, check in on 
    progress, and give support and feedback as needed. </p>

<h3>5. Use Technology </h3>
<p> What tech tools can you access as a school-based OT? Check with your colleagues, school leadership and the district to see what’s available and allowable. Using technology can help improve communication and enhance therapy. Consider apps that help students with fine motor skills, sensory processing, or handwriting; assistive technology, including speech-to-text, 
switch devices, and adaptive keyboards; and AAC tech, including communication boards 
and speech-generating devices. Think about how technology can help you in service 
delivery, communicating with families, and keeping up with data and reporting.</p>

<h3>6. Practice Self-Care</h3>
<p> Practicing <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/blog/self-care-strategies-for-school-ots?" target="_blank">
self-care</a> can help you avoid burnout and bring the best version of 
    yourself to school each day. Set boundaries between work and home life. Avoid 
    bringing work home with you. During the day, take breaks, stretch, have healthy 
    snacks, and take deep breaths. Be sure to get plenty of exercise – take walks 
    after lunch if possible. Maintain your network of friends and family and reach 
    out for support when needed. Talk with your supervisor if you’re overwhelmed or 
    seek professional help. Finally, make time for the things you love to do. Do you 
    like biking, hiking, reading, swimming, traveling, drawing, painting, etc.? 
    Cultivate a new hobby or interest to lift your spirits.
</p>

<h3>7. Get Organized</h3>
<p> Getting organized will free up time! It’s also a great way to have a little boost. 
    Clear off your desk and give everything a good dusting and wipe down. Then sort 
    those files. Keep a daily to-do list, and be sure to maintain your calendar. Next, 
    sort all of your therapy materials. Organize things in a way that makes the most 
    sense – keeping items you use closest, using color-coded files, labeling storage 
    boxes, building therapy kits, etc. </p>

    </br>
<p>Thanks for reading our resource on time management for busy school OTs! We hope you find it a helpful 
    addition to your OT toolkit! Whether you're a seasoned occupational therapist or 
    just starting in the field, these tips can help you <strong>
        make the most of your time</strong> and <strong>thrive as a school-based OT.</strong>

</p></br>
<p>To find out where students need occupational therapists at <strong>exciting 
    locations nationwide,</strong> browse our <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/education" target="_blank">jobs for OTs</a> now</p>


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Time Management Tips for Busy School-Based Occupational Therapists

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