Tamara Marano
Mundelein,IL
Summary
Seasoned occupational therapist (OT) with 30+ years of experience working with individuals through the lifespan. Committed to establishing genuine relationships with students/families/interdisciplinary teams while providing skilled therapeutic services to maximize functional outcomes and improve quality of life/learning. Passionate to return to orthopedic upper extremity practice.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
Occupational Therapist
Fremont School District 79
09.2024 - Current
- Conduct comprehensive evaluations to identify students' initial eligibility for special education services and/or the triennial evaluation while identifying students’ strengths and areas for growth.
- Deliver school-based occupational therapy interventions for students with IEPs, 504 Plans, and within the Structured Learning Environment (SLE).
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to promote student success and progress across academic, functional, and developmental domains.
- Participate in weekly SLE meetings, Problem Solving Team meetings, Professional Development sessions, Special Services Team meetings, Eligibility meetings, and IEP meetings to support service planning and student outcomes.
- Provide consultation to elementary school administration to enhance the delivery of occupational therapy services and improve student access to therapeutic tools and resources.
Contract Occupational Therapist
Building Block Therapies of Illinois
05.2022 - 02.2024
- Evaluated and treated children ages 2-14 years of age that were referred for OT services in a child centered therapy clinic.
- Provided specialized play based therapy that facilitated goal achievement, optimal learning of skills and generalized skills outside of the clinic.
- Increased children's participation in daily activities by addressing sensory processing challenges through tailored sensory integration strategies.
- Facilitated improved upper extremity, fine motor and visual motor skills for children through targeted interventions.
Occupational Therapist
Hawthorn School District 73
07.2016 - 06.2023
- Created and served on a cooperative Early Childhood Assessment Team for 3 years that serviced 3 school districts.
- Completed over 300+ evaluations to determine eligibility for Special Education Services and created Individualized Education Plans (IEP) if found eligible.
- Served as the primary OT in an elementary school for 3 years while completing OT evaluations, consultations and treatment minutes.
- Maintained a full time caseload of 40+ students.
- Increased staffing need to 1.5 FTE in assigned school by providing effective screening processes.
- Managed a spreadsheet of up to 100 child referrals per year; prioritizing evaluations/meetings to maintain state compliance.
- Transitioned to/from in school practice to remote teletherapy during the COVID - 19 pandemic while maintaining ISBE and school guidelines.
Occupational Therapist (Outpatient)
Advocate Condell Medical Center
02.2015 - 12.2017
- Conducted thorough evaluations to identify specific occupational performance deficits, establishing appropriate treatment goals accordingly in an outpatient clinical setting.
- Enhanced patient outcomes by implementing evidence-based therapeutic interventions and individualized treatment plans.
- Applied or fabricated orthotics based on diagnosis protocol (e.g. static/dynamic splints).
- Documented patient progress accurately and efficiently, ensuring compliance with hospital and regulatory requirements.
- Kept inventory, ordered and maintained evaluation/ treatment materials in the clinic to allow for maximal patient outcomes.
Occupational Therapist (Acute)
Northshore University Healthsystem
10.2012 - 10.2015
Occupational Therapist (Outpatient)
St. Joseph Hospital and Medical Center
06.2009 - 05.2012
Contract Occupational Therapist
Banner Medical Staffing Services
11.2008 - 03.2009
Occupational Therapist (Outpatient/Day Rehab)
Alexian Brothers Medical Center
11.2004 - 10.2008
Clinical Manager/Occupational Therapist
Comprehensive Therapeutics
05.2002 - 11.2004
Outpatient/Day Rehab Occupational Therapist
Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
02.1999 - 05.2002
Occupational Therapist (Acute - Outpatient)
Elkhart General Hospital
05.1995 - 02.1999
Occupational Therapist (Inpt. Rehab/Outpatient)
Parkview Memorial Hospital
01.1994 - 05.1995
Education
Bachelor of Science - Major: Occupational Therapy Minor: Psychology
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI12.1993
High School Diploma -
Edwardsburg High School
Edwardsburg, MI05.1989
Skills
- Orthopedic Rehabilitation
- Neurological Rehabilitation
- Splinting/Casting experience
- Adaptive Equipment selection/training
- Handwriting Without Tears/Size Matters
- Sensory Processing & Integration
- Evidenced based therapeutic techniques
- Strong clinical reasoning
- Excellent communication
- Strong team collaboration
- IEP drafting/developing
- Experience with eSped/Embrace
HOBBIES/INTEREST AREAS
- Actively involved in my children's school activities.
- Train our rescue dog.
- Utilize strong communication, scheduling and caregiving skills to support aging family members.
- Complete crafting projects using Cricut machine and painting.
- Serve in children's church programs.
- Serve as an advisor for a non for profit start up business (day care for children with special needs).
Timeline
Occupational Therapist
Fremont School District 79
09.2024 - Current
Contract Occupational Therapist
Building Block Therapies of Illinois
05.2022 - 02.2024
Occupational Therapist
Hawthorn School District 73
07.2016 - 06.2023
Occupational Therapist (Outpatient)
Advocate Condell Medical Center
02.2015 - 12.2017
Occupational Therapist (Acute)
Northshore University Healthsystem
10.2012 - 10.2015
Occupational Therapist (Outpatient)
St. Joseph Hospital and Medical Center
06.2009 - 05.2012
Contract Occupational Therapist
Banner Medical Staffing Services
11.2008 - 03.2009
Occupational Therapist (Outpatient/Day Rehab)
Alexian Brothers Medical Center
11.2004 - 10.2008
Clinical Manager/Occupational Therapist
Comprehensive Therapeutics
05.2002 - 11.2004
Outpatient/Day Rehab Occupational Therapist
Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
02.1999 - 05.2002
Occupational Therapist (Acute - Outpatient)
Elkhart General Hospital
05.1995 - 02.1999
Occupational Therapist (Inpt. Rehab/Outpatient)
Parkview Memorial Hospital
01.1994 - 05.1995
Bachelor of Science - Major: Occupational Therapy Minor: Psychology
Western Michigan University
High School Diploma -
Edwardsburg High School
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