School OTs: Feeling short on time? Here’s how to streamline your schedule and optimize your OT service delivery.

<h2>A Step-by-Step Guide for Managing Your Time as a School-Based Occupational Therapist</h2>Being a school-based occupational therapist can be personally rewarding and lots of fun, but only when you feel you’ve got enough time.School days are short, there’s not much available time to work with kids, and the year seems to fly by. As a school OT, you have to find the time to serve students, attend IEP meetings, keep up with data, juggle communications, <a href="https://www.crosscountryeducation.com/blogs/school-based-ots" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">collaborate with colleagues</a>, and much more!Plus, it’s important to leave work at work, so you can relax at home and return to work refreshed and ready to go.Try implementing these steps to streamline your schedule and optimize the way you deliver OT services!<ol><li>First, create a list of all the items you have to do and label them as: between sessions, daily, weekly, monthly, annually or as needed. Keep the list handy in your calendar or agenda. Here’s an example:</li></ol> Task Timeline Review your calendar/agenda Daily/weekly Check and respond to emails and phone calls Daily/as needed Prepare for and attend IEP meetings As needed Schedule OT sessions Daily Prepare and plan for sessions (activities, materials, equipment) Daily Serve students (push-in/pull-out) Daily Clean up (sanitize equipment, wash hands, etc.) Between sessions Travel (between classrooms or schools) Between sessions Review student files/evaluations Daily Evaluate/assess students As needed Develop treatment plans As needed Order equipment As needed Train/advise teachers/para pros As needed Manage OT assistants (OTAs) Daily (if relevant) Collect data As needed Assess progress As needed Evaluate your own performance (review professional goals) Monthly/annually Research OT methods and strategies that can improve services Monthly/annually &nbsp;<ol><li>Next, review your calendar or agenda with your list in mind. Schedule everything you can. For example, block out time each morning and afternoon to review your schedule, check emails and return calls. Put a note on one day each month to reflect on your own performance and research <a href="https://www.crosscountryeducation.com/blogs/how-school-ots-can-help-students-with-typing" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">OT methods</a>. Group similar tasks, so you can be more efficient rather than feeling like you’re spinning around in circles.</li><li>Keep organized resource files. Knowing where your go-to resources are can save you time and energy. Use your browsers’ bookmarks folder to keep things organized. Create (and stick to) a logical naming system for your computer folders and files.</li><li>Take wellness breaks. Throughout the day, <a href="https://www.crosscountryeducation.com/blogs/self-care-strategies-for-school-ots" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">practice self-care</a>. Take time to briefly walk outside, take some deep breaths, and get centered. Don’t forget to use the bathroom and eat healthy snacks! Educators are notorious for neglecting the necessities since they’re in such a rush.</li><li>Say no when you need to. Don’t take on more than you can handle. Don’t be afraid to ask for more time if you need it. When you create your schedule, try to be realistic about what’s humanly possible. Many educational professionals burn out because they hit the ground running and want to ace every “test.” Do your best and pace yourself.</li><li>Tidy up. Clearing your workspace of clutter can do wonders for your psyche, especially if you’re feeling overwhelmed! Set a timer for 5 or 10 minutes and organize. OTs have a lot of resources, equipment and paperwork. Getting these in order can help you find what you need and save time. Plus, it’s just more professional to be tidy.</li></ol>Find out where students need your specialized skills as a <a href="https://www.crosscountryeducation.com/home" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">school OT</a> now!

Time Management Tips for School OTs