Occupational Therapist

Job Summary

The Occupational Therapist (OTR/L) provides pediatric occupational therapy services to children in school and daycare settings. The therapist evaluates children’s functional abilities, develops individualized intervention plans, and delivers therapy that promotes participation in classroom activities, play, self-care, and daily routines.

The Occupational Therapist collaborates with families, teachers, childcare staff, administrators, and other professionals to help children improve the skills needed to participate safely and successfully in their educational environments.

Essential Responsibilities

• Conduct age-appropriate occupational therapy evaluations and screenings.
• Assess fine-motor, visual-motor, sensory-processing, self-care, positioning, mobility, and school-participation skills.
• Develop individualized goals and treatment plans based on evaluation results and identified needs.
• Provide individual and group occupational therapy services in classrooms, therapy spaces, and other natural environments.
• Support skills related to handwriting, cutting, classroom-tool use, feeding, dressing, toileting, play, attention, regulation, and transitions.
• Recommend adaptive equipment, assistive technology, environmental modifications, and sensory supports when appropriate.
• Participate in Individualized Education Program (IEP), Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP), 504 Plan, parent, and multidisciplinary team meetings as applicable.
• Collaborate with teachers and daycare staff to incorporate therapeutic strategies into daily routines.
• Educate families, caregivers, and staff regarding recommended activities, accommodations, and carryover strategies.
• Monitor each child’s progress and adjust interventions as needed.
• Complete evaluations, progress reports, daily notes, service logs, billing documentation, and other required records accurately and on time.
• Maintain student confidentiality and comply with applicable privacy, education, licensing, and organizational requirements.
• Follow infection-control, child-safety, mandated-reporting, and emergency procedures.
• Supervise occupational therapy assistants or students when assigned and permitted by state law.
• Travel between assigned schools and daycare locations as required.
• Perform other related duties consistent with the occupational therapist’s professional scope of practice.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s or doctoral degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited program.
• Current certification through the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).
• Current, unrestricted occupational therapy license in the state of employment.
• Current CPR and First Aid certification, or willingness to obtain them.
• Ability to successfully complete required background checks, fingerprinting, health screenings, and child-abuse clearances.
• Knowledge of pediatric development, school-based occupational therapy, and evidence-informed intervention practices.
• Strong written, verbal, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and appropriate automobile insurance when travel is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience working with children in schools, preschools, early-intervention programs, or daycare settings.
• Familiarity with IEPs, IFSPs, Section 504 plans, and special education procedures.
• Experience addressing sensory regulation, fine-motor development, visual-motor integration, handwriting, feeding, and self-care skills.
• Experience supervising occupational therapy assistants or fieldwork students.

Physical Requirements

The Occupational Therapist must be able to:

• Sit, stand, walk, bend, kneel, squat, and work at floor level.
• Move between classrooms and facilities throughout the workday.
• Lift, carry, or assist with children, equipment, and materials within employer-established safety limits.
• Demonstrate therapeutic activities and safely position children as needed.
• Use hands and arms for treatment activities, documentation, and equipment operation.
• Respond appropriately to children’s behavioral, sensory, mobility, and safety needs.

Reasonable accommodations may be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable law.

Work Environment

Services are provided in active school and daycare environments. The Occupational Therapist may work in classrooms, therapy rooms, cafeterias, playgrounds, and other educational spaces.

Pay: Up to $60.00 per hour

Work Location: In person