Pediatric Occupational Therapist – Maternity Leave Coverage / Potential Ongoing Position

Independent Contractor (1099)
Temporary maternity leave coverage with opportunity for ongoing employment

Little Pineapples Play Therapy is looking for a warm, energetic, and creative Pediatric Occupational Therapist to provide maternity leave coverage beginning approximately December 2026.

This position is expected to provide approximately 2–4 months of maternity leave coverage, with flexibility surrounding the exact start and end dates. For the right therapist, there is also the opportunity to continue with our practice after maternity leave coverage ends, particularly for an ongoing after-school caseload.

Schedule:

Maternity leave coverage is anticipated to be:

• Monday–Thursday
• Approximately 11:00 AM–6:00 PM
• Exact hours may vary based on caseload and therapist availability

Following maternity leave, there may be an opportunity to transition into an ongoing afternoon/after-school therapist position Monday–Friday, depending on therapist interest and practice needs.

About the Position

Little Pineapples is a small pediatric outpatient therapy practice on Daniel Island. Our sessions are highly individualized, child-led, play-based, and relationship-focused. We value therapists who are comfortable following a child's interests while intentionally incorporating therapeutic goals through movement, sensory-motor play, fine motor activities, self-regulation work, and functional skill development.

The majority of treatment will take place in our Daniel Island outpatient clinic, with the possibility of providing services at one or two nearby Daniel Island preschools (within walking distance of the clinic).

Responsibilities may include:

• Providing individualized pediatric occupational therapy treatment
• Following each child’s lead and interests to create meaningful, play-based therapeutic experiences that naturally address individualized goals.
• Completing timely treatment documentation
• Communicating appropriately with parents/caregivers
• Collaborating with other therapists as needed
• Providing occasional preschool-based services nearby
• Maintaining a safe, welcoming, and child-centered therapeutic environment

We're Looking for Someone Who:

• Holds a current South Carolina Occupational Therapy license
• Is NBCOT certified and in good standing
• Has pediatric experience or a strong interest in pediatric OT
• Is comfortable working independently in an outpatient setting
• Is playful, creative, flexible, and able to build strong relationships with children and families
• Has strong communication and documentation skills
• Is reliable and comfortable managing an assigned caseload
• Has reliable transportation for any local preschool visits
• Strongly believes in a child-led approach and is comfortable allowing the child’s interests, ideas, and choices to guide the session rather than relying on therapist-directed activities
• Is skilled at following a child’s lead while naturally and intentionally addressing therapeutic goals through play

Experience with sensory processing, emotional/self-regulation, fine and gross motor development, executive functioning, and/or DIR/Floortime or other child-led approaches is a plus, but not required.

Position Details

This is a 1099 independent contractor position and is not salaried. Health insurance and traditional employee benefits are not provided.

Start: December 1, 2026
Transition/Onboarding: December 1 through the holiday break will serve as a supported transition period. The therapist will have the opportunity to work alongside the practice owner, become familiar with the caseload and families, and learn the clinic's child-led treatment approach before independently assuming maternity leave coverage in January.
Maternity Leave Coverage: Approximately January–March 2027
Schedule: Monday–Thursday, primarily daytime/afternoon hours
Location: Daniel Island, SC, with occasional services at nearby preschools within walking distance of the clinic
Support: Although the therapist will independently manage the caseload during maternity leave, the practice owner will remain local and available for questions and support as needed.
Potential for Continuation: Yes — ongoing after-school hours may be available following maternity leave coverage.

If you love pediatrics, enjoy making therapy genuinely fun, and are looking for a flexible position within a small and supportive practice, we'd love to hear from you!

Please submit your resume along with a brief introduction describing your pediatric experience, availability beginning in December, and whether you would be interested in potentially continuing with an after-school caseload following the maternity leave coverage period.

Pay: $48.00 - $72.00 per hour

Expected hours: 15.0 – 20.0 per week

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule

Work Location: In person