Academy Occupational Therapist

Lauren's Institute For Education•Gilbert, AZ

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Lauren’s Institute for Education (L.I.F.E.) is seeking an Academy Occupational Therapist to provide therapeutic services to learners with developmental disabilities. The therapist evaluates learners, develops and monitors interventions and educational supports, integrates therapeutic strategies into Academy environments, and collaborates with families, staff, and interdisciplinary teams. The role also includes staff coaching and training, consultation on adaptive equipment and environmental modifications, documentation and data analysis, and supervision of assistants or trainees as applicable. The position is a 10-month contract.

Requirements

Graduate or doctoral degree, as required by the applicable therapy discipline, from an accredited educational program.
Current Arizona licensure, or license eligibility if permitted, in the applicable therapy discipline; maintain required professional certifications.
Knowledge of applicable federal and state laws, licensing regulations, ethical standards, payer requirements, educational practices, and professional standards governing therapy services.
Current Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card.
Current CPR, First Aid, and Article 9 certification, and P.R.O.U.D. Certification or ability to obtain it within the required timeframe.
Understanding of developmental milestones, social skill deficits, maladaptive behaviors, evidence-based therapeutic interventions, and collaborative interdisciplinary service delivery.
Strong clinical reasoning, organizational, written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
Ability to collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, exercise sound clinical judgment, maintain professional boundaries, and promote positive learner outcomes.
Ability to communicate clearly and remain attentive to surroundings for extended periods.
Ability to stand, walk, sit, bend, kneel, or reach as part of daily responsibilities.
Ability to lift and move up to 50 pounds when assisting consumers with mobility, transfers, equipment, or program materials.
Ability to push or move items up to 50 pounds, such as wheelchairs, furniture, or supplies.
Adequate close, distance, and peripheral vision to complete job-related tasks safely and effectively.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with children and/or adults with developmental disabilities; equivalent pediatric or clinical experience may be considered.
Experience providing therapy services in pediatric, educational, developmental disability, home, community-based, or interdisciplinary settings.
Experience developing and implementing treatment plans, Individual Learning Plan (ILP) goals, classroom supports, and consultative service models.
Experience conducting evaluations and standardized assessments, and handling documentation, billing, payer authorization requirements, and progress reporting.
Experience providing classroom consultation, staff coaching, professional development, or discipline-specific training.
Experience supervising therapy assistants, students, interns, or clinical trainees consistent with professional licensure requirements.
Knowledge of DES/DDD, AHCCCS, educational service models, and applicable payer requirements and service specifications.
Strong organizational and time management skills, including managing multiple priorities, competing deadlines, and diverse service environments.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook), electronic medical record systems, and educational or clinical documentation platforms.
Professionalism, discretion, customer service, and ability to build positive working relationships with learners, families, staff, community partners, and interdisciplinary teams.
Ability to adapt to changing organizational priorities while supporting continuous quality improvement and evidence-based practice.

Responsibilities

Evaluate learners using standardized assessments, observation, interviews, record review, and clinical judgment, including when acting in a supervisory role for assigned assistants.
Develop, implement, monitor, and revise educational supports, consultative recommendations, and therapeutic interventions within the therapist’s licensed scope of practice and aligned with transdisciplinary goals and learner outcomes.
Provide consultation, classroom-based supports, and group programming based on learner and organizational needs.
Integrate therapeutic strategies into Academy environments to support participation, independence, communication, motor skills, sensory regulation, and functional performance, promoting generalization across environments.
Maintain classroom schedules and provide structured and informal observations, coaching, modeling, and consultation to Academy staff to support carryover of therapeutic strategies.
Provide short-term individual consultative support and targeted interventions when clinically indicated.
Assist with developing, implementing, and monitoring ILP goals associated with the designated discipline and transdisciplinary treatment objectives.
Collect, analyze, and interpret data to evaluate progress, guide clinical decisions, adjust interventions, and complete required documentation, including daily reflections, progress reports, clinical records, and billing documentation as applicable.
Communicate and collaborate with families, caregivers, educational staff, medical providers, and interdisciplinary teams to coordinate care.
Participate in ILP meetings, case reviews, consultations, and required organizational meetings, contributing clinical insight and recommendations.
Develop and deliver staff training, professional development, and discipline-specific education.
Consult on adaptive equipment, assistive technology, environmental modifications, and therapeutic supports, including assessment, implementation, staff training, and follow-up monitoring.
Use therapeutic and behavior support strategies consistent with organizational expectations and individualized behavior support plans.
Follow organizational policies, professional standards, payer requirements, licensing regulations, and applicable laws.
Complete required trainings, fidelity assessments, and continuing education, and maintain licensure and certifications.
Ensure incidents are documented, reported, and followed up according to organizational policy and regulatory requirements.
Supervise assistants, students, interns, or trainees as applicable and consistent with licensure requirements.
Serve as a clinical resource by educating, mentoring, consulting with, and supporting staff and team members.
Participate in quality improvement initiatives, program development, and organizational projects to enhance service delivery.
Maintain ethical and professional standards and perform duties safely.
Perform other duties as assigned.