Occupational Therapist (Bronx)

Gersh Autism Academy • New York, NY

5d • $90,000 - $90,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Gersh Organization is seeking an Occupational Therapist to provide occupational therapy support to children in grades K–12. The role collaborates regularly with other disciplines and services at departmental and system levels. The Occupational Therapist independently reviews outcomes and modifies intervention programs, using clinical reasoning and professional judgment to support student safety and protect the school system and therapist from liability. The ideal candidate has experience with screening, evaluation, educational program and transition planning, therapeutic intervention, and exit planning for students with disabilities.

The Occupational Therapist evaluates students’ occupational performance using functional, behavioral, and standardized assessments, observation, checklists, histories, and interviews. The role synthesizes results into written reports, develops intervention plans, participates in multidisciplinary meetings and IEP planning, and works with school personnel, families, students, and community agencies. It includes delivering and monitoring treatment aligned with treatment plans and IEP goals, maintaining records and schedules, and maintaining treatment areas, equipment, and supplies.

The position carries a caseload of at least 45 30-minute sessions per week, with other counselor sessions covered as needed. Make-up sessions must be completed within the month, and utilization of students’ IEP mandates or CSE recommendations must be at or above 85% each week. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with one day per week extending to 4:00 p.m. for a team meeting. The role is based in a school/classroom setting in the Bronx, New York. Physical duties may include supporting or lifting students, moving throughout the day, and intervening to ensure safety, including CPI procedures when needed.

Requirements

• Graduate from an accredited occupational therapy professional program recognized by NBCOT and complete all fieldwork requirements.
• Hold State OTR/L licensure in the state of hire.
• Have one year of experience as an occupational therapist; school-system or pediatric practice experience is preferred.
• Have sensory knowledge.
• Have excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Be able to stand, walk, bend, kneel, and move throughout the workday.
• Be able to lift, assist, or physically support students; the physical requirements section specifies lifting at least 50–65 pounds and also notes lifting up to 25 pounds in the working-conditions section.
• Be able to physically intervene when required for safety, per CPI training, and quickly remove oneself and/or others from unsafe situations.
• Be able to maintain attention and focus in a dynamic, high-stimulation environment, multitask, and shift priorities quickly.
• Be able to exercise sound judgment and make decisions in high-pressure or safety-sensitive situations.
• Be able to work effectively as part of a team, maintain professional relationships, and perform duties under stress, including during behavioral escalations.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with children with disabilities.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with other disciplines to support shared understanding of students’ occupational strengths and needs through evaluation, educational program planning, and service delivery.
• Evaluate students’ abilities and develop occupational profiles using functional, behavioral, and standardized assessments, skilled observation, checklists, histories, and interviews.
• Synthesize evaluation results into comprehensive written reports describing strengths and barriers to participation, directing program development, and guiding evidence-based intervention.
• Develop occupationally based intervention plans based on student needs and evaluation results.
• Participate in multidisciplinary meetings to review and integrate evaluation findings, make recommendations, and develop IEPs and intervention plans to achieve goals.
• Teach, monitor, and collaborate with educational personnel, community agencies, parents, and students to increase understanding of students’ occupational performance.
• Provide continuing education and in-service training for educational personnel, parents, and community-based service providers.
• Follow treatment plans and IEP goals to improve, develop, restore, or maintain children’s participation in self-maintenance, work, leisure, and play in educational environments.
• Maintain a caseload of at least 45 30-minute sessions per week and cover other counselor sessions as needed.
• Complete make-up sessions within the month and maintain weekly utilization of student mandates or CSE recommendations at or above 85%.
• Maintain high standards of confidentiality, attendance, and flexibility, and work cooperatively with supervisors and other employees.
• Maintain records and documentation.
• Recommend modifications to treatment approaches to reflect children’s changing needs.
• Communicate and interact with team members, school personnel, and families.
• Maintain treatment areas, equipment, and supply inventory.
• Develop and maintain a daily schedule that includes students, classrooms, and other activities and duties.
• Perform other position-related responsibilities assigned by the Program Director.
• Help keep students safe, including implementing CPI therapeutic holds when applicable, physically supporting students, and removing oneself or others from unsafe situations when necessary.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation package.
• Comprehensive health and retirement benefits.
• Professional development opportunities and a supportive work environment committed to personal and professional growth.
• Health care plan (medical, dental, and vision).
• Retirement plan with 401(k) matching.
• Life insurance (basic, voluntary, and AD&D).
• Family leave (maternity and paternity).
• Short-term and long-term disability.
• Training and development.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time