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We are Aspire Living & Learning, a non-profit human services agency making a meaningful difference in the lives of adults and children with autism and other disabilities.
Aspire Living & Learning is currently seeking a School-Based Occupational Therapist to play a vital role in administering occupational therapy assessments to determine functioning levels relative to a persons’ age and educational placement in areas such as fine/gross motor skill development, sensory-motor integration, self-care and the activities of daily living.
Schedule: M-F 7a-3p
Salary: $75,000- $95,000
Location: Stamford, CT
Key Responsibilities:
The following outlines key areas the OT will be responsible for:
Consultation and Oversight:
The OT consults with other members of the educational team regarding occupational therapy services and best practices. Provides oversight of therapy programs and consults with educational staff regarding the inclusion of appropriate occupational therapy treatment strategies into the education program(s). Evaluates the efficacy of the established program(s) and makes modifications within the framework as needed.
Assessment and Intervention:
Administers OT assessments to determine a student’s level of functioning relative to their age and educational placement in such areas as fine/gross motor skill development, sensory-motor integration, self-care, and the activities of daily living. Creates assessment reports identifying the student’s needs and proposed treatment strategies. Develops occupational therapy treatment plans based on the educational goals for eligible students to improve the student’s functional abilities within the school and naturalistic settings, in collaboration with the IEP team.
Relationships & Communication:
Develops partnerships with the educational community in order to best support the needs of the students. Work collaboratively with staff and families to assist with the coordination of OT goals and services within the educational program. Effectively communicate treatment needs and recommendations.
- Cultivate a positive and productive workplace atmosphere to enhance team morale and productivity.
- Participate in and complete training sessions as delegated by management to enhance skills and knowledge relevant to the role.
- Conduct training as required and assigned.
- Perform any additional job responsibilities assigned by supervisors or team leaders to support the organization's smooth operation.
- Accept reassignment as required.
Qualifications:
- Registered with the American Occupational Therapy Association and/or certified with the National Board of Occupational Therapy
- Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills
- Must have satisfactory background checks
- Valid driver’s license and safe driving record
Working Conditions:
As an Occupational Therapist dedicated to supporting children in the school setting, you'll find yourself immersed in a dynamic and impactful environment. Here's what you can expect regarding working conditions:
- Primary work is done within the classroom however it is expected that staff will monitor/work with students during indoor/outdoor physical activities (playground/gym); support students during academic, related service (Speech, PT), and behavioral programming; and assist in toileting if applicable.
- This role may encounter challenging behaviors and situations, requiring patience, empathy, and effective behavior management strategies and the ability to perform Physical Management Techniques (PMT) as needed.
- Ability to handle physical aspects of job, including bending, stooping, lifting, pushing, pulling, reaching, and walking for periods of time.
- Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds at times.
- May be required to travel.
- Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable qualified people with disabilities to perform the described essential functions of this position.
- Working conditions may vary depending on the specific classroom, and the assigned children’s needs.
Employees at Aspire enjoy working with a collaborative and dedicated team that values a culture of belonging and care. We take pride in offering a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees, including:
- Comprehensive Health, Dental, & Vision Insurance - Choose from multiple medical plans, with vision coverage included at no extra cost.
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Saving Account (HSA) options - Use pre-tax dollars for medical and dependent care expenses.
- Lifestyle Spending Accounts with JOON - Monthly funds for wellness, fitness, commuting, childcare, pet care, and more.
- 403(b) Retirement Plan with Employer Match - A 100% match on contributions up to 2% of your salary.
- Generous Paid Time Off - Paid sick, personal, and vacation days, plus holidays.
- Professional Growth Opportunities - Access to training, leadership and management courses, mentorship, and career advancement.
- Employer-Paid Life & Disability Insurance, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Telehealth Services and more!
If you want to join us in making a difference and positively impact the lives of others while charting your own path of development, then we at the Aspire team would love to hear from you.
Aspire Living & Learning believes it must play an active role in creating a community of employees that is diverse, inclusive and equitable. Our work benefits greatly from the contributions of people of color, people from working class backgrounds, women, LGBTQ people, and individuals with disabilities. Hence, we strongly encourage applications from people with these identities or who are members of other marginalized communities.