An Occupational Therapist helps patients with injuries, illnesses, and disabilities recover, improve, or develop skills needed for everyday activities. Assists people with mobility impairments to move easily around their homes; develops school and workplace settings that are accessible for individuals with physical or mental disabilities. May specialize in certain types of impairments or certain categories of patients.
As a Thrive OT , you will deliver school-based occupational therapy services to students K-12 whose disabilities affect their ability to access education. Your work will focus on fine motor development, sensory processing, self-care, and classroom participation. You are a full member of the community.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES EVALUATION & ELIGIBILITY
Conduct comprehensive OT evaluations to determine educational need and IDEA eligibility, including assessment of fine motor skills, sensory processing, visual-motor integration, self-care, and classroom participation Administer and interpret standardized assessment tools (Beery VMI, SIPT, BOT-2, SPM, COPM, and others) as appropriate to the referral Write evaluation reports that are clinically rigorous, educationally relevant, and accessible to IEP team members and families Participate in eligibility determination meetings and translate OT findings for educational planning purposes Conduct re-evaluations (triennials) in accordance with IDEA timelines
IEP DEVELOPMENT & SERVICE DELIVERY
Develop individualized OT IEP goals targeting skills that affect educational access — including handwriting, fine motor coordination, sensory regulation, and functional self-care Deliver direct individual and small-group therapy sessions using evidence-based OT frameworks (Ayres Sensory Integration, CO-OP, sensory diet programming, and others) Design and implement sensory diets, environmental modifications, and adaptive equipment recommendations to support classroom participation Provide consultative services to teachers and paraprofessionals on sensory accommodations and adaptive strategies Maintain accurate, timely service logs and progress notes — supported by Thrive's AI documentation tools
COLLABORATION & ADAPTIVE SUPPORTS
Partner with SLPs, PTs, BCBAs, school psychologists, and special education teachers on integrated, student-centered IEP teams Evaluate for and recommend adaptive equipment, positioning tools, and assistive technology to support educational access Train teachers, paraprofessionals, and families on sensory strategies, handwriting supports, and ADL skill generalization Contribute to
RTI/MTSS
frameworks by providing universal sensory screening and Tier 1/Tier 2 motor skill consultation Coordinate with physical therapists on overlapping mobility, positioning, and motor goals
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
Master's or bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy from an ACOTE-accredited program NBCOT certification (OTR) in good standing Active state OT license in good standing, or documented initiation of licensure transfer prior to start date Knowledge of
IDEA, IEP
process, and the educational model of
OT PREFERRED
1+ years of school-based OT experience Training or certification in Ayres Sensory Integration (ASI) or related sensory processing frameworks Experience with AAC and assistive technology evaluation and implementation Familiarity with RTI/MTSS and universal design for learning (UDL) frameworks Experience serving students with autism, intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, or developmental coordination disorder
