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.
The above reflects the anticipated hourly wage range for this position if hired to work in New Jersey. The compensation offered to the candidate selected for the position will depend on several factors, including the candidate's educational background, skills and professional experience. Occupational Therapist - Children's Specialized Hospital, RWJBarnabas Health At Children's Specialized Hospital, part of RWJBarnabas Health, Occupational Therapists become part of a collaborative, family-centered environment where compassion, innovation, and clinical excellence come together to help children achieve greater independence and reach their fullest potential. This Occupational Therapist role offers opportunities for professional growth, interdisciplinary collaboration, and meaningful work supporting infants, children, adolescents, and their families through rehabilitation and functional development. As an Occupational Therapist, you will evaluate, develop, and implement individualized treatment plans for pediatric patients while partnering with families and an interdisciplinary care team to promote independence, developmental progress, and participation in meaningful daily activities. Joining Children's Specialized Hospital means becoming part of a team dedicated to delivering exceptional pediatric care while empowering every Occupational Therapist to grow, contribute, and make a lasting impact. A typical day for an Occupational Therapist may include: Evaluating pediatric patients' functional abilities using standardized assessments, clinical observations, screenings, and patient histories to develop individualized treatment plans Establishing realistic, patient-centered functional goals focused on remediation, compensation, adaptation, and prevention of functional limitations Implementing evidence-based occupational therapy interventions designed to improve physical, cognitive, perceptual, and psychosocial functioning Applying principles of activity analysis to develop age-appropriate interventions that support children's physical, cognitive, perceptual, and psychosocial development while helping families meet everyday functional goals Educating children and their families on treatment plans, home strategies, functional goals, and recommendations that support continued progress beyond therapy sessions Collaborating closely with physicians, nurses, therapists, and other interdisciplinary team members to coordinate comprehensive, family-centered care Communicating patient progress, treatment recommendations, and discharge planning effectively through both written documentation and verbal communication Assisting with the education and mentorship of staff, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTAs), aides, and students as appropriate Participating in quality improvement initiatives, seeking ongoing professional development, and incorporating feedback to enhance clinical practice Providing outpatient pediatric occupational therapy services while supporting occasional inpatient evening and weekend coverage as needed and meeting established productivity expectations This role might be for you if: You are passionate about helping children maximize independence and achieve meaningful developmental milestones You enjoy partnering with families to create individualized treatment plans that support each child's unique strengths and goals Strong communication skills allow you to build trusting relationships with patients, families, physicians, and interdisciplinary care teams You approach challenges with critical thinking, sound clinical judgment, and adaptability You value collaboration and enjoy working as part of a multidisciplinary team dedicated to exceptional pediatric care You are committed to lifelong learning and continuously expanding your clinical knowledge and skills You thrive in a dynamic healthcare environment where patient needs and priorities may evolve throughout the day To be considered for this Occupational Therapist opportunity: Graduate of an accredited Occupational Therapy program with a master's degree Must hold and maintain a current Occupational Therapist license in the State of New Jersey Minimum of a twelve-week pediatric clinical affiliation or previous pediatric occupational therapy experience preferred Knowledge of developmental theory, pediatric physical and perceptual-cognitive disabilities, and the psychosocial aspects of functional adaptation Successful completion of the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) examination and maintenance of registration preferred Maintains current American Heart Association BLS Provider certification Demonstrates excellent communication skills, sound clinical judgment, and a commitment to professional growth Ability to work collaboratively with children, families, and interdisciplinary care teams RWJBarnabas Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer Internal Apply External Apply
