Local Contract Occupational Therapist - $55-60 per hour

Local contract Occupational Therapist position in Arlington Heights, Illinois, for a school setting. 13-week assignment starting 08/24/2026, 40 hours per week, day shift.

About the role

The Occupational Therapist assesses students’ functional physical development, plans and implements treatment to meet individual student objectives, identifies architectural barriers, and provides recommendations for accessibility, program development, and student placement within various school locations.

Responsibilities

• Administers occupational therapy procedures and modalities to achieve IEP/504 plan objectives.
• Assesses students’ fine motor skills, sensory processing skills, and functional abilities (e.g., perceptual-motor, hand functions, motor coordination, sensory development, muscle strength) to determine program eligibility and develop treatment recommendations.
• Collaborates with parents, teachers, physicians, administration, maintenance personnel, and other professionals to communicate information, resolve issues, and provide services in compliance with guidelines.
• Consults with teachers, parents, and other personnel to provide requested information, develop service plans, and coordinate occupational therapy with other disciplines.
• Develops treatment plans, interventions, and educational materials to remediate students’ motor skill deficits and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Identifies structural issues to remove barriers for students with physical limitations and recommend appropriate assistive technology.
• Instructs students and staff on medical/behavioral attributes, assistive device use, and remediation plans.
• Interprets medical reports to ensure treatment/intervention plans are appropriate.
• Maintains files and records (e.g., progress reports, activity logs, billing information, treatment plans) for compliance and reference.
• Participates in meetings, workshops, and seminars (e.g., training, IEPs, team meetings) to convey and gather information.
• Performs site visits, including home visits, to provide direct therapy interventions as required.
• Prepares written materials (e.g., activity logs, correspondence, memos, treatment plans, Medicaid billings, reports) to document activities and convey information.
• Provides direct occupational therapy to develop students’ daily living skills in compliance with established goals.
• Researches resources and methods (e.g., intervention techniques, assessment tools, community resources) to determine appropriate approaches for students’ functional goals.
• Travels to various work sites to provide consultative services and direct therapy.
• Serves as an IEP team member to screen, diagnose, and determine eligibility for occupational therapy services.
• Completes all required components of occupational therapy case study evaluations.
• Enhances student mobility and participation in educational activities by improving strength, accuracy, and speed.
• Improves manipulative skills for self-care and paper/pencil tasks through reach, grasp, and dexterity.
• Enhances comfort and participation by maintaining functional postures.
• Increases functional use of hands and visual regard by providing stable positions.
• Ensures independence in feeding and oral motor skills for safety and nourishment.
• Facilitates safety in the school environment by reducing injury risks during movement or task performance.
• Improves success in fine motor school tasks by enhancing eye-hand coordination.
• Increases functional use of extremities through adapted equipment.
• Enhances learning ability through sensorimotor activities addressing motor planning, attending, and behavior.
• Facilitates student independence through assistive technology access.
• Performs consultative and resource services for parents, classroom teachers, and other professionals.

Requirements

• Prior job-related experience.
• Regular sitting, speaking, hearing, and use of hands; occasional standing, walking, reaching, stooping, kneeling, and lifting up to 10 pounds.
• Registered Occupational Therapist – State of Illinois.
• Valid Illinois Driver’s License.
• Valid CPR Certification.
• CPI Certification.

Pay

Occupational Therapist (OT) hourly rate: $55–$60/hour.

Schedule

• Start Date: 08/24/2026.
• Duration: 13 weeks.
• 40 hours per week (35 billable hours).
• Shift: 7 hours, days (School Day Schedule).
• Employment Type: Local Contract.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• Company-paid Basic Life/AD&D and Long-Term Disability for employees working 30+ hours/week.
• Paid sick leave may be available based on hours worked and state laws.
• 401(k) Savings Plan eligibility for employees 21+.