Occupational Therapist

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of clients using evidence‑based, person‑centered principles to develop, implement, and coordinate an occupational therapy program.
• Provide screening, evaluation, and treatment to assist clients in gaining functional skills; select the activities most appropriate to each client.
• Deliver services via direct, monitored, and consultative approaches; resolve problems in the treatment program independently.
• Maintain a caseload achieving 75% productivity while providing OT services.
• Prioritize ethical delivery of therapy with the client’s best interests at the center of all efforts.
• Document therapy services accurately and timely in accordance with facility and Federal regulations (daily service notes, assessments, treatment plans, doctor orders, communications, etc.).
• Provide 1:1 medical‑model screenings, evaluations, and direct therapy ensuring goals and objectives are met.
• Coordinate and complete client assessments, track due dates for plans of action and new treatment plans.
• Work with minimal supervision following AOTA Scope of Practice, Standard of Practice, and facility policies and procedures.
• Complete required technical training and participate in ongoing training opportunities.
• Redirect, intervene, observe, and monitor client behaviors.
• Communicate effectively with all staff members; share daily progress and client concerns with appropriate personnel.
• Participate in treatment‑team communication (formal and informal settings, e.g., rehab rounds).
• Organize and clean therapy space and equipment; help keep the facility safe, organized, and sanitary.
• Conduct various assessments as deemed appropriate.
• Guide the treatment team on proper implementation and carry‑over of OT goals in the PODS.
• Assist clients with personal care including dressing, toileting, personal hygiene, nutrition, and diet needs.
• Attend and participate in meetings; report all safety concerns to the Safety Director or direct supervisor.
• Provide leadership and clinical supervision to COTA/Ls delivering direct OT treatment.
• Provide direct therapy through a variety of activities.
• Mentor newly hired staff both formally and informally.
• Promote awareness of the OT role to parents and Partners staff; deliver in‑service trainings as directed or requested.
• Assist with interviews and selection of applicants for the OT department.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Maintain client confidentiality at all times; greet parents and clients by name and engage in respectful conversations.
• Engage only in competent exchanges of information with parents; seek assistance when necessary and use discretion with personal information.
• Take a proactive approach to solving problems; recognize appropriate steps toward resolution and seek supervisor assistance as needed.
• Respect and positively reinforce co‑workers; respect Partners’ property and assets.
• Maintain a professional appearance that meets or exceeds Partners’ dress code.
• Maintain a positive attitude, accept feedback constructively, and promote Partners’ mission statement on and off work.
• Ask for assistance when unsure of procedures; report issues/concerns to the appropriate person.
• Arrive on time for all shifts, maintain a positive attendance record, and respond to pages in a timely manner.
• Actively seek to meet career‑development goals outlined in the Career Development Plan.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited program.
• OTR/L certification from NBCOT or AOTA and licensure from the Minnesota and/or Wisconsin Department of Health.
• General knowledge of typical and special‑needs clients.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Dependable, consistent, and tactful.
• Strong problem‑solving and decision‑making abilities.
• Successful completion of initial and subsequent background checks (no felonies, substantiated client maltreatment, vulnerable adult incidents, or disqualifying misdemeanors).
• Experience or interest in working with children; ability to be playful, enthusiastic, and bring high energy to therapy.
• Good personal hygiene; avoid strong odors that may affect staff or clients.
• Ability to administer and write assessments/evaluations, treatment plans, and progress notes accurately and timely.
• Ability to work within a team and comply with supervisory direction.
• Ability to accept corrective feedback, comply with supervisory direction, and complete required and optional training.
• Active title registration with the Minnesota Department of Health.
• Active membership with the National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) or the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).

Desired Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy (or related field if the bachelor’s degree is in OT).
• Member of AOTA/MOTAP.
• Previous behavioral therapy experience.
• Knowledge of teaching procedures associated with Verbal Behavior Therapy.
• Prior therapy experience working with children with autism.

COTA Requirements

• Associate’s degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant from an accredited program.
• COTA/L certification from NBCOT.
• Title licensure from the Minnesota Department of Health.

Work Environment

The Occupational Therapist works in OT areas or throughout the center at Partners in Excellence’s center‑based programs. Assignment locations may vary, and the therapist may be required to transfer between centers depending on organizational needs.

HIPAA and Data Privacy Responsibilities

As a licensed Occupational Therapist, you will have access to protected health information (PHI) of many Partners’ clients. You must be fully knowledgeable of Partners in Excellence’s privacy policies and procedures, report any violations to your supervisor or the Privacy Official, and protect client privacy both at work and away from work.