Occupational Therapist (West Hempstead)- $3,500 Sign On Bonus

The Gersh Organization is seeking an Occupational Therapist to provide occupational therapy support to children K-12. A $3,500 sign-on bonus is offered.

About the role

Gersh Autism empowers students on the autism spectrum to reach their full potential through personalized K-12 education and comprehensive therapeutic services, including speech, physical, and occupational therapy, as well as vocational training. The Occupational Therapist will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, independently review outcomes, and modify intervention programs to ensure student safety and academic, social, and emotional growth.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with other disciplines to ensure team understanding of student occupational performance strengths and needs through evaluation, educational program planning, and service delivery.
• Evaluate students’ abilities and formulate occupational profiles using functional, behavioral, and standardized assessments, skilled observation, checklists, histories, and interviews.
• Synthesize evaluation results into comprehensive written reports reflecting strengths and barriers to student participation in the educational environment.
• Develop occupationally based intervention plans based on student needs and evaluation results.
• Participate in multidisciplinary meetings to review evaluation results, integrate findings, offer recommendations, and develop IEPs and intervention plans.
• Teach, monitor, and collaborate with educational personnel, community agencies, parents, and students to increase understanding of occupational performance.
• Provide continuing education and in-services for educational personnel, parents, and community-based service providers.
• Follow treatment plans/IEP goals to improve, develop, restore, or maintain a child’s active participation in self-maintenance, work, leisure, and play.
• Maintain a caseload of a minimum of 45 30-minute sessions per week and cover other counselor sessions as needed.
• Ensure make-up sessions are completed within the month and maintain utilization of students’ mandates per IEP or CSE recommendations at or above 85% weekly.
• Maintain high standards of confidentiality, attendance, and flexibility while working cooperatively with supervisors and colleagues.
• Maintain records and documentation; recommend modifications to treatment approaches as needed.
• Communicate and interact with team members, school personnel, and families.
• Maintain treatment areas, equipment, and supply inventory.
• Develop and maintain a daily schedule, including students/classrooms and other duties.
• Perform other responsibilities as assigned by the Program Director.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited occupational therapy program recognized by NBCOT, with completion of all fieldwork requirements.
• State OTR/L licensure in the state of hire.
• One year of experience as an occupational therapist, preferably in a school system or pediatric practice setting.
• Sensory knowledge and experience working with children with disabilities (preferred).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Working Conditions

• Location: West Hempstead, NY
• Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM (with one weekly team meeting until 4:00 PM)
• Environment: School/classroom setting

Physical Requirements

• Ability to keep students safe, including implementing CPI (therapeutic holds) procedures when necessary.
• Ability to remove oneself from potentially harmful situations and lift children (50–65 pounds).
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, and move throughout the workday.
• Ability to assist and physically support students of varying sizes.
• Ability to physically intervene to ensure safety (per CPI training).
• Ability to remove oneself or others from unsafe situations quickly.
• Ability to maintain attention and focus in a dynamic, high-stimulation environment.
• Ability to multi-task, shift priorities quickly, and exercise sound judgment in high-pressure or safety-sensitive situations.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team and maintain professional relationships.
• Ability to perform duties under stress, including during behavioral escalations.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health care plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement plan (401k with matching)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Training & Development opportunities

Pay

$90,000 – $105,000 USD per year (West Hempstead).