Occupational Therapist (OT)
New Leader Academy
Full-Time | Competitive Salary + Excellent Benefits
New Leader Academy is seeking a compassionate and skilled Occupational Therapist to join our dedicated team. We are a specialized therapeutic day school serving students with disabilities, including autism spectrum disorders, developmental delays, emotional and behavioral challenges, intellectual disabilities, and other complex needs.
About the Role
As an Occupational Therapist at New Leader Academy, you will play a critical role in helping our students build the functional, sensory, and motor skills they need to succeed in school and beyond. You will work collaboratively within a supportive, multidisciplinary team to implement individualized education programs (IEPs) in a nurturing, structured environment.
Key Responsibilities:
- Conduct thorough occupational therapy evaluations and develop individualized OT goals and treatment plans
- Deliver direct occupational therapy services to students in both individual and small-group formats
- Address sensory processing difficulties, fine and gross motor development, visual-motor integration, self-regulation, executive functioning, and activities of daily living
- Collaborate closely with classroom teachers, speech-language pathologists, behavior specialists, and families to embed OT strategies throughout the school day
- Participate actively in IEP meetings, progress reporting, and multidisciplinary team consultations
- Maintain accurate documentation in compliance with IDEA and state regulations
- Support students in improving handwriting, self-care skills, classroom participation, and overall independence
Qualifications:
- Master’s degree (or higher) in Occupational Therapy from an accredited program
- Current IL state Occupational Therapy license (or eligibility to obtain one)
- NBCOT certification preferred
- Experience working with children and adolescents with disabilities, ideally in a school or therapeutic setting
- Strong knowledge of sensory integration techniques and evidence-based occupational therapy interventions
- Excellent interpersonal, communication, and team collaboration skills
- Passion for making a meaningful impact on students with complex learning and behavioral needs
- Commitment to a trauma-informed, student-centered approach
What We Offer:
- Competitive salary commensurate with experience
- Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, and retirement options
- Professional development and continuing education reimbursement
- Collaborative and supportive work environment with smaller caseloads
- School-year calendar to include ESY
- Opportunity to be part of a mission-driven team focused on helping every student become a “New Leader”
Schedule: Full-time
If you are a dedicated Occupational Therapist who is passionate about working with students with disabilities and thrives in a team-oriented, therapeutic school setting, we invite you to apply!
