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Nicu Occupational Therapy Jobs (NOW HIRING)

BayCare Health System

Pediatric NICU Occupational Therapist

Tampa, FL · On-site

$63K - $86K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... therapy services to premature and medically complex infants in a 76 bed, Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. This role focuses on optimizing neurodevelopmental outcomes, supporting medical ...

BayCare Health System

Pediatric NICU Occupational Therapist

Tampa, FL · On-site

$66K - $89K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... therapy services to premature and medically complex infants in a 76 bed, Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. This role focuses on optimizing neurodevelopmental outcomes, supporting medical ...

Centstone HC

Occupational Therapist-NICU

Salinas, CA · On-site

$2.3K - $2.4K/wk

Minimum 3 Years of Occupational Therapy Experience with 1 Year of NICU Experience Required About the Role We are seeking an experienced Occupational Therapist (OT) for a 13-week contract opportunity ...

Centstone

Occupational Therapist-NICU

Salinas, CA · On-site

$43.25 - $57/hr

Minimum 3 Years of Occupational Therapy Experience with 1 Year of NICU Experience Required About the Role We are seeking an experienced Occupational Therapist (OT) for a 13-week contract opportunity ...

Medical City Dallas

Occupational Therapist - NICU

Allen, TX · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As a Neonatal ICU Occupational Therapist with Medical City Dallas you can be a part of an ... Leading by example--providing guidance to therapy assistants or students and upholding HCA Health ...

Exclusive Client

OT - NICU

Salinas, CA · On-site

$3.2K/wk

Details Client Name Exclusive Client Job Type Travel Offering Allied Profession Occupational Therapy Specialty Occupational Therapy Job ID 18880637 Job Title OT - NICU Weekly Pay $3275.76 Shift ...

UHS

Occupational Therapist- NICU- Part Time

Washington, DC · On-site

$39.96 - $59.94/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Master's or Doctorate degree in Occupational therapy * Experience in a NICU setting required * CNT preferred * Must have DC License before start of employment * Current certification in Basic Life ...

UHS

Occupational Therapist- NICU- Part Time

Washington, DC

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Master's or Doctorate degree in Occupational therapy * Experience in a NICU setting required * CNT preferred * Must have DC License before start of employment * Current certification in Basic Life ...

Medical City Dallas

Occupational Therapist - NICU

Irving, TX · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As a Neonatal ICU Occupational Therapist with Medical City Dallas you can be a part of an ... Leading by example--providing guidance to therapy assistants or students and upholding HCA Health ...

Medical City Dallas

Occupational Therapist - NICU

Wylie, TX · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As a Neonatal ICU Occupational Therapist with Medical City Dallas you can be a part of an ... Leading by example--providing guidance to therapy assistants or students and upholding HCA Health ...

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All JobsNicu Occupational Therapy Jobs

Nicu Occupational Therapy information

See salary details

$14

$62

$120

How much do nicu occupational therapy jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for nicu occupational therapy in the United States is $62.05, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $40.87 and $78.61 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is NICU occupational therapy?

NICU occupational therapy refers to specialized therapy provided to premature or medically fragile infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Occupational therapists in this setting focus on supporting the infant’s development, including sensory processing, motor skills, feeding, and bonding with caregivers. They work as part of a multidisciplinary team to help infants achieve optimal growth and development, address challenges related to prematurity, and guide families in caring for their babies both in the hospital and at home.

What are some common challenges NICU occupational therapists face when working with infants and their families?

NICU Occupational Therapists often encounter challenges such as working with medically fragile infants who have complex needs, adapting interventions to rapidly changing health statuses, and supporting families who may be experiencing significant stress or uncertainty. Building trust and communicating clearly with both families and the interdisciplinary NICU team is crucial. Therapists must balance providing developmental care with medical priorities, all while advocating for the infant’s long-term well-being.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a NICU occupational therapist?

To thrive as a NICU Occupational Therapist, you need a master's degree in occupational therapy, state licensure, and specialized knowledge of neonatal development and interventions. Familiarity with assessment tools for infants, feeding and sensory integration techniques, and documentation systems is essential. Exceptional communication, compassion, and teamwork skills help in collaborating with healthcare teams and supporting families. These competencies are vital for delivering effective, developmentally appropriate care to fragile infants in a high-stakes environment.

What is the difference between Nicu Occupational Therapy vs Neonatal Therapist?

AspectNicu Occupational TherapyNeonatal Therapist
CredentialsOccupational Therapy License, possibly neonatal specializationTherapist license, neonatal specialization often preferred
Work EnvironmentNICU units, hospitals, rehabilitation centersNICU settings, hospitals, neonatal care units
Employer & IndustryHospitals, rehab centers, pediatric clinicsHospitals, neonatal care facilities, specialized clinics

Both Nicu Occupational Therapists and Neonatal Therapists work in neonatal intensive care units, focusing on infant development. While their roles overlap, Nicu Occupational Therapists often have a broader scope within occupational therapy, whereas Neonatal Therapists may specialize more specifically in neonatal developmental therapies. Both require similar credentials and work in comparable environments, making them closely related roles in neonatal care.

More about Nicu Occupational Therapy jobs

What cities are hiring for Nicu Occupational Therapy jobs?

Cities with the most Nicu Occupational Therapy job openings:

What states have the most Nicu Occupational Therapy jobs?

States with the most job openings for Nicu Occupational Therapy jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Nicu Occupational Therapy jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Nicu Occupational Therapy jobs are:

Nicu Occupational Therapy jobs near you
Infographic showing various Nicu Occupational Therapy job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 5% As Needed, 59% Full Time, 19% Part Time, and 17% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $129,073 per year, or $62.1 per hour.

NICU Occupational Therapist

FutureSoft Consulting Inc

Salinas, CA

$43.25 - $57/hr

Contractor

Posted 3 days ago

New

Job description

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced Occupational Therapist (OT) with NICU experience for a 14-week travel assignment in Salinas, California.

This role is ideal for an Occupational Therapist with strong pediatric and neonatal clinical skills who is comfortable evaluating and treating medically complex infants in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Candidates must have at least 3 years of Occupational Therapy experience, including a minimum of 1 year of NICU experience. An active California Occupational Therapy license, Master's degree in Occupational Therapy, and current American Heart Association BLS are required.

Key Responsibilities

        Evaluate premature and medically complex infants in the NICU.

        Assess neonatal motor development, positioning, tone, sensory responses, and functional abilities.

        Develop individualized occupational therapy treatment plans based on infant needs and developmental goals.

        Provide developmentally appropriate therapeutic interventions.

        Support infant positioning, handling, movement, and neuromotor development.

        Assess and support sensory regulation and tolerance to environmental stimulation.

        Provide therapeutic positioning to promote development and prevent secondary complications.

        Monitor infant response to therapy and adjust treatment approaches as needed.

        Support developmental care practices within the NICU.

        Educate parents and caregivers regarding positioning, handling, developmental milestones, and home-care strategies.

        Collaborate with neonatologists, nurses, physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, respiratory therapists, and other members of the NICU team.

        Participate in interdisciplinary rounds and patient-care planning.

        Assist with discharge planning and caregiver education.

        Maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation.

        Follow infection-control, patient-safety, and neonatal-care standards.

Required Qualifications

Candidates must have:

        Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy

        Active California Occupational Therapy license

        Current BLS / Healthcare Provider certification through the American Heart Association

        Minimum 3 years of Occupational Therapy experience

        Minimum 1 year of recent NICU Occupational Therapy experience

        Strong neonatal assessment and treatment skills

        Ability to work effectively in a high-acuity neonatal environment

        Strong communication and interdisciplinary collaboration skills

Required NICU Experience

Candidates should be comfortable with:

        Premature infants

        Medically complex newborns

        Developmental positioning

        Neuromotor assessment

        Muscle tone assessment

        Sensory regulation

        Infant handling

        Developmental care

        Caregiver education

        Interdisciplinary NICU collaboration

Preferred Qualifications

Strong candidates may also have experience with:

        Level III or Level IV NICU environments

        Neonatal developmental therapy

        Feeding and oral-motor support within OT scope

        High-risk infant follow-up

        Pediatric rehabilitation

        Developmental assessments

        Early intervention

        Parent and caregiver training

        Previous travel therapy experience

Key Clinical Skills

Successful candidates should be comfortable with:

        Neonatal Occupational Therapy

        NICU developmental care

        Prematurity

        Developmental positioning

        Neuromotor development

        Sensory processing

        Tone management

        Infant handling

        Developmental assessment

        Parent education

        Discharge planning

        Interdisciplinary care

        Clinical documentation

Schedule Requirements

        Flexible schedule

        Five 8-hour shifts per week

        40 hours per week

        Typical shift start may be around 8:00 AM

        Approximately one weekend per month is required

        Exact schedule may vary based on NICU census and department needs

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is an experienced NICU Occupational Therapist who is comfortable working with premature and medically fragile infants and collaborating closely with neonatal care teams.

You should have strong developmental assessment skills, excellent clinical judgment, and the ability to provide family-centered care in a high-acuity environment.

This opportunity may be a strong fit for professionals currently working as a:

        NICU Occupational Therapist

        Neonatal Occupational Therapist

        Pediatric Occupational Therapist

        Acute Care Occupational Therapist

        Developmental Therapist

        Travel Occupational Therapist

Equal Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer and consider qualified applicants based on education, experience, licensure, certifications, clinical skills, and the requirements of the position.

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