Occupational Therapist and/or Certified OT Assistant

Job Description

Position: Occupational Therapist and/or Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

Reports to: Julie Demes, MS, CCC-SLP - Director of Therapy Services and Amy Shoukas, OTR - Occupational Therapist

Overview

The Rise School of Denver is looking for an experienced, energetic, and collaborative occupational therapist and/or occupational therapist assistant to join our team beginning August 5, 2024. 

The Rise School of Denver provides high quality, inclusive early childhood care, education, and therapy for all children, including children with developmental disabilities. We do this by providing exemplary school- and clinic-based services using recommended practices for children with developmental delays and disabilities and their families.

OT’s and/or COTA’s will be a part classroom team that includes a lead teacher, assistant teacher, and members of the therapy team, with three adults present in the room and no more than 12 students present each day. Rise’s OT and/or COTA will join our transdisciplinary team of early childhood specialists that includes speech language pathologist, physical, behavioral, and music therapists, and special educators. 

OT will work closely with both our school and clinic teams and be directed and supervised by our Director of Therapy Services in both settings. Clinic services are offered in a multi-sensory gym space. 

COTA will work closely with both our school and after school team and be directed and supervised by our Director of Therapy Services in both settings. 

Duties and Responsibilities

• Aligns with the Rise School philosophy that all children have the ability to learn when given appropriate encouragement and with evidence-based support(s). 

• Is knowledgeable of the Developmentally Appropriate Practices for students in order to provide differential instruction based on individual children’s needs, and integrate individual intervention plans into lesson plans and daily classroom routines. 

• Provide family-centered, relationship-based occupational therapy services in classroom settings.

• Supports lead teachers with ongoing screening and curriculum based assessment of all children in the classroom. Teams with therapists to administer standardized assessments as needed.

• Supports lead teacher in utilizing best practices for implementing Universal Design for Learning, multi-tiered systems of support, and a linked system framework (i.e., screening, assessment, goal development, intervention, progress monitoring) for supporting all young children in the classroom with the level of support they need to successfully and meaningfully engage.

• Participates in regular collaborative meetings with Rise School therapists. Maintains constructive working relationships with therapists and takes initiative to implement techniques and strategies as recommended; requesting more support and coaching if needed.

• Implements family-centered partnership strategies and practices, while creating and maintaining professional relationships to assist with family engagement in the Rise School program.

• Participates in strengths-based, Family–Teacher Conferences twice a year, at which time individualized goals for children with disabilities are reviewed and/or developed.

• Supports lead teachers with afternoon classroom support. 

• Creates equitable learning opportunities for all young children in the classroom by affirming the race, class, culture, gender, sexual orientation, ability and disability, language, national origin, indigenous heritage, religion, and other identities of all young children and families and by using practices that are developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate for the learning environment and for each child and family.

• COTA: Actively participates in the After School Program, at least two days/week, and helps in preparation of activities as needed. 

• Actively engages with children in the outdoor learning environment.

• Maintains professional, open and direct communication with administration and leadership team. 

• Maintains professional interactions and open communication with families, caregivers, therapists, outside providers, volunteers, and other critical members of the Rise School community. 

• Ensures the confidentiality of all children and families within and away from the school.

• Helps to maintain a safe, appropriate environment for all children and staff. This includes ensuring that all Colorado Shines and Child Care Licensing guidelines for safety and cleanliness are adhered to.

• Maintains current CPR, First Aid, Universal Precautions, and Medication Administration certifications. 

• Helps to ensure that all children’s daily care needs including diapering, feeding, medication administration, etc. are met. 

• Participates in all staff meetings and in-service activities. 

• Participates in prepping and co-leading Summer Camp (2 weeks during Rise’s scheduled summer break in July)

• Supports school wide fundraising and development activities. 

• Maintains a professional appearance including appropriate dress and grooming.

• Demonstrates teamwork and cooperation. Takes initiative.  Stays open and enthusiastic to change. 

• Participates in other duties as requested.

Minimum Position Qualifications

Knowledge

• Knowledge of young children’s fine and gross motor development and of occupational therapy equipment, materials, and procedures.

• Knowledge of fine and gross motor delays and disabilities and of evidence-based practices for promoting  motor development. 

Education and Experience

• OT:

  • Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy (or equivalent)

  • Board Certification from NBCOT

  • Professional license in the state of Colorado

  • 1 year of experience working with children ages 12 months - 7 years with developmental disabilities in a school setting as an occupational therapist.

• COTA:

  • Associates degree as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

  • Board Certification from NBCOT

  • Professional license in the state of Colorado

  • 1 year of experience working with children ages 12 months - 7 years with developmental disabilities in a school setting as a certified occupational therapist assistant 

Skills

• Physical Skills

  • Move around and remain upright for long periods of time 

  • Play with children at their level (e.g., on ground, at table, in/around sandbox)

  • Pick up and carry children (weighing 20 to 50 pounds) when needed

  • Crouching/leaning over to clean tables and toys and to change children’s diapers

  • Retrieve supplies

  • During nap/rest time, move child (e.g., lift, push/pull nap mat), pat children’s backs while they lie on floor on nap mat, and help them fall asleep

  • Respond to unsafe situations very quickly

  • If COVID requirements are reinstated, the ability to wear a face mask and, when necessary, other personal protective equipment for the entire day

• Other Necessary Skills

  • Open to receiving and responsive to coaching and feedback from Director of Therapy Services and other members of Rise’s transdisciplinary team

  • Passionate about young children and inclusion for young children with developmental delays and disabilities

  • Patient

  • Creative, playful, and fun

  • Outgoing, high-energy

  • Enjoy collaborating with a team

  • Thrive in high-stress, fast-paced environments

  • May be exposed to all types of weather conditions safe for children to play in

Compensation

$45,000-$65,000, depending on experience, degree, and certifications

Benefits: The Rise School of Denver provides a benefits package that includes, for example: Insured group health and dental plans, retirement, and a generous mix of vacation, sick and holiday paid days off.

To Apply

Please email cover letter and resume (with reference contact information) to Julie Demes at speech@risedenver.org and Megan Gallagher at director@risedenver.org.

The Rise School of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, and disability status. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind and do not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.