For over 30 years, Gersh Autism has empowered students on the autism spectrum to reach their full potential. Serving individuals aged 5-21 across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, our network of K-12 schools provides personalized education tailored to each student’s unique learning style. We offer comprehensive therapeutic services—speech, physical, occupational therapy, and more—along with vocational training for older students. Our dedicated team collaborates with families to ensure academic, social, and emotional growth, preparing students for success beyond the classroom.
At Gersh Autism, we are committed to helping individuals on the autism spectrum lead fulfilling, independent lives.
The Gersh Organization is seeking an Occupational Therapist to provide occupational therapy support to children K-12. The Occupational Therapist will regularly collaborate with other disciplines and services at departmental and system levels. The Occupational Therapist is expected to independently review outcomes and modify intervention programs. Clinical reasoning and professional judgment are essential to ensuring the safety of students and protecting liability of the school system and the therapist. The ideal candidate will have experience with screening, evaluation, educational program and transition planning, therapeutic intervention, and exit planning for students with disabilities.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Collaborates with other disciplines to ensure team understanding of student occupational performance strengths and needs, through evaluation, educational program planning, and service delivery.
- Evaluates the student’s ability and formulates the student’s occupational profile through a variety of functional, behavioral, and standardized assessments, skilled observation, checklists, histories, and interviews.
- Synthesizes evaluation results into a comprehensive written report which reflects strengths and barriers to student participation in the educational environment; directs program development; and guides evidence-based intervention.
- Develops occupationally based intervention plans based on student needs and evaluation results.
- Participates in multidisciplinary meetings to review evaluation results, integrate findings with other disciplines, offer recommendations, and develop individual education plans and intervention plans to achieve IEP goals.
- Teaches, monitors, and collaborates with educational personnel, community agencies, parents, and students to increase understanding of the student’s occupational performance.
- Provides continuing education and in-services for educational personnel, parents, and community-based service providers
- Follow a treatment plan/IEP goals developed to improve, develop, restore, or maintain a child’s active participation in self-maintenance, work, leisure, and play in educational environments.
- Takes a caseload of a minimum of 45 30-minute sessions per week and covers other counselor sessions as needed.
- Ensures make up sessions are completed within the month and utilization of students’ mandates per the IEP, or recommendation given at a CSE meeting is at or above 85% each week.
- Maintain high standards of confidentiality, attendance, and flexibility, while working cooperatively with Supervisors and other employees.
- Maintains records and documentation.
- Recommends modification of treatment approaches to reflect the child’s changing needs.
- Communicates and interacts with other team members, school personnel, and families.
- Maintains treatment areas, equipment, and supply inventory.
- Develop and maintain a daily schedule, which includes students/classrooms and other activities/duties.
- Other responsibilities related to the position as shall be assigned by the Program Director.
- Please note all the above are the responsibilities of the role, however the role is not limited to only the above
Requirements
- Must have successfully completed and graduated from an accredited occupational therapy professional program recognized by NBCOT and have completed all fieldwork requirements.
- Must possess State OTR/L Licensure in the state in which you were hired.
- One year of experience as an occupational therapist, preferably in school system or other pediatric practice setting.
- Must have sensory knowledge.
- Experience working with children with disabilities is a plus.
- Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Working Conditions
- Location: West Hempstead, NY
- Monday – Friday / 8:00AM-3:30PM (and once a week until 4PM for a team meeting)
- School/Classroom Setting
Physical Requirements
- Must be able to keep students safe from themselves and others and, in some cases, may need to implement CPI (therapeutic holds) procedures.
- Must be able to remove oneself from potentially harmful situations and, in some cases, be able to lift a child.
- Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, and move throughout the workday
- Ability to lift (at least 50-65 pounds), assist, and/or physically support students, which may include lifting or guiding students of varying sizes
- Ability to physically intervene when required to ensure safety (per CPI training)
- Ability to remove oneself and/or others from unsafe situations quickly
- Ability to maintain attention and focus in a dynamic, high-stimulation environment
- Ability to multi-task and shift priorities quickly
- Ability to exercise sound judgment and decision-making, particularly 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
Gersh Autism offers a competitive compensation package, including comprehensive health and retirement benefits, professional development opportunities, and a supportive work environment committed to your personal and professional growth.
- Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
- Retirement Plan (401k matching)
- Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
- Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)
- Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
- Training & Development