Occupational Therapist Birth to Three

Occupational Therapist

Salary is commensurate on experience

We are seeking a passionate and skilled Occupational Therapist to provide high-quality, family-centered services for children ages birth to three in home and community settings. In this role, you will support each child's physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development through individualized, culturally responsive therapy plans.

The ideal candidate collaborates closely with families, caregivers, and interdisciplinary teams to ensure services align with Birth-to-Three, Medicaid, medical, and Department of Public Instruction (DPI) guidelines. Bilingual candidates are strongly preferred, as they help us better serve the diverse families in our community.

This full-time position also offers opportunities to expand into our outpatient pediatric therapy department as departmental needs evolve.

Essential Functions

• Participate in the development, review, and evaluation of the Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP), ensuring goals are functional, measurable, and aligned with PCATT principles.
• Review physician orders and insurance authorizations before initiating evaluations.
• Select appropriate assessment tools and complete evaluations for developmental, physical, and/or gross motor deficits.
• Perform initial evaluations and update plans of care within established timelines, including every 90 days or per insurance requirements.
• Clearly interpret and communicate evaluation results to families, physicians, and team members with cultural humility and respect.
• Implement individualized occupational therapy interventions, including fine and gross motor activities, sensory-motor integration, functional play-based strategies, self-care skill development, and environmental adaptations to support each child's daily participation and developmental goals.
• Serve as a primary provider when appropriate, incorporating interdisciplinary goals into treatment sessions.
• Consult with physicians and community professionals to support each child's overall development.
• Evaluate, recommend, and train families in the use of adaptive equipment and mobility aids.
• Provide caregiver education, training, and support with functional activities embedded into daily routines.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation, billing, case notes, and reports.
• Facilitate transitional/discharge planning and participate in related meetings.
• Model positive behavioral strategies that promote constructive engagement, problem-solving, and independence.
• Provide personal care to children as necessary.
• Actively participate in required meetings and collaborate effectively with all team members.
• Ensure audit compliance with director and manager of the therapy department.
• Represent St. Francis Children's Center and Milwaukee County positively and professionally.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
• Participate in the development and provision of outpatient pediatric occupational therapy services as the program expands.

Physical Demands

• Ability to walk, sit, stand, bend, twist, reach, kneel, crouch, and climb stairs. • Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. • Adequate near and far vision, hearing, and speech to perform essential functions.

Mental Requirements

• Flexibility to adapt to changing routines. • Ability to exercise sound judgment and decision-making under time-sensitive and high-stress conditions.

Environmental / Working Conditions

• Indoor work approximately 67% of the time. • Driving required approximately 33% of the time.

Equipment Used

• Computer, copy machine, fax machine, and telephone.

Required Education / License / Certifications

• Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctorate degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited program. • Current State of Wisconsin Occupational Therapy license. • Valid Wisconsin driver's license with acceptable driving record.

• Must have a valid Wisconsin driver's license and may not have more than three current minor driving violations and/or one current at-fault accident on your record. Auto insurance must include $100,000/$300,000 bodily injury and $100,000 property damage.

Required Knowledge and Skills

• Experience with Birth-to-Three programming strongly preferred.

Bilingual in Spanish preferred but not required. • Pediatric and/or early intervention experience a plus. • Excellent written and verbal communication skills. • Strong organizational skills with ability to prioritize multiple demands. • Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team. • Proficiency with Office 365 and ability to learn new software systems. • Commitment to confidentiality, ethics, and family-centered care. • Dedication to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in practice.

Behavior and Attitude

The mission and philosophy of St. Francis Children's Center requires this position to perform in a professional and personable manner. Staff are expected to treat fellow employees, clients, and families with dignity, respect, and cultural sensitivity. Technical skills are equally important as the ability to build supportive, trusting relationships. Strict confidentiality must be maintained at all times.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

St. Francis Children's Center is in compliance with the equal opportunity policy and standards of the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services and all applicable local, state and federal statutes and regulations relating to nondiscrimination in employment and service delivery. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, we will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. No otherwise qualified person shall be excluded from employment, be denied the benefits of employment or otherwise be subject to discrimination in employment in any manner on the basis of age, race, religion, color, sex, national origin or ancestry, disability or association with a person with a disability, arrest or conviction record, sexual orientation, marital status or pregnancy, political belief, or affiliation, military participation, or use or non-use of lawful products off the employers premises during working hours. All supervisors and managers are expected to support goals and programmatic activities relating to nondiscrimination in employment.