OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST*

Occupational Therapist

Job Type: Occupational Therapist

Location: Miami, FL, US

Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS), an A-rated district, is the nation's third largest school system with nearly 500 schools and a diverse enrollment of more than 335,500 students from over 160 countries. Our ongoing tradition of groundbreaking achievement has earned top recognition at the national and international levels and makes M-DCPS your best choice.

Basic Objectives

The school-centered Occupational Therapist is responsible for providing occupational therapy services to exceptional students. The therapist will treat individual student(s) or groups of students at one or more schools, carry out evaluations, write goals and objectives, and complete treatment plans on students. In addition the Occupational Therapist will provide supervision to certified Occupational Therapist Assistants, and will carry out duties set forth by the supervisor of the occupational and physical therapy program.

Job Tasks/Responsibilities

1. Conducts formal initial evaluation of the student following referral by a physician.

2. Coordinates the maintenance of the student's daily attendance, and ensures that all physicians' referrals and related medical data are current.

3. Observes professional and medical ethics.

4. Conforms to DCPS policies and procedures.

5. Maintains the therapy area and equipment daily including sanitizing and cleaning mats.

6. Coordinates and/or assists in the preparation of materials for student use.

7. Coordinates all treatment sessions for identified students.

8. Establishes realistic short-term and long-term treatment goals for the IEP, based on results of occupational therapy evaluations and considering all aspects of student's disability.

9. Plans and implements appropriate treatment programs designed to meet the student's needs, including specific procedures and activities to be used; determines through the use of the State of Florida P.T. and O.T. reporting system the extent, frequency, and expected duration of treatment; and provides yearly IEP re-evaluations of students in the occupational therapy program.

10. Develops plans, as needed, or makes appropriate recommendations for adaptive equipment, splints and/or modification of the classroom or school environment to accommodate the student.

11. Shares student-status information regularly with physical therapists so that they may work as a unified team in providing comprehensive care for the student.

12. Provides instruction in appropriate treatment procedures; handles techniques and supportive activities for students, teachers, teacher's aides and family members; supplies information by written descriptive instructions, when appropriate.

13. Provides families with information, encouragement, and support to help motivate them in their performance of treatment activities.

14. Prepares and keeps current all necessary record, including evaluations, progress notes, and records of communication.

15. Keeps personal occupational therapy knowledge and skills current through reading and active participation in educational programs.

16. Oversees the performance of assigned Certified Occupational Therapist Assistants, providing guidance, encouragement, and suggestions for student program implementation; ensures that records (evaluations, IEP's doctor's referrals) are current, treatment program is effective, and addresses any questions and/or concerns of the COTA regarding the student(s); and assumes responsibility for the co-signing of notes written by the COTA.

17. Provides information that would enhance treatment and serves as an adjunct to therapy.

18. Participates in DCPS inservice program.

19. Assists in orientation and training of personnel new to the department.

20. Confers periodically via telephone, written report, or personal appointment with the managing physician regarding student's status, progress, response to treatment and possible variations.

21. Performs related work as required or as assigned by supervising administrator or his/her designee.

Physical Requirements

This is very heavy work which requires the following physical activities: climbing, balancing, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, twisting, reaching, sitting, standing, walking, pushing wheelchairs, pulling, lifting and positioning students, finger dexterity, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing and visual acuity. The work is performed indoors and outdoors.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

1. Successful completion of both academic and clinical requirements for graduation from an approved curriculum in occupational therapy.

2. Current licensure as a Registered Occupational Therapist by the Florida State Department of Professional Regulation.

3. Experience in a pediatric setting is preferred.

4. A personal vehicle is required as travel to more than one work location per day may be necessary to provide occupational therapy service to students.

Application Requirements

To create your candidate profile, you will need to gather the following: Personal information Current resume and work history Certification information For certification information, please visit M-DCPS - Instructional Certification Official SEALED transcripts must be submitted to M-DCPS via one of the following: U.S. Mail addressed to: Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Transcript Desk, 1450 NE 2nd Avenue, Suite 150 Miami, FL 33132 Electronic Mail to: View email address on click.appcast.io You must use National Student Clearinghouse, Parchment, or eScrip-Safe to request an electronic transcript via email. Please note that not all colleges/universities participate in the electronic transcript exchange. Two professional references: Uploaded References must be on a letterhead OR on the District's Reference Form ( Printing T:\FORMS\3000\3506.FRP (dadeschools.net), have an original signature, and be dated within the last year from current or past supervisors or college professors. Background Screening for the Selected Candidate (External Candidate): Please click on the link below for information on M-DPCS Employment Standard, Drug Testing and Fingerprinting requirements in order to be hired as an employee. M-DPCS - Personnel Services and Fingerprinting Please see the link to the new Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse Education and Awareness website. This site was implemented under the directive of House Bill 531 (2025), effective 1-1-2026. Starting Teacher Salary: $53,159.00* *(includes 6% Referendum Retirement Accruing Supplement of $3,009) New hires may be eligible to receive credit for verified years of experience, which can enhance their starting salary. For more details, please refer to the Newly Hired/Teachers Salary Schedule - Click Here Please visit S alary Inquiry Request for more information. Click here We are an equal opportunity employer.