Occupational Therapist (OT)

Job Description
Location: Merrillville, IN
Shift: 1st

Job Summary:
As an Occupational Therapist specializing in pediatric care, you will work to improve fine motor skills, sensory processing, and daily living activities, enabling children with autism to reach their full potential. You will develop personalized intervention plans in collaboration with families, educators, and multidisciplinary teams to foster growth in functional skills, social engagement, and overall quality of life.

Key Responsibilities:

Assessment and Evaluation:

• Conduct comprehensive assessments to identify motor, sensory, and functional challenges in children with autism.
• Use standardized tools, clinical observations, and parent/teacher consultations to inform intervention planning.

Intervention and Therapy:

• Develop and implement individualized therapy plans targeting sensory integration, fine motor skills, self-care activities, and social participation.
• Utilize evidence-based practices and creative, engaging activities to motivate and support skill development.

Family and Caregiver Support:

• Collaborate with families to educate and equip them with strategies to support their child's growth at home and in community settings.
• Provide regular progress updates and adjust plans based on feedback and evolving needs.

Collaboration and Consultation:

• Work closely with teachers, speech-language pathologists, behavioral therapists, and other professionals to create a cohesive care plan.
• Attend IEP (Individualized Education Plan) meetings and provide expert recommendations to educational teams.

Documentation and Compliance:

• Maintain accurate, detailed, and timely documentation of assessments, therapy sessions, progress reports, and communications.
• Ensure all practices comply with ethical, legal, and organizational standards.

Advocacy and Training:

• Advocate for children and families to access appropriate resources and services.
• Provide workshops or training sessions for educators and caregivers on strategies to support children with autism in various environments.

Requirements:

Licensure:

• Must hold an active and unrestricted Occupational Therapist license in the state of Indiana.

Education:

• Master's or Doctoral degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited institution.

Certification:

• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification preferred.
• Certification in Sensory Integration Therapy or other related specialties is highly valued.

Experience:

• Minimum of 1-2 years of pediatric OT experience preferred; experience with autism-specific interventions is highly desirable.

Skills:

• Expertise in sensory integration and motor skill development.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills for working with children and families.
• Proficiency in creating and implementing individualized therapy plans.
• Ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to engage in physical activities during therapy sessions, including lifting or supporting children as needed.
• Able to be flexible in commuting to La Porte and Lake Porter Counties as needed.

Non-Discrimination Statement:

AVD Workforce Connect is an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs.