Occupational Therapist, OT (Daycare)

Job Description

Job Description

Occupational Therapist (OT) - Early Childhood & Pediatric Therapy - Birmingham, AL

We are seeking a compassionate and skilled Occupational Therapist (OT) to join our early childhood intervention team in Birmingham, Alabama. In this rewarding pediatric occupational therapy role, you will provide individualized OT services to infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with developmental delays, sensory processing disorders, fine and gross motor delays, and physical disabilities. Working in collaboration with early childhood educators, families, and multidisciplinary therapy teams, you will help young children develop essential motor skills, sensory regulation, and self-care abilities needed to thrive in daycare and early learning environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct Pediatric Occupational Therapy Evaluations: Perform comprehensive, play-based developmental assessments evaluating sensory processing, fine motor skills, gross motor skills, visual-motor integration, and activities of daily living (ADLs) to establish baseline function and early intervention goals.
• Develop Individualized Treatment Plans: Design evidence-based, child-centered OT care plans targeting classroom participation, fine motor development (grasping, feeding, handwriting readiness), sensory integration, and age-appropriate independence skills.
• Provide Direct Occupational Therapy Interventions: Deliver engaging, play-based therapy sessions focusing on hand strengthening, bilateral coordination, visual perceptual skills, motor planning, and handwriting foundations.
• Implement Sensory Integration Strategies: Provide specialized sensory regulation techniques, sensory diets, and processing strategies to support emotional regulation, attention, and smooth transitions during daily routines.
• Address Self-Care and Adaptive Skills: Guide children through feeding therapy, dressing skills, toileting routines, and adaptive equipment training to promote early childhood independence.
• Family and Caregiver Education: Collaborate with daycare teachers, childcare providers, and parents to implement environmental modifications, sensory calming strategies, and home exercise programs that support therapy goals.
• Maintain Clinical Documentation: Complete thorough and timely documentation including initial evaluations, progress notes, treatment plans, IFSP/IEP reports, and discharge summaries in compliance with state and federal regulations.
• Multidisciplinary Collaboration: Work closely with speech-language pathologists (SLPs), physical therapists (PTs), certified occupational therapy assistants (COTAs), educators, and families to ensure coordinated, family-centered early intervention services.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Education: Master's degree (MS, MOT) or Doctorate (OTD) in Occupational Therapy from an ACOTE-accredited occupational therapy program.
• Licensure: Current Alabama Occupational Therapist license or eligibility for Alabama OT licensure.
• Certification: Active NBCOT (National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy) certification required.
• CPR/BLS Certification: Current CPR and Basic Life Support certification.
• Pediatric Experience Preferred: Prior experience in pediatric occupational therapy, early intervention (EI), early childhood special education, or daycare/preschool settings strongly preferred.
• Sensory Integration Training: Background in sensory integration therapy, sensory processing disorder treatment, or related certifications (SI, DIR/Floortime, SOS Approach) is a plus.
• Clinical Skills: Strong organizational abilities, excellent time management, and proficiency in clinical documentation and progress reporting.
• Interpersonal Skills: Warm, patient, and playful demeanor with excellent communication and collaboration skills when working with young children, families, and educational teams.

About Birmingham, Alabama

Birmingham, Alabama's largest metropolitan area, offers an affordable cost of living, vibrant cultural scene, and growing healthcare and education sectors. Known as "The Magic City," Birmingham features diverse neighborhoods, excellent dining, outdoor recreation opportunities including nearby state parks and hiking trails, professional sports, and a strong sense of community. The city provides an ideal setting for pediatric therapy professionals seeking both career growth and quality of life in the heart of the South.

Why This Is a Great Opportunity

• Make a Meaningful Impact: Play a vital role in early childhood development by helping infants, toddlers, and preschoolers build foundational skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.
• Collaborative Team Environment: Work alongside dedicated early childhood educators, therapists, and specialists who share your commitment to family-centered care.
• Professional Growth: Expand your pediatric OT expertise in early intervention, sensory integration, feeding therapy, and developmental disabilities within a supportive learning environment.
• Competitive Compensation: Earn $35-$40 per hour (USD) based on experience and qualifications.
• Rewarding Work: Experience the joy of celebrating developmental milestones and empowering families with the tools and strategies to support their children's success.
• Growing Community: Join a thriving early learning community in Birmingham committed to providing high-quality early intervention services.

Apply Today

If you are a licensed Occupational Therapist passionate about pediatric therapy, early childhood development, and making a lasting difference in the lives of young children and their families, we encourage you to apply today. Join our team in Birmingham, AL, and help build brighter futures through compassionate, play-based occupational therapy!