Occupational Therapy Assistant

Why Thrive Therapies

OTAs are essential partners in delivering school-based occupational therapy, yet many work with unclear supervision structures or without the mentorship they need to grow. Thrive places OTAs in schools with dedicated OTR supervisors, documented supervision ratios, and structured professional development pathways.

You'll implement meaningful therapy under close OT supervision, contribute to real student outcomes, and have a clinical team that sees your growth and advancement as a priority.

Position Summary

As an Occupational Therapy Assistant, you work under the supervision of a licensed Occupational Therapist to implement school-based OT services for students K–12. You deliver structured therapy sessions, collect progress data, and support students in achieving IEP goals related to fine motor skills, sensory processing, self-care, and classroom participation.

Key Responsibilities

• Implement OT-designed treatment plans for students with fine motor, sensory processing, self-care, and handwriting goals
• Deliver one-on-one and small-group therapy sessions using evidence-based techniques established by the supervising OT
• Collect and document precise session data; communicate student progress and observations to the supervising OT at regular supervision meetings
• Support sensory accommodation strategies, movement breaks, and classroom modifications per OT direction
• Assist with adaptive equipment setup, AAC implementation, and accessibility accommodations
• Collaborate with classroom teachers and special education staff to generalize OT strategies into daily school routines
• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to AOTA ethical guidelines and NBCOT standards for COTAs

Required Qualifications

• Associate's degree in Occupational Therapy Assistance from an ACOTE-accredited program
• NBCOT Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) credential
• Current state OTA license or registration (varies by state)
• Clear background check and immunization clearance per school district requirements

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior school-based OTA experience (1+ years)
• Certification or training in sensory integration (Ayres SI preferred)
• Experience with adaptive equipment, assistive technology, and accessibility assessment
• Bilingual capability (Spanish, Mandarin, Vietnamese)

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation is paid over 10 months, aligned to the school-year calendar. All figures below reflect the Dallas / Fort Worth, TX market.

Base Compensation

W-2 Base Salary - $52,000 – $64,600, based on experience - A salary that reflects the expertise you bring. W-2 employment means full benefits, paid time off, retirement match, disability coverage, and malpractice insurance — all on us. Your total compensation is built to reflect what this work is worth.

1099 Contractor Rate - $39-$47/hr/hr - If flexibility is what fits your life, we built that in. Our 1099 option puts you in control of how you work — with a competitive hourly rate, full professional supports, and your career mobility fully intact.

Additional Earning Potential!

Sign-On Bonus - $1,000 — paid 25% at 30 days, 25% at 90 days, 50% at 6 months - Our sign-on bonus is a signal: we're committed to you from the moment you say yes, and we want you to feel that.

Longevity Structure - Up to $2,000 — paid after completing your first full school year - We're building Thrive around the people who commit to this work and to each other over the long haul — because that's who our kids and schools depend on. Every year you come back, we reward it. And it grows with you.

CEU Stipend - $750 your first year → growing up to $2,000 after five years - Your practice is the whole thing. The more you grow as a clinician, the better the care our kids get. We put real dollars behind your continuing education, and it grows with your tenure. Investing in your expertise is investing in our mission.

Performance Bonus - Paid annually after exceeding performance metrics - When you go above and beyond for students, we notice. Our performance bonus is how we say we see you, we value what you're doing, and this work matters.

Benefits Offerings

Health Coverage — at no cost to you (W-2 Employees Only)

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance — Thrive covers 100% of employee premiums
• Coverage begins day one
• Choice of HSA-eligible high-deductible plan or traditional PPO; nationwide PPO network
• Dependent and family coverage available
• 401(k) with up to 5% company match
• Optional voluntary benefits: supplemental life, accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and FSA

Time Off & Schedule (W-2 Employees Only)

• School-year calendar — school holidays off, amounting to 30+ paid days annually
• PTO and Sick days

Additional Professional Supports (All Employees)

• Malpractice and professional liability insurance — fully covered by Thrive; no personal policy required
• Quarterly professional development led by clinical leadership — school-based, substantive, and paid
• Paid Summer Intensive — pre-year clinical PD that brings the full Thrive team together annually
• No non-compete agreement — your professional mobility is yours to keep
• State OTA licensure renewal and NBCOT dues reimbursed annually

Apply Today

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We respond to every application within 24 hours. Thrive Therapies Group is an equal opportunity employer.