Occupational Therapist

Description

Balance Autism is looking for an Occupational Therapist to join our Team! This role will work with children to develop, improve, or regain the skills needed for daily living and participation in school, play, and home environments. They assess and treat challenges related to fine motor skills, sensory processing, self-care (e.g., dressing, feeding), and coordination. This role will be based in a clinic setting, collaborating with families, educators, and healthcare professional to support children presenting with a variety of needs including developmental delays, autism, cerebral palsy, or other conditions. This position will support our Quad Cities and Burlington Clinics.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Conduct comprehensive assessments to evaluate children's fine motor skills, sensory processing, self-care abilities, and overall functional performance ranging from infancy to adolescence.

• Develop and implement individualized treatment plans based on assessment findings, tailored each child's unique needs, aimed to improve independence in daily activities

• Regular travel is expected as the following; 3 days will be spent at the Quad Cities clinic and 1-2 days will be spent supporting our Burlington clinic. Mileage will be reimbursed when traveling to our Burlington clinic.

• Provide therapy to address developmental delays, sensory integration challenges, motor coordination difficulties, and conditions including, but not limited to, autism, cerebral palsy, or Down syndrome.

• Collaborate with parents, teachers, and other professionals to support children's progress in educational, home, and community settings.

• Maintain accurate and timely documentation, including progress notes, treatment plans, and reports, in compliance with Iowa state regulations and federal guidelines (e.g., IDEA for school-based roles).

• Educate families and caregivers on adaptive techniques, equipment, and strategies to enhance children's participation in daily life.

• Participate in Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings for school-based positions, contributing expertise to support students' academic and functional success.

• Stay current with best practices, research, and continuing education requirements as mandated by the Iowa Board of Physical and Occupational Therapy.

• Other duties as assigned.

SKILLS/ABILITIES

Language Skills - Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write detailed reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before children, parents, educators, and colleagues.

Mathematical Skills - Ability to add and subtract two-digit numbers and to multiply and divide with 10's and 100's. Ability to perform these operations using units of American money and weight measurement, volume, and distance (e.g., for equipment specifications or scheduling).

Computer Skills - To perform this job successfully, an individual should be able to use trained knowledge of technology programs, including Electronic Medical Record Systems, scheduling software, and educational platforms used in therapy settings.

Reasoning Ability - Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. Demonstrates reasonable decision-making even when addressing emotional or developmental challenges with children and families.

Job Knowledge - Requires minimal supervision; displays understanding of how job functions integrate with other team members, such as speech therapists, BCBAs, physical therapists, and educators.

Teamwork - Contributes to building a positive team spirit by collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to support pediatric clients.

Diversity - Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; promotes a harassment-free and neurodiversity affirming environment for children, families, and coworkers

BENEFITS:

• $10,000 Sign on Bonus
• Student loan repayment program with up to 8% contribution match
• 403 (b) retirement plan with up to 8% employer match
• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• Generous PTO plans
• Flexible Scheduling, we offer four, 10-hour work days or five, 8-hour work days, Monday - Friday with flexible start times.

Requirements

Education: Master's or Doctoral degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited program.

Licensure: Current Iowa Occupational Therapist License issued by the Iowa Board of Physical and Occupational Therapy (or eligibility to obtain licensure).

Certification: National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification required; must maintain active status.

Experience: Prior experience working with children preferred, including familiarity with pediatric conditions such as sensory processing disorder, autism, or developmental delays.

Other Requirements:

Prior experience working with children preferred, including familiarity with developmental disorders such as autism, Down syndrome, or cerebral palsy.

Pass a background check as required by Iowa law for professionals working with children.

Valid driver's license and reliable transportation (if travel between sites is required).

Completion of 30 hours of continuing education every two years to maintain licensure, per Iowa Board of Physical and Occupational Therapy standards.

Physical Work Requirements

Ability to sit, stand, kneel, or lift while working with young children and therapy equipment (up to 50 lbs occasionally, e.g., for adaptive devices or assisting children).

Work environment may include school classrooms, outpatient clinics, or private practice settings.

Schedule: Monday through Friday. Availability during after-school hours is preferred, depending on caseload demands.