Occupational Therapist Assistant

Occupational Therapy Assistant

Provides occupational therapy support services for center-based clients by implementing treatment plans under the supervision of a licensed Occupational Therapist (OTR/L). Supports client participation and independence in activities of daily living (ADLs), instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), fine motor skills, gross motor skills, visual motor integration, sensory processing and regulation, social participation, play, and functional mobility. Uses therapeutic strategies such as verbal and visual cues, modeling, task breakdown, and guided practice to support skill development, participation, and independence in meaningful daily activities. Assists supervising OT with data collection, assessments, screenings, material preparation, and staff training to support effective therapy programming and client outcomes.

Location: Firefly Autism Center

2001 Hoyt St, Lakewood CO 80215

Schedule: Part-Time; 2-3 days a week

Supervisor's Title: Reports to the Occupational Therapist. Supervised by the Occupational Therapist, the Director of Center-Based Services, and the Director of Clinical Operations.

Essential Qualifications:

• Associate's degree from an accredited occupational therapy assistant program
• Licensed in good standing as an Occupational Therapy Assistant in Colorado
• Knowledge of occupational therapy principles, interventions, and evidence-based practices related to ADLs, sensory processing, motor development, self-regulation, and functional participation
• Understanding of child development, neurodevelopmental differences, and sensory integration concepts
• Ability to implement individualized treatment plans and collect objective therapy data
• Ability to collaborate effectively with families, educators, and related service providers to support functional outcomes
• Strong organizational, time management, and documentation skills
• Ability to maintain client confidentiality and professional ethical standards in accordance with state licensure requirements
• Experience facilitating client engagement through play-based and functional therapeutic activities
• Experience working with a multidisciplinary team
• Demonstrates excellent oral and written communication skills
• Experience across a variety of age ranges and abilities

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience supporting individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities
• Experience implementing sensory-based and neurodiversity-affirming interventions
• Familiarity with AAC devices and visual communication supports
• Knowledge of IEP processes, school documentation, and collaborative educational planning
• Experience providing caregiver and staff education or training
• Familiarity with assistive technology and adaptive equipment
• Experience in center-based, clinic-based, or interdisciplinary treatment settings

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The occupational therapy assistant provides services under the direction of a licensed occupational therapist. This treatment is provided through:

• Direct implementation of services to clients aged 3 to 21 years of age in a classroom program
• Regular meetings with supervising occupational therapist and other support staff
• Recording and reviewing data on occupational therapy programs
• Review of IEP current levels related to OT goals for all clients
• Periodic observations of individual students
• Skill probes with individual students
• Administration of assessments as needed for programming and Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) development, and documentation of those assessment results under the supervision of the Occupational Therapist

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• Participation in all relevant meetings regarding students' occupational therapy and/or behavior programming
• Collaboration with staff on individual clients as needed
• Completes annual requirements for licensure/certification including continuing education
• Consultation on development of occupational therapy programming
• Provides initial and ongoing trainings for all staff in the areas of occupational therapy (including client-specific programming) and other trainings as assigned by supervisor or as deemed necessary by evaluation of educational instructors' skill levels
• Holds confidential all knowledge of students and their families
• Conforms to dress code commensurate with the appropriate program requirements
• Physical ability to perform duties of the position, and other duties as assigned
• Effective implementation of crisis and physical intervention procedures
• Other essential duties and responsibilities as assigned

Physical Requirements:

• Able to sit and stand frequently and shift positions quickly
• Able to do the following for extended periods of time:
  • Sit/kneel on floor
  • Sit in a chair
  • Stand
  • Walk
• Able to physically manage teenagers/young adults, including providing physical guidance, physical prompts, bending
• Able to move quickly and keep up with running teenagers/young adults

As employees move through training and expand their skill sets, job requirements and compensation increase may take place with experience and performance objective criteria.

More about us:

Firefly Autism began its non-profit mission in 2003 to celebrate the lives of children on the autism spectrum. Our values are our people, backed by our philosophy. With collaboration from families and other providers, we deliver services through individualized behavioral plans and instructional goals that meet the client's interests, values, and support needs. At Firefly Autism, we believe in using the principles of assent-based and values-based practices to ensure a person-centered approach to Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy.

Firefly Autism proudly invests in the career of smart, diverse, result driven, and compassionate BCBA's. We value our employees' learning and development by providing exceptional free training in the following areas: Professional crisis management (PCM), CEU Library, continuing education & growth opportunities, including partnerships with Capella University and Purdue Global University for discounted tuition rates in multiple disciplines, internal opportunities, and mentorship built-in!

At Firefly Autism our work matters, and so does each one of our valued team members. Thus, we are committed to recruiting and supporting a diverse group of employees at all levels of support and operation. We strive to promote a culture of inclusiveness, respect, equality, communication, understanding, and acceptance. We encourage applications from a wide range of backgrounds, including women, ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, neuro-distinct individuals, persons within the LGBTQ+ community.

We recognize that diversity inspires innovation. Thus, we welcome and celebrate team members regardless of their race, ethnicity, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, and unique abilities to contribute to our mission and core values. Our unique experiences, perspectives and backgrounds allow us to better serve our clients.