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Occupational Therapist Job

The Watson Institute is hiring a full-time Occupational Therapist to support students in the WISCA Autism School at all locations (Sewickley, Sharpsburg, South Fayette) as well as at Friendship Academy. This position will work Monday through Friday and follow the school calendar.

Job Benefits

At the Watson Institute, we invest in our employees personally and professionally. Check out a few of the employee benefits you’ll receive as a Watson employee:

  • Excellent medical, dental, and vision insurances as well as life and long-term disability and access to voluntary benefits. 
  • 403b Retirement Plan with Watson matching employee contributions after 1 year of employment. 
  • Access to Tuition Reimbursement to pursue further education and advanced degrees.
  • Qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and flexible spending accounts.

Learn more about what it’s like to work at the Watson Institute!

Employment Type: Full-time

Occupational Therapist Job Description: 

  • Plan/conduct assessments of students; interpret data; develop IEPs; plan and adapt treatment
  • Establish rules of conduct; motivate students; manage treatment and follow through on classroom management plans and positive behavior support plans
  • Establish purpose; present information; monitor and adjust treatment as needed; maintain appropriate pace
  • Ability to relate to students and parents; use effective interpersonal skills; participate effectively as a transdisciplinary team member; work cooperatively with others; communicate effectively with team members (staff, district and parents)
  • Engage in professional development activities
  • Strong focus on adaptations, scaffolding and providing facilitation to enhance learning of oral motor and fine motor skills, visual perceptual, activities of daily living skills, assistive technology, and motor planning skills
  • Knowledge of evaluation assessments and interventions of Sensory Processing Skills, as well as movement and handling techniques
  • Documentation skills for IEPs, RRs, Letters of Medical Necessity, as well as treatment session and communication with parents and outside agencies
  • Travel between WISCA sites and Friendship Academy as needed
  • Other duties as assigned

OT Job Requirements: 

  • Masters Degree in Occupational Therapy
  • Current PA Occupational Therapist License
  • Experience in a school setting preferred
  • Supervise students during emergency drills, classroom activities; the ability to keep up with running children and/or to lift, position, or assist with lifting students is essential to perform this task
  • The essential functions of the job described herein require the ability to exert moderate physical effort in light work, typically involving some combination of bending, stooping, squatting, reaching, kneeling, crouching, and brisk walking; and which may involve lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and material of moderate weight (40 pounds)
  • Ability to physically restrain students for their safety and the safety of others
  • Current Act 34, 114, and 151 clearances required