Memphis Metro - Occupational Therapist

Thrive Therapies; Memphis (TN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Thrive Therapies seeks a school-based occupational therapist to support K-12 students. You will evaluate and treat fine motor, sensory processing, self-care, and classroom participation to improve access to education. The role emphasizes collaboration with teachers, SLPs, PTs, and families, development of OT IEP goals, and use of evidence-based frameworks.

Must hold ACOTE-accredited OT degree and NBCOT. Experience with Ayres Sensory Integration and assistive technology is valued; you will

Qualifications

• Master's or bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy from an ACOTE-accredited program.
• NBCOT certification (OTR) in good standing.
• Active state OT license in good standing, or documented initiation of licensure transfer prior to start date.
• Knowledge of IDEA, IEP process, and the educational model of OT.

Responsibilities

• Deliver school-based occupational therapy services to K-12 students with disabilities.
• Focus on fine motor development, sensory processing, self-care, and classroom participation.
• Write evaluation reports and participate in eligibility determinations.
• Develop OT IEP goals targeting handwriting, fine motor, sensory regulation, and self-care.
• Provide direct and consultative services to teachers and paraprofessionals.
• Collaborate with SLPs, PTs, school psychologists, and other staff; coordinate with RTI/MTSS frameworks.

Education

Master's or bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy (ACOTE-accredited)

NBCOT certification (OTR) in good standing

Active state OT license in good standing or initiation of licensure transfer before start date

Knowledge of IDEA, IEP process, and educational OT model

Job description

WHAT YOU'LL DO

As a Thrive OT , you will deliver school-based occupational therapy services to students K-12 whose disabilities affect their ability to access education. Your work will focus on fine motor development, sensory processing, self-care, and classroom participation. You are a full member of the community.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

As a Thrive OT , you will deliver school-based occupational therapy services to students K-12 whose disabilities affect their ability to access education. Your work will focus on fine motor development, sensory processing, self-care, and classroom participation. You are a full member of the community.

EVALUATION & ELIGIBILITY

• Conduct comprehensive OT evaluations to determine educational need and IDEA eligibility, including assessment of fine motor skills, sensory processing, visual-motor integration, self-care, and classroom participation
• Administer and interpret standardized assessment tools (Beery VMI, SIPT, BOT-2, SPM, COPM, and others) as appropriate to the referral
• Write evaluation reports that are clinically rigorous, educationally relevant, and accessible to IEP team members and families
• Participate in eligibility determination meetings and translate OT findings for educational planning purposes
• Conduct re-evaluations (triennials) in accordance with IDEA timelines

IEP DEVELOPMENT & SERVICE DELIVERY

• Develop individualized OT IEP goals targeting skills that affect educational access - including handwriting, fine motor coordination, sensory regulation, and functional self-care
• Deliver direct individual and small-group therapy sessions using evidence-based OT frameworks (Ayres Sensory Integration, CO-OP, sensory diet programming, and others)
• Design and implement sensory diets, environmental modifications, and adaptive equipment recommendations to support classroom participation
• Provide consultative services to teachers and paraprofessionals on sensory accommodations and adaptive strategies
• Maintain accurate, timely service logs and progress notes - supported by Thrive's AI documentation tools

COLLABORATION & ADAPTIVE SUPPORTS

• Partner with SLPs, PTs, BCBAs, school psychologists, and special education teachers on integrated, student-centered IEP teams
• Evaluate for and recommend adaptive equipment, positioning tools, and assistive technology to support educational access
• Train teachers, paraprofessionals, and families on sensory strategies, handwriting supports, and ADL skill generalization
• Contribute to RTI/MTSS frameworks by providing universal sensory screening and Tier 1/Tier 2 motor skill consultation
• Coordinate with physical therapists on overlapping mobility, positioning, and motor goals

QUALIFICATIONS

REQUIRED

• Master's or bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy from an ACOTE-accredited program
• NBCOT certification (OTR) in good standing
• Active state OT license in good standing, or documented initiation of licensure transfer prior to start date
• Knowledge of IDEA, IEP process, and the educational model of OT

PREFERRED

• 1+ years of school-based OT experience
• Training or certification in Ayres Sensory Integration (ASI) or related sensory processing frameworks
• Experience with AAC and assistive technology evaluation and implementation
• Familiarity with RTI/MTSS and universal design for learning (UDL) frameworks
• Experience serving students with autism, intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, or developmental coordination disorder