Occupational Therapist

New Leader Academy; Streamwood (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

Competitive salary

Dental insurance

Health insurance

Paid time off

Tuition assistance

Vision insurance

Job summary

New Leader Academy is seeking a compassionate Occupational Therapist to support students with disabilities in a therapeutic day school setting. You will develop OT goals, implement school-based interventions, and collaborate with teachers, SLPs, behavior specialists, and families to embed strategies throughout the day.

The role focuses on sensory integration, fine and gross motor skill development, handwriting, self-care, and independence, with a trauma-informed, student-centered approach and a

Qualifications

• Master’s degree (or higher) in Occupational Therapy from an accredited program.
• Current IL state Occupational Therapy license (or eligibility to obtain one).
• NBCOT certification preferred.
• Experience working with children and adolescents with disabilities, ideally in a school or therapeutic setting.
• Strong knowledge of sensory integration techniques and evidence-based occupational therapy interventions.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and team collaboration skills.
• Passion for making a meaningful impact on students with complex learning and behavioral needs.
• Commitment to a trauma-informed, student-centered approach.

Responsibilities

• Conduct thorough occupational therapy evaluations and develop individualized OT goals and treatment plans
• Deliver direct occupational therapy services to students in both individual and small-group formats
• Address sensory processing difficulties, fine and gross motor development, visual-motor integration, self-regulation, executive functioning, and activities of daily living
• Collaborate closely with classroom teachers, speech-language pathologists, behavior specialists, and families to embed OT strategies throughout the school day
• Participate actively in IEP meetings, progress reporting, and multidisciplinary team consultations
• Maintain accurate documentation in compliance with IDEA and state regulations
• Support students in improving handwriting, self-care skills, classroom participation, and overall independence

Skills

Collaboration

Team-based care

Communication

Trauma-informed approach

Education

Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy

Tools

NBCOT certification

Job description

Benefits

• 401(k)
• Competitive salary
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Tuition assistance
• Vision insurance

Occupational Therapist (OT)

New Leader Academy

Full-Time | Competitive Salary + Excellent Benefits

New Leader Academy is seeking a compassionate and skilled Occupational Therapist to join our dedicated team. We are a specialized therapeutic day school serving students with disabilities, including autism spectrum disorders, developmental delays, emotional and behavioral challenges, intellectual disabilities, and other complex needs.

About the Role

As an Occupational Therapist at New Leader Academy, you will play a critical role in helping our students build the functional, sensory, and motor skills they need to succeed in school and beyond. You will work collaboratively within a supportive, multidisciplinary team to implement individualized education programs (IEPs) in a nurturing, structured environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct thorough occupational therapy evaluations and develop individualized OT goals and treatment plans
• Deliver direct occupational therapy services to students in both individual and small-group formats
• Address sensory processing difficulties, fine and gross motor development, visual-motor integration, self-regulation, executive functioning, and activities of daily living
• Collaborate closely with classroom teachers, speech-language pathologists, behavior specialists, and families to embed OT strategies throughout the school day
• Participate actively in IEP meetings, progress reporting, and multidisciplinary team consultations
• Maintain accurate documentation in compliance with IDEA and state regulations
• Support students in improving handwriting, self-care skills, classroom participation, and overall independence

Qualifications

• Master’s degree (or higher) in Occupational Therapy from an accredited program
• Current IL state Occupational Therapy license (or eligibility to obtain one)
• NBCOT certification preferred
• Experience working with children and adolescents with disabilities, ideally in a school or therapeutic setting
• Strong knowledge of sensory integration techniques and evidence-based occupational therapy interventions
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and team collaboration skills
• Passion for making a meaningful impact on students with complex learning and behavioral needs
• Commitment to a trauma-informed, student-centered approach

What We Offer

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience
• Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, and retirement options
• Professional development and continuing education reimbursement
• Collaborative and supportive work environment with smaller caseloads
• School-year calendar to include ESY
• Opportunity to be part of a mission-driven team focused on helping every student become a “New Leader”

Schedule

Full-time