Occupational Therapist (OT)

Epworth Children & Family Services Inc; Webster Groves (MO); On-site; USD 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Epworth Children & Family Services Inc. is seeking an Occupational Therapist to evaluate and treat youth across residential, outpatient, and transitional living programs.

The OT will assess sensory processing, self-care, daily living skills, and executive functioning, developing individualized plans to support independence and community integration. The role emphasizes trauma-informed care, collaboration with a multidisciplinary team, and training residential staff to reinforce strategies across

Qualifications

• Master's or Doctoral degree in Occupational Therapy.
• Current Missouri OT license or eligibility.
• NBCOT certification preferred.
• CPR and First Aid certification preferred or obtainable on hire.
• 1–2 years occupational therapy experience preferred.
• Experience with children/adolescents and behavioral health/trauma-affected youth preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive OT evaluations addressing sensory processing, fine motor, self-care, and daily living skills.
• Develop and implement individualized treatment plans aligned to goals and trauma-informed care.
• Provide individual and group OT services across residential, outpatient, and transitional programs.
• Teach coping skills, self-regulation, and adaptive strategies to promote independence.
• Monitor progress and adjust plans; document in EHR per standards.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and train staff to reinforce strategies.

Skills

Clinical assessment

Team collaboration

Communication

EHR proficiency

Documentation

Education

Master's or Doctoral Degree in Occupational Therapy

Missouri OT License

NBCOT certification preferred

CPR/First Aid certification preferred

1–2 years OT experience preferred

Tools

Electronic Health Records

Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams)

Job description

SummaryThe Occupational Therapist (OT) provides evaluation, treatment, consultation, and transition support to children, adolescents, young adults, and families across Epworth’s residential services, outpatient services, and transitional living programs for youth. The OT assesses functional abilities, sensory processing needs, developmental skills, executive functioning, and activities of daily living to support each youth’s physical, emotional, social, educational, and behavioral well-being. Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, the Occupational Therapist develops and implements individualized, trauma-informed treatment plans that promote independence, participation, self-regulation, community integration, and successful transitions among home, school, residential, outpatient, employment, and community environments.Primary Responsibilities:Conduct comprehensive occupational therapy evaluations to assess sensory processing, fine motor skills, self-care abilities, social participation, and daily living skills.Identify strengths, barriers, and treatment needs through observation, standardized assessments, and collaboration with caregivers and treatment team members.Develop recommendations and treatment plans based on assessment findings.Design and implement individualized occupational therapy interventions that support client treatment goals.Provide individual and group occupational therapy services.Develop sensory regulation strategies and environmental modifications that enhance client functioning and participation.Teach coping skills, self-regulation techniques, and adaptive strategies to promote independence and emotional well-being.Monitor progress and adjust treatment plans as needed.Deliver occupational therapy assessment and intervention within the youth’s living environment; address sensory regulation, self-care, sleep routines, meal participation, social engagement, school readiness, and safe participation in daily routines; train residential staff to reinforce individualized strategies consistently across shifts.Provide clinic-based individual, family, and group services; establish measurable functional goals with youth and caregivers; support carryover of strategies in home, school, and community settings; coordinate care with external providers when appropriate.Assess and strengthen independent living skills, including personal care, home management, meal planning and preparation, transportation use, time management, organization, community safety, education and employment routines, and use of community resources; contribute to person-centered transition and discharge plans that prepare youth for greater independence.Coordinate continuity of care as youth move among residential, outpatient, transitional living, family, educational, employment, and community settings.Participate in multidisciplinary treatment team meetings.Collaborate with residential staff, therapists, educators, case managers, medical providers, and families to support client success.Provide consultation and education regarding sensory processing, developmental needs, adaptive functioning, and environmental supports.Assist staff in implementing therapeutic strategies and accommodations.Maintain accurate, timely, and complete clinical documentation in accordance with agency, state, federal, and professional standards.Complete evaluations, treatment notes, progress summaries, and discharge recommendations within required timeframes.Ensure compliance with Medicaid, licensing, accreditation, and ethical standards.Provide education and training to families, caregivers, and staff regarding therapeutic interventions and strategies.Support family involvement in treatment planning and transition planning.Participate in agency training, quality improvement activities, and professional development opportunities.Maintain current knowledge of occupational therapy best practices, evidence-based interventions, and trauma-informed care approaches.Maintain professional licensure and require continuing education credits.Perform other duties as assigned.Supervisory Responsibilities: NoneSalary Range: $75,000.00 - $85,000.00Qualifications:Master's or Doctoral Degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited program.Current Missouri Occupational Therapist License (or eligibility for licensure).Current NBCOT certification is preferred.Current CPR and First Aid certification preferred or ability to obtain upon hire.Minimum one to two years of occupational therapy experience preferred.Experience working with children, adolescents, behavioral health populations, residential treatment, foster care, or trauma-affected youth strongly preferred.Experience with diverse populations.Job Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:Knowledge of child development, sensory integration, trauma-informed care, and behavioral health interventions.Strong clinical assessment and treatment planning skills.Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.Proficiency with electronic health records and documentation systems.Proficient with Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel & TeamsPhysical Requirements:Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, and move throughout facilities and community settings.Ability to demonstrate therapeutic activities and interventions.Ability to safely assist children and adolescents during therapeutic activities when necessary.Ability to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally.Working Environment:Services may be provided in residential treatment facilities, outpatient clinics, transitional living sites, schools, family homes, and community-based settings.The role requires flexibility to provide individual, group, consultative, and environment-based interventions based on program and youth needs.Exposure to youth experiencing emotional, behavioral, developmental, sensory, or functional challenges.Local travel among program sites and community locations may be required.