Occupational Therapist, OT (Daycare)

H. T. PROF Group; Birmingham (AL); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

H. T. PROF Group in Birmingham, AL seeks a compassionate Occupational Therapist to join our early childhood team. You will evaluate, design, and deliver individualized OT services for infants to preschoolers.

This role emphasizes play-based assessment, development of motor and sensory skills, collaboration with families and daycare staff, and thorough documentation to support progress.

Qualifications

• Master's or Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from an ACOTE-accredited program.
• Active Alabama OT license or eligibility.
• NBCOT certification and CPR/BLS certification.
• Experience in pediatric/early intervention preferred.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and assess infants to preschoolers using play-based developmental assessments.
• Design evidence-based treatment plans to improve daily classroom engagement and self-help skills.
• Implement direct, play-centered therapies targeting fine motor control and sensory processing.
• Educate and empower parents and daycare staff on strategies.
• Maintain high-quality documentation including evaluations and progress notes.
• Collaborate with SLPs, PTs, and families for integrated care.

Skills

Organizational skills

Time management

Clinical documentation

Interpersonal skills

Communication with parents

Collaborative teamwork

Education

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

Job description

We are seeking a compassionate, driven, and collaborative Occupational Therapist (OT) to join our early childhood team in Birmingham, AL. In this dynamic role, you will evaluate, design, and deliver individualized OT services for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers navigating developmental delays, sensory processing challenges, motor skill deficits, and physical disabilities. Working alongside early educators, specialists, and families, you will empower young children to build the functional motor, sensory, and self-help skills needed to participate fully in daycare routines and achieve key developmental milestones through play.

Key Responsibilities

Evaluate & Assess: Conduct gentle, play-based developmental assessments across sensory, fine/gross motor, visual-motor, and self-care domains to establish baseline abilities and early intervention goals.

Design Care Plans: Create evidence-based treatment plans aimed at improving daily classroom engagement, fine motor strength (grasping, feeding, tool use), sensory regulation, and early independence.

Execute Targeted Interventions:

Implement direct, play-centered therapies focusing on fine motor control, visual-perceptual skills, hand-eye coordination, and motor planning.

Provide specialized sensory regulation and processing strategies to support emotional regulation, focus, and smooth transitions between activities.

Guide children through age-appropriate self-care routines (feeding, dressing, hygiene) and training on adaptive equipment or seating.

Educate & Empower: Consult with daycare teachers, childcare staff, and parents on sensory diets, calming corners, environmental modifications, and home carryover strategies.

Maintain Documentation: Complete high-quality, timely documentation - including initial evaluations, daily treatment notes, progress tracking, and discharge summaries.

Collaborate: Partner closely with early childhood educators, SLPs, PTs, COTAs, and parents to ensure an integrated, family-centered approach to care.

Qualifications & Requirements

Education: Master's or Doctorate degree in Occupational Therapy from an ACOTE-accredited institution.

Licensure: Active (or eligible for) Occupational Therapist license in the State of Alabama.

Certification: Current NBCOT certification and CPR/BLS certification.

Skills & Attributes:

Strong organizational habits, time management, and clinical documentation skills.

Warm, playful, and patient approach tailored to early childhood populations.

Excellent interpersonal and collaborative communication skills with parents and daycare providers.

Prior experience in pediatric, early intervention, or daycare settings is highly preferred (sensory integration background is a plus).