Occupational Therapist, OT (Daycare)

NPAworldwide; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 48,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

NPAworldwide in Birmingham, AL is seeking a compassionate Occupational Therapist to evaluate and treat infants to preschoolers with developmental delays and sensory processing challenges.

You will design individualized OT plans, deliver play-based therapies in collaboration with families and daycare staff, and help children build motor, self-care, and social skills to participate fully in daily routines.

Qualifications

• Masters or Doctorate degree in Occupational Therapy from an ACOTE-accredited institution.
• Active (or eligible for) Occupational Therapist license in the State of Alabama.
• Current NBCOT certification and CPR/BLS certification.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and assess developmental status across sensory and motor domains.
• Design evidence-based treatment plans to improve daily classroom engagement and self-care.
• Implement play-centered interventions to develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
• Provide sensory regulation strategies to support emotional regulation and transitions.
• Educate families and daycare staff on sensory diets and home carryover.
• Maintain thorough documentation from evaluations to discharge summaries.
• Collaborate with SLPs, PTs, COTAs, and parents for integrated care.

Skills

Pediatric therapy

Documentation

Team collaboration

Communication with families

Education

OT Masters/Doctorate

Job description

Job Description

We are seeking a compassionate, driven, and collaborative

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 documentationincluding 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

Education: Masters 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).

Why Is This a Great Opportunity

Join our early learning community in Birmingham and make a direct, positive impact on young children's growth and development!

Salary Type

Hourly

Salary Min

$ 35

Salary Max

$ 40

Currency Type

USD