Occupational Therapist, OT (Daycare)

KLA Industries, Inc.; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

KLA Industries in Birmingham, AL is seeking a compassionate Occupational Therapist to join our early childhood team. You will evaluate and design individualized OT services for infants to preschoolers with developmental delays and sensory processing challenges.

Work with families to enhance motor, sensory, and self-help skills for daycare participation. Responsibilities include play-based assessments, creating treatment plans, direct interventions, and collaboration with educators and

Qualifications

• Master’s or Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from ACOTE-accredited program.
• Active (or eligible) Alabama OT license.
• NBCOT certification and CPR/BLS certification.
• Strong organizational, time-management, and documentation skills.
• Warm, playful, and patient approach with early childhood populations.
• Experience in pediatric/early intervention or daycare settings preferred; sensory integration a plus.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and assess developmental domains to establish baseline abilities and goals.
• Design evidence-based treatment plans to improve classroom engagement and self-care skills.
• Deliver play-centered interventions focusing on fine motor, hand-eye coordination, and sensory regulation.
• Educate families and daycare staff on sensory diets and home carryover strategies.
• Maintain timely documentation: evaluations, daily notes, progress updates, and discharge summaries.
• Collaborate with early childhood educators, SLPs, PTs, COTAs, and parents for integrated care.

Skills

Organizational skills

Interpersonal communication

Team collaboration

Pediatric/early intervention exposure

Education

Master’s or Doctorate in OT (ACOTE-accredited)

Alabama OT licensure (active or eligible)

NBCOT certification

CPR/BLS certification

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).