School Occupational Therapist - Union County, NJ

RWJBarnabas Health; Mountainside (NJ); On-site; USD 68,000 - 79,000; Full time

Job summary

RWJBarnabas Health's Children’s Specialized Hospital in Mountainside, NJ, seeks a School Services Occupational Therapist to provide school-based OT across Union County. You’ll evaluate students, develop goals, and collaborate with educators to support participation and academic achievement.

You will work with a multidisciplinary team, ensure documentation accuracy, and participate in IEP meetings, while traveling between school locations as needed.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited Occupational Therapy program.
• Licensure: Current and unrestricted New Jersey Occupational Therapist license issued by the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs.
• Certification: Appropriate New Jersey School Certification required.
• Experience: Pediatric or school-based experience preferred; new graduates welcome with strong pediatric clinical affiliation or fieldwork.
• Skills: Knowledge of school-based occupational therapy evaluation techniques, educationally relevant treatment planning, IEP development, documentation standards, student and family education, assistive technology and adaptive equipment, and interdisciplinary collaboration within an educational setting.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive occupational therapy evaluations and assessments to determine students' educational therapy needs.
• Develop and implement individualized, goal-oriented intervention plans that support participation, independence, and success in the school environment.
• Collaborate with teachers, special educators, related service providers, administrators, and families to develop educational plans that promote student achievement.
• Participate in IEP meetings and other school team meetings to provide clinical recommendations and support educational planning.
• Provide consultation, instruction, training, and ongoing support to school personnel regarding therapeutic strategies and classroom accommodations.
• Maintain documentation, evaluation reports, treatment records, scheduling, billing logs, and other required documentation per policies.
• Manage therapy equipment and inventory and ensure proper accountability.
• Supervise OT fieldwork students when applicable; contribute to development of future clinicians.
• Meet productivity expectations while representing the hospital with professionalism.

Skills

IEP development

Documentation standards

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Assistive technology

Family education

Education

Bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy

NJ OT license

NJ School Certification

Job description

Job Title: Occupational Therapist

Location: Mountainside (MTN)

Department Name: SPF - School Based Therapies

Req #: 0000264625

Status: Salaried

Shift: Day

Pay Range: $68,200.00 - $79,300.00 per year

Pay Transparency:

The above reflects the anticipated annual salary range for this position if hired to work in New Jersey.

The compensation offered to the candidate selected for the position will depend on several factors, including the candidate's educational background, skills and professional experience.

School Services Occupational Therapist – Children's Specialized Hospital, RWJBarnabas Health

At Children's Specialized Hospital, part of RWJBarnabas Health, School Services Occupational Therapists play an essential role in helping students achieve meaningful participation and success in their educational environments. As a member of our School Services team, you will collaborate with educators, families, and interdisciplinary professionals to deliver school-based occupational therapy services that support students' academic achievement, functional independence, and participation in school activities. This position offers the opportunity to work within a collaborative, student-centered educational model while making a lasting impact on the lives of children and adolescents with a wide range of developmental, physical, and behavioral needs. Joining Children's Specialized Hospital means becoming part of an organization committed to clinical excellence, innovation, and empowering every therapist to grow professionally while improving outcomes for students and families. This position will support a school district in Union County, NJ.

A typical day for a School Services Occupational Therapist may include:

• Conducting comprehensive occupational therapy evaluations, re-evaluations, and assessments to determine students' educationally relevant therapy needs
• Developing and implementing individualized, goal-oriented intervention plans that support students' participation, independence, and success in the school environment
• Collaborating with teachers, special educators, related service providers, administrators, and families to develop comprehensive educational plans that promote student achievement
• Participating in Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings and other school team meetings, either in person or through virtual platforms, to provide clinical recommendations and support educational planning
• Providing consultation, instruction, training, and ongoing support to school personnel regarding therapeutic strategies, adaptive equipment, and classroom accommodations
• Utilizing educational service delivery models while ensuring therapy services align with students' educational goals and district requirements
• Maintaining timely and accurate documentation, evaluation reports, treatment records, scheduling, billing logs, and other required documentation in accordance with Children's Specialized Hospital and school district policies
• Managing therapy equipment and maintaining accountability for assigned inventory and materials
• Supporting interdisciplinary collaboration through regular communication with school staff, families, and Children's Specialized Hospital School Services leadership
• Participating in continuing education, mandatory training, and professional development activities while maintaining clinical competencies
• Supervising occupational therapy fieldwork students, when applicable, and contributing to the development of future clinicians
• Meeting productivity expectations while representing Children's Specialized Hospital with professionalism and a commitment to exceptional school-based care

This role might be for you if:

• You are passionate about helping children succeed in their educational environment through meaningful occupational therapy interventions
• You enjoy collaborating with educators, families, and multidisciplinary teams to support student achievement and participation
• You understand the unique differences between educational and medical models of occupational therapy service delivery
• You communicate effectively with students, caregivers, teachers, administrators, and healthcare professionals
• You are organized, adaptable, and able to manage multiple priorities while meeting required timelines
• You enjoy problem-solving and developing creative, student-centered interventions that promote independence and functional success
• You are committed to lifelong learning, professional growth, and evidence-based pediatric practice
• You value collaboration, compassion, and making a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families

To Be Considered:

To be considered for this opportunity, you must meet the following criteria:

• Education:Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited Occupational Therapy program.
• Licensure:Current and unrestricted New Jersey Occupational Therapist license issued by the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs.
• Certification:Appropriate New Jersey School Certification required.
• Experience:Previous pediatric or school-based clinical experience is preferred; new graduates with strong pediatric clinical affiliation or fieldwork experience are encouraged to apply.
• Skills:Demonstrated knowledge of school-based occupational therapy evaluation techniques, educationally relevant treatment planning, IEP development, documentation standards, student and family education, assistive technology and adaptive equipment, and interdisciplinary collaboration within an educational setting.
• Schedule:Ability to work a Full-time schedule (37.5 hours/week) and travel between assigned school locations as needed. This position will support a school district in Union County, NJ.