Licensed Occupational Therapist

We are a private day and boarding school in northern Westchester County, serving the needs of an international coed population of children, adolescents and young adults on the autism spectrum. Connect to a career, where passion & purpose combine...

If you’re passionate about working with and mentoring students on the Autism Spectrum --- Come join our team!

What are we looking for?

The licensed occupational therapist will provide expertise in occupational therapy and related services, serving as an integral part of our team.  He/she will provide expertise in conducting formal and informal functional assessments, consulting, advocating, and supporting, as well as designing and developing treatment plans and interventions that meet the individualized needs of students. He/she will maintain key relationships and collaborate as needed and required with students, their families and all levels of staff at the Shrub Oak International School to ensure that the individualized needs of each student are met.  Having access to confidential information, discretion and independent judgement is required.

• Provides occupational therapy related services in a collaborative approach to ensure that students individualized needs are met holistically working with the clinical team, Education and Student Life teams, administration, families, and external constituencies as needed and required
• Conducts comprehensive formal and informal assessments and reassessments of a student's occupational performance capabilities
• Utilizes a variety of treatment approaches that are safe, creative and individualized to a particular student's needs, monitoring their progress
• Collaborates with other clinicians, and members of the Education and Student Life teams to ensure that each student's progress is holistic, integrated, and takes into account each student's progress and developmental needs
• Proactively maintains communication with students, family members and/or other care givers as appropriate to effectively address student progress, development and emergencies, as needed
• Maintains appropriate records and reports as required
• Participates in clinical and Shrub Oak activities to advance field knowledge and engages in activities to remain at the forefront of professional development and advancements
• Actively assists with other programs, events, and services administered through Shrub Oak and has the opportunity to be involved in a wider range of responsibilities
• Remains up to date on clinical matters, to maintain best in class knowledge of evaluation, intervention, and areas under his/her responsibility
• Participates, as needed, in community and professional education regarding clinical matters, life skills independence, transition services, and related areas
• Encouraged to provide clinical supervision/instruction to occupational therapy Level l and ll students, as needed.
• Performs any other responsibilities as needed and required

Minimum Experience and Qualifications

• A New York State License, and is in good professional standing
• Master’s Degree in occupational therapy required.
• Experience working with students with developmental disabilities or on the autistic spectrum is strongly preferred; school experience a plus
• Minimum 3 years’ experience is preferred
• Ability to manage challenging behaviors respectfully, in accordance with Shrub Oak policies and procedures is preferred  
• Drivers License (in good standing) preferred

Competencies

• Exceptional communication (oral and written) and active listening skills to appropriately understand and meet student needs.  Must also be able to effectively communicate and interact with faculty, staff, families, and all external constituencies
• Excellent analytical capabilities, with a demonstrated ability to understand, problem solve, and make sound determinations/decisions in situations with complex facts and data
• Demonstrated ability to achieve desired results working collaboratively in a dynamic environment with multiple stakeholders while being sensitive and responsive to the diverse needs of students, families, faculty, and staff, with a high degree of cultural competency and collegiality
• Ability to effectively and proactively interact with a wide variety of individuals in a manner that values diversity, and positively portrays our programs, personnel and philosophies
• Ability to adapt, remain flexible
• Demonstrated ability to have a sense of urgency, ability to make sound and appropriate decisions under pressure where situations/circumstances are continually evolving
• Ability to multi-task, and handle multiple situations with discretion, and sensitivity to a variety of factors, while exercising sound judgment
• Demonstrated ability to be a team player and work cross-functionally with other disciplines and with other areas of Shrub Oak

Computer proficiency and a working knowledge of Microsoft Office and other software, and ability to learn Azimuth SIS, our database management software provider

Work Environment: Participate and work in all areas of the campus, both indoors and outdoors

Physical Demands: Workday regularly includes multiple or conflicting demands, deadlines and time pressures; work regularly requires sustained concentration. May be required to lift and adjust therapy equipment in sensory gyms or other locations (i.e. suspended equipment) up to 25 lbs.  Sitting at a desk, walking up and down stairs (building has 6 floors), around a hilly campus as needed, may also require walking between floors or between buildings at a moment’s notice.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work: This is a 12-month full time position.  Full time staff work a traditional 40-hour work week. Demands of the job may require work outside these hours and on weekends as needed and required.

Travel: May be required to travel locally with staff and/or students to job sites or other community settings for the purposes of evaluating job demands, to help create a positive work environment for Shrub Oak’s students, and for other reasons.

EEO Statement

Shrub Oak is an equal employment opportunity employer. Shrub Oak International School is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to apply for a job or to perform the essentials functions of his/her job. Please advise us if you require a reasonable accommodation.