School Occupational Therapy Assistant in Mountainside, New Jersey at RWJBarnabas Health

Job Title: Occupational Therapy Assistant

Location: Mountainside (MTN)

Department Name: SPF - School Based Therapies

Req #: 0000264426

Status: Hourly

Shift: Day

Pay Range: $23.09 - $28.70 per hour

Pay Transparency:

The above reflects the anticipated hourly wage 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 Therapy Assistant – Children's Specialized Hospital, RWJBarnabas Health

At Children's Specialized Hospital, part of RWJBarnabas Health, School Services Occupational Therapy Assistants play an essential role in supporting students' ability to participate successfully, independently, and meaningfully in their educational environments. As a member of our School Services team, you will work under the direction and supervision of an Occupational Therapist while collaborating with educators, families, and interdisciplinary professionals to provide school-based occupational therapy services that support students' functional independence, participation, and educational success. This position offers the opportunity to work within a collaborative, student-centered educational model while making a meaningful 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 clinician to grow professionally while improving outcomes for students and families.

A typical day for a School Services Occupational Therapy Assistant may include:

• Implementing individualized, goal-oriented occupational therapy interventions under the direction and supervision of an Occupational Therapist to support students' participation, independence, and success in the school environment

• Providing therapeutic activities, strategies, techniques, and modalities that are educationally relevant and aligned with students' individualized goals and needs

• Collaborating with teachers, special educators, related service providers, administrators, and families to support the implementation of students' educational and therapeutic plans

• Participating in Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings and other school team meetings, when appropriate, either in person, by telephone, or through virtual platforms

• Providing consultation, instruction, training, supervision, and ongoing support to school personnel regarding prescribed therapeutic strategies, techniques, modalities, adaptive equipment, and classroom supports

• Utilizing educational service delivery models and applying occupational therapy principles within the school environment to support students' educational goals and participation

• Communicating timely and effectively with students, families, school personnel, Occupational Therapists, and Children's Specialized Hospital School Services staff regarding student progress, therapeutic needs, and relevant clinical or educational information

• Completing accurate and timely documentation, treatment records, scheduling, billing logs, databases, and other required documentation in accordance with Children's Specialized Hospital and school district policies

• Maintaining and managing therapy equipment, supplies, and assigned inventory while ensuring appropriate use and accountability of therapeutic materials

• Supporting interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary collaboration through ongoing communication with school staff, families, therapists, and Children's Specialized Hospital School Services leadership

• Participating in mandatory education, continuing education, professional development, and competency activities to maintain and enhance professional skills

• Participating in the training and supervision of occupational therapy assistant or occupational therapy fieldwork students, when applicable, in accordance with established student program objectives

• 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 and participate as fully as possible in their educational environment

• You enjoy working collaboratively with Occupational Therapists, 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 and professionally with students, caregivers, teachers, administrators, therapists, and other school and healthcare professionals

• You are organized, dependable, adaptable, and able to manage multiple priorities while meeting required documentation and service timelines

• You enjoy problem-solving and implementing creative, student-centered therapeutic interventions that promote independence and functional success

• You are committed to lifelong learning, professional development, and evidence-based pediatric occupational therapy practice

• You value collaboration, compassion, professionalism, 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: Associate degree or higher from an accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant program.

• Licensure: Current and unrestricted New Jersey Occupational Therapy Assistant license issued by the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs.

• Certification: Appropriate New Jersey School Certification, if required for the assigned position or school district.

• 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 service delivery, educationally relevant intervention planning, therapeutic techniques and modalities, student and school personnel education, adaptive equipment, documentation standards, and interdisciplinary collaboration within an educational setting.

• Supervision: Ability to provide occupational therapy services under the direction and supervision of a licensed Occupational Therapist in accordance with New Jersey statutes, regulations, professional standards, and organizational policies.

• Schedule: Ability to work 22.5 hours per week and attend required meetings within the parameters of the assigned schedule, with the ability to travel between assigned school locations as needed.