Substitute Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) at Miriam Foundation – St. Louis, Missouri

POSITION: Substitute Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA)

STATUS: Full-time (Initial 3-4 week block), transitioning to On-Call/Substitute

POSITION START DATE: Immediate Need (April 2026)

Pay: $36/hour

REPORTS TO: High School Principal

ABOUT MIRIAM HIGH SCHOOL:

Since expanding our program in 2016, Miriam High School has been dedicated to serving high school students with complex learning challenges. In the coming school year, we are adding 7th and 8th grade classes to our High School campus. As a private, independent high school located in Olivette, we prepare neurodiverse students for college, vocational training, or the workforce through small group instruction, specialized curricula, and a highly caring faculty.

POSITION SUMMARY:

We are seeking a dynamic, adaptable COTA to provide immediate sensory-regulation and fine-motor support. You will work 1:1 or in small groups within the classroom to help students navigate their school day successfully. This role covers academics, social-emotional behaviors, and Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) based on individual student needs.

• Direct Support: Deliver 1:1 and small-group interventions focusing on sensory regulation and fine-motor skills.
• Instructional Reinforcement: Assist with academic tasks, providing necessary accommodations and differentiation in reading and writing.
• Documentation & Reporting: Under the supervision of an Occupational Therapist through Miriam Learning Center, write and update therapy goals, maintain detailed progress notes.
• Collaborative Care: Work alongside teachers and staff to implement OT programs in compliance with school, state, and federal guidelines. Communicate regularly with parents, guardians, and other professionals.

Behavioral Support: Provide real-time reinforcement for social/emotional goals and ADLs to ensure student success.

• Education: Minimum of 60 credit hours from an accredited institution.
• Certification: Current Missouri State Certification/Licensure as an OTA.
• Experience: At least one year of experience working with children (experience with adolescents preferred).
• Skills: Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team and a genuine passion for supporting students with diverse learning profiles.

• Schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (or 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM).
  • Note: Candidates must be available for a full-time block in April before moving to an on-call substitute schedule.
• Physical Activity: This is a highly active role. You must be able to stand, walk, bend, kneel, stoop, and crawl throughout the day.
• Lifting: Ability to frequently lift and/or move items weighing over 50 pounds.
• Background: Satisfactory completion of background check, reference checks, and degree verification is required.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Satisfactory outcome of background check, reference checks and degree verification
• Please note: This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. The employee will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other related duties as assigned by the supervisor/manager. Miriam reserves the right to update, revise or change this description at any time.