Occupational Therapist

Title: Occupational Therapist

Reports to: Director of Therapies and  Related Services

Supervises: N/A

Employment Type: Faculty; Full-time, Exempt

Work Location: 5 Hanover Square, New York, NY 10004

Anticipated Start Date: August 2026

The IDEAL School of Manhattan is an inclusion school dedicated to creating a diverse community that affirms and accepts the full identities of all people, while inspiring academic excellence, creative leadership, and a desire to build a more just and equitable world.

Position Description

The IDEAL School is seeking a talented, enthusiastic, dedicated, and caring Occupational Therapist to support students Grades 6-12+. Candidates must have a valid license to practice and a passion for, and skill with, working with all school-aged children, including children with global delays. Therapists at IDEAL collaborate with teachers to ensure goals and interventions are developed and carried over into the classroom and curriculum and to provide informal, ongoing assessments of students as needed or requested. They also partner with administrators to work with CSE teams. All applicants must have a commitment to inclusion education.

Responsibilities:

• Provides educationally and developmentally-based occupational therapy to support students' individual goals and access to the school environment

• Develop clear and effective therapeutic goals focused on improving student ability to perform daily tasks and achieve greater independence

• Plan, prepare, or carry out individually designed programs of  treatment

• Provide timely and clear feedback to students based on targeted goals 

• Push-in to facilitate generalization of skills in academic settings

• Maintain accurate records and documentation regarding student sessions, goals and outcomes 

• Observe impact of treatment at various stages and adjust care plans to achieve targeted goal

• Communicate with student families via email, conferences, and progress reports

• Collaborates with the school team to determine student needs, supports, accommodations and modifications appropriate to students who receive physical therapy

• Advise student and family in treatment procedures to be continued at home

• Work collaboratively with faculty and therapy team to ensure support student development

• IDEAL therapists participate as a part of the staff in responsibilities including chaperoning events, lunch duty, and advisory in Upper School; their participation in the community builds essential relationships

• Other duties as assigned

Essential Qualities

• Maintains and illustrates high standards of honesty, integrity, and appropriate confidentiality in interactions with colleagues, students, and parents/guardians

• Appreciation for the school’s mission, in particular its inclusive learning environment and commitment to social justice

• A desire and eagerness to make a difference in the school--to contribute time and talent outside of therapy sessions to the growth of students and to the broader work and life of the school

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• The ability to collaborate as a part of a team, flexibility, and a sense of humor

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree 

• Valid NY State License

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a school based setting

• Doctorate of Occupational Therapy

Benefits Include: Paid time off, comprehensive medical, dental and vision insurance, flexible spending program, health reimbursement account, commuter benefits program, income protection via short and long-term disability benefits, paid family leave, professional development opportunities, 403(b) plan with employer contribution(waiting period applies).

Salary Range: $65,000-$78,000 (this represents the expected salary range for this position. Salary will be determined based on education, experience, and other job-related factors)

Equal Opportunity Employer 

The IDEAL School of Manhattan is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunities for all qualified employees and job applicants and to making all employment decisions without unlawful discrimination as to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, familial status, actual or perceived status as a victim of domestic violence, caregiver status, gender identity or expression, military status, veteran status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, or any other status or condition protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.This policy of Equal Employment Opportunity applies to all policies and procedures.

This policy of Equal Employment Opportunity applies to all policies and procedures relating to recruitment, hiring, compensation, benefits, training and development, promotion, demotion, discipline, termination and all other terms and conditions of employment.