Occupational Therapist
Listed compensation
$50k-$80k
The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed
Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.
Job Description
Benefits
- 401(k)
- Competitive salary
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Tuition assistance
- Vision insurance
Occupational Therapist (OT)
New Leader Academy
Full-Time | Competitive Salary + Excellent Benefits
New Leader Academy is seeking a compassionate and skilled Occupational Therapist to join our dedicated team. We are a specialized therapeutic day school serving students with disabilities, including autism spectrum disorders, developmental delays, emotional and behavioral challenges, intellectual disabilities, and other complex needs.
About the Role
As an Occupational Therapist at New Leader Academy, you will play a critical role in helping our students build the functional, sensory, and motor skills they need to succeed in school and beyond. You will work collaboratively within a supportive, multidisciplinary team to implement individualized education programs (IEPs) in a nurturing, structured environment.
Key Responsibilities
Conduct thorough occupational therapy evaluations and develop individualized OT goals and treatment plans
Deliver direct occupational therapy services to students in both individual and small-group formats
Address sensory processing difficulties, fine and gross motor development, visual-motor integration, self-regulation, executive functioning, and activities of daily living
Collaborate closely with classroom teachers, speech-language pathologists, behavior specialists, and families to embed OT strategies throughout the school day
- Participate actively in IEP meetings, progress reporting, and multidisciplinary team consultations
- Maintain accurate documentation in compliance with IDEA and state regulations
- Support students in improving handwriting, self-care skills, classroom participation, and overall independence
Qualifications
Master’s degree (or higher) in Occupational Therapy from an accredited program
Current IL state Occupational Therapy license (or eligibility to obtain one)
NBCOT Certification Preferred
- Experience working with children and adolescents with disabilities, ideally in a school or therapeutic setting
- Strong knowledge of sensory integration techniques and evidence-based occupational therapy interventions
- Excellent interpersonal, communication, and team collaboration skills
- Passion for making a meaningful impact on students with complex learning and behavioral needs
- Commitment to a trauma-informed, student-centered approach
What We Offer
- Competitive salary commensurate with experience
- Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, and retirement options
- Professional development and continuing education reimbursement
- Collaborative and supportive work environment with smaller caseloads
School-year Calendar to Include ESY
Opportunity to be part of a mission-driven team focused on helping every student become a “New Leader”
Schedule: Full-time
If you are a dedicated Occupational Therapist who is passionate about working with students with disabilities and thrives in a team-oriented, therapeutic school setting, we invite you to apply!
Qualifications
- Education
- Master's degree (postgraduate degree)
- Experience
- 2+ years of experience
Key Skills
Occupational Therapist Career Context
In Illinois, the Occupational Therapy weighted monthly median benchmark on WeekdayDoc is ~$93k (258 salary observations; 920 listings), vs ~$97k nationally (4,521 salary observations; 25,570 listings). Monthly aggregates cover 2026-01-01 through 2026-10-01; these are not the modal's selected comparable-job medians.
The cost-of-living index for Illinois is 100.0 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$65k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $65k in an average-cost state. 62.6% of Illinois clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
Of the 40 active Occupational Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 43% have no call, 80% require no weekends.
Occupational Therapy pay on WeekdayDoc is up 3.7% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).
Work-Life Balance Analysis
WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Occupational Therapist at New Leader Academy a 7.2 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as very good. This places the position in the top 10% in Occupational Therapy — ranked against 9,471 active Occupational Therapy listings on WeekdayDoc.
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