Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA)-Behavioral Health

About the role
Roots is seeking a compassionate and motivated Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) to join our interdisciplinary treatment team in a residential treatment center serving adolescent girls ages 13–17. This role will support residents with mental health, behavioral, and trauma-related needs through occupation-based, trauma-informed interventions that promote emotional regulation, daily living skills, coping strategies, and engagement in meaningful activities.
What you'll do
Direct Client Care
Provide individual and group occupational therapy services to adolescent residents based on identified needs
Address areas including (but not limited to):
Emotional regulation and coping skills
Sensory processing and modulation
Daily living skills (ADLs/IADLs)
Social participation and interpersonal skills
Executive functioning, routines, and habits
Self-esteem, identity development, and healthy leisure
Utilize trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate, and occupation-based interventions
Adapt interventions to meet the needs of clients with diagnoses such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, SUD, ODD, and histories of trauma
Evaluation & Documentation
Complete OT evaluations, screenings, and ongoing assessments as appropriate to OTA role.
Develop and implement treatment goals in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team
Document services in a timely, professional, and compliant manner according to facility and regulatory standards
Contribute to treatment planning, progress notes, and discharge planning
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Actively participate as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team, including psychiatrists, therapists, nurses, case managers, and behavioral staff
Attend and contribute to:
Treatment team meetings
Clinical staffing and case reviews
Program development meetings as appropriate
Communicate effectively with staff regarding client needs, progress, and recommendations
Provide consultation and education to staff on OT-related strategies (e. g., sensory supports, routines, coping tools)
Program Support & Development
Assist in the implementation of OT programming within the residential setting
Support therapeutic programming on the milieu as appropriate (groups, activities, skill-building sessions)
Maintain a safe, structured, and therapeutic environment consistent with Roots’ values

Qualifications
Required
Associate’s degree from an accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant program
Current state licensure as an Occupational Therapy Assistant
Experience or strong interest in:
Adolescent mental health
Behavioral health or residential treatment settings
Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team
Strong communication, organization, and documentation skills
Preferred
Experience working with:
Trauma-informed care
Adolescents in behavioral health settings
Group facilitation
sensory integration and sensory-based interventions
Familiarity with mental health diagnoses and therapeutic models
Comfort working in a structured, fast-paced residential environment