Occupational Therapist

KIPP, the Knowledge Is Power Program, is a national network of free, open enrollment, college preparatory public schools dedicated to preparing students in underserved communities for success in college and life. There are 280 KIPP schools across the nation and the District of Columbia, serving more than 175,000 students and alumni with more than 15,000 educators. 

Founded in 2008 with 50 students in 5th grade, KIPP Columbus currently educates  2,000 students in grades Kindergarten through twelfth.  With a mission to, together with families and the community, create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose -- college, career, and beyond --  KIPP has maintained excellence in its growth, and will improve upon that standard – proving what is possible in public education.

KIPP Columbus continues to rank as one of the top schools for academic growth of any school in the state of Ohio, and is a top performing urban school in the state for academic growth. In our first three graduating classes (in spring 2020, 2021, and % of students were accepted to college and/or military service  with nearly $40 million in merit scholarships from colleges and universities awarded.

In addition to academic excellence, KIPP Columbus also partners with nearly 100 community organizations to provide extracurricular activities, programming, health and wellness services, meals, and more to KIPP students, families, and the broader community. KIPP is also a member of the Ohio High School Athletic Association, offering more than 10 varsity sports. 

The KIPP Columbus learning campus will continue to advance student learning, expand partnerships, enable superior programming, and serve as a teaching and leadership lab for schools nationwide, reimagining education through a deeper lens of antiracism, excellence, and joy as we expand to educate nearly 4,000 students on our learning campus in the coming years. 

Interested in learning more about our school?  Please check out our website:

The Opportunity

The School-Based Occupational Therapist supports students with diverse needs to enhance their academic performance and participation in school activities. This position focuses on developing and improving students' fine motor skills, sensory integration, self-help abilities, and environmental accessibility within the educational setting. The Occupational Therapist at KIPP Columbus provides crucial support and services to students with disabilities. The primary focus areas of the Occupational Therapist are to assess and identify KIPPsters eligible for special education services, assist school teams with their MTSS/RtI process, and work in collaboration with other service providers and student services team members to ensure a high quality continuum of services is available to all KIPPsters. 

The Occupational Therapist will be licensed by the Ohio Department of Education & Workforce with a minimum of 1 year experience as a school-based Occupational Therapist.

A summary of responsibilities include, but not limited to: 

• Conduct comprehensive evaluations to identify students' needs in areas such as fine motor skills, sensory processing, and self-regulation.

• Analyze students' ability to perform tasks within their educational environment and develop individualized intervention plans.

• Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team to contribute to IEP (Individualized Education Program) development.

• Provide direct and consultative occupational therapy services to address students' goals as outlined in their IEPs.

• Develop and implement interventions to improve students' participation in classroom activities, self-care routines, and play.

• Modify or recommend adaptive equipment, assistive technology, or classroom accommodations.

• Address sensory processing issues that impact students' ability to focus and engage in learning.

• Work closely with teachers, support staff, and parents to integrate strategies into students' daily routines.

• Train staff on techniques to support students' sensory, motor, and self-regulation needs.

• Participate in team meetings, parent conferences, and professional development opportunities.

• Maintain accurate and timely records of evaluations, progress reports, therapy sessions, and consultations.

• Ensure compliance with state and federal regulations, including IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) and district policies.

• Assist in Medicaid documentation and billing as required by the district.

• Evaluate and adapt the physical school environment to enhance accessibility for students with disabilities.

• Provide recommendations for classroom seating, desk arrangements, and other modifications to optimize student engagement and comfort.

• Demonstrate professionalism, cultural sensitivity, and respect for confidentiality

In addition, the Occupational Therapist will supervise a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, which includes:

• Ensuring that the COTA practices within the scope of their training and adheres to the goals and treatment plans established by the OT

• Regular collaboration with COTA to discuss progress, update the plan of care, and adjust goals as necessary for students on the caseload

• Supervision at least once every 7 days through direct or indirect means (e.g., face-to-face meetings, telecommunication)

• Documentation of supervision, including the date, format (direct or indirect), and content of discussions and maintaining of these records.

• Co-signing all student records, progress notes, and other documentation prepared by the COTA.

• Minimum of 1 year experience as a school-based Occupational Therapist & ability to supervise a COTA

• Master's degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited program

• Active Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Pupil Services License as an Occupational Therapist

• Active Ohio Occupational Therapist license issued by the Ohio Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Athletic Trainers Board

• Experience in analyzing student data and using data to inform the development of specialized services 

• Experience conducting ETR evaluations and writing IEP goals as well as progress monitoring

• Ability to manage caseload effectively and adapt to diverse student needs

• Ability to persevere with a sense of optimism, strong problem solving skills, and desire to learn and grow in a collaborative professional learning community

• Willingness, and commitment, to go above and beyond to prove the possible with students.

• Ability to multi-task and work within an ambiguous, fast-moving, start-up environment, while driving toward clarity and solutions

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills

• Strong knowledge of child development, sensory integration, and evidence-based practices

• Extreme flexibility, with a strong work ethic and an entrepreneurial spirit to accommodate high levels of responsibility and multiple priorities

• Model the values of KIPP Columbus (Imagine, Navigate, Seek, Persevere, Integrity, Responsibility, and Empathy) 

• Travel may be required

Compensation and Benefits

KIPP Columbus offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefit plan including medical and dental insurance, as well as group term life insurance, retirement plan and paid time off. 

Statement of Non-Disclosure

KIPP Columbus is committed to a policy of equal treatment for all individuals applying to the school for consideration of any position (admission, employment, etc.). KIPP Columbus does not discriminate on the basis of disability, gender, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic that is contained in the definition of hate crimes set forth in Section of the Ohio Revised Code.