Capitol Region Education Council OPT Eligible Jobs USA

Position Type:

Professional/Occupational Therapist

Date Posted:

5/5/2026

Location:

River Street Autism Program - Birken

Closing Date:

05/15/2026

Occupational Therapist

Location: River Street Autism Program - Bloomfield**

Since 1966, the Capitol Region Education Council (CREC) has been dedicated to providing innovative, high-quality, and cost-effective educational programs and services to meet the diverse needs of children and adults in Greater Hartford. Serving 33 member districts and reaching additional communities statewide, CREC supports approximately 12,000 students annually through more than 120 educational programs. Our offerings include professional learning and coaching for educators, specialized programming for students with diverse needs, and PreK-12 education across 16 interdistrict magnet schools. Additionally, CREC provides school construction, operations, and cooperative business services, while also delivering programs that help adults build real, job-ready skills.

Position Summary:

The Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR) is responsible for evaluation, planning, and collaboration on IEP goal development for students at assigned sites. As a related service provider, the OTR provides appropriate intervention services designed to enhance the student's participation and learning potential in a variety of educational environments.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Complete screenings, conduct evaluations, develop measurable goals, plan and implement therapeutic interventions, and collect data that are educationally relevant.
• Communicate results of evaluations and reports to educational staff, parents, students, and other professionals or agencies as appropriate.
• Document all therapy services including daily contact notes, progress summaries, evaluations, student Individualized Education Programs (IEP), trainings, and Medicaid billing when required.
• Maintain and submit time records for billing purposes on such activities as travel, direct/indirect services, and prior approved projects.
• Collaborate, consult, teach, and monitor professionals and paraprofessionals involved with the implementation of occupational therapy interventions or strategies.
• Provide consultation to schools and districts regarding student, staff, and system needs.
• Attend meetings as appropriate including school team, PPT meetings, and OT-PT staff meetings and in-services, as required.
• Participate in and facilitate in-service education, training, and professional development for related service staff and school personnel as needed.
• Maintain routine inspection of therapy equipment, order supplies, and maintain inventory. If products are damaged, discontinue use and seek repair or replacement.
• Comply with all company policies and procedures.
• Other duties as assigned.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

When assigned, supervise and monitor an Occupational Therapy Assistant, as required by the Connecticut State Department of Education and Department of Public Health. Opportunities to accept responsibility for providing fieldwork supervision of occupational therapy intern in accordance with existing College/University and school district agreement.

COMPETENCIES:

• Analytical: Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data; Designs work flows and procedures.
• Problem Solving: Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Technical Skills: Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; Pursues training and development opportunities; Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; Shares expertise with others. (OTR)
• Interpersonal Skills: Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.
• Oral & Written Communication: Speaks and writes clearly; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings; edits work for spelling and grammar; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.
• Teamwork: Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
• Leadership: Effectively assigns and matches responsibilities to individuals; Empowers autonomous work; Monitors progress; Demonstrates confidence and motivates others; Takes responsibility for work of COTAs; Remains accessible, and looks for way to continuously improve.
• Judgement: Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.
• Quality & Productivity: Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Continuously seeks and applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors and ensures the quality of own work while meeting productivity standards; Completes tasks in a timely manner and strives to increase productivity.
• Motivation & Initiative: Sets and achieves challenging goals; Demonstrates persistence, and overcomes obstacles; Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Plans for additional resources; Organizes tasks and schedules for others. Volunteers readily; Undertakes self-development activities; Seeks increased responsibilities; Takes independent actions; Looks for opportunities, and offers help when needed.
• Adaptability: Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor's Degree (BA) from four-year college or university from an accredited Occupational Therapy program recognized by NBCOT.

Requires current professional registration with NBCOT and State of Connecticut License by the Department of Public Health.

Have successfully completed and graduated from an accredited occupational therapy professional program recognized by NBCOT and have completed all fieldwork requirements.

Two years of experience as an occupational therapist, preferably in school system or other pediatric practice setting. Requires current professional registration with NBCOT and State of Connecticut License by the Department of Public Health.

Must maintain knowledge of school system practice including influences of disabilities on learning and participation, laws and regulations, evaluations, interventions, and service delivery models.

Note: These statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed rather than give an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

Motor Vehicle Operator's License or ability to provide transportation to job sites, meetings, trainings, and professional learning opportunities as required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Standing (frequently, 1/3 – 2/3; continually, more than 2/3)
• Walking (frequently, 1/3 – 2/3; continually, more than 2/3)
• Sitting (occasionally, less than 1/3)
• Reach with hands and arms (continually, more than 2/3)
• Climbing or balancing (occasionally, less than 1/3)
• Stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl (continually, more than 2/3)
• Ability to work outdoors (occasionally, less than 1/3)
• Lifting up to 100 lbs. (continually, more than 2/3)
• Carrying up to 100 lbs. (continually, more than 2/3)
• Ability to work in a high energy environment with varying noise levels (from quiet to loud) based on student activity

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?

• Group Health Insurance Plans
• Basic & Supplemental Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability & Short Term Disability options
• 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan with Employer Matching Contribution if applicable
• Flexible Spending Account Pre-Tax Savings for Health Care, Dependent Care, and Limited Purpose Post Deductible (if contributing to an HSA)
• Comprehensive benefit time package
• Employee Assistance Program
• Bereavement time & Religious Holidays
• Credit Union Access
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Employee Network Groups
• Access to professional learning opportunities with two fully paid courses through CREC University each year, empowering you to expand your skills and advance your career!
• Benefit from our exclusive partnership with Springfield College, offering a 15% discount on tuition for next-level degree programs to support your academic and career aspirations!

Based on terms and conditions during your employment, specific to your job classification and collective bargaining agreement.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION STATEMENT:

CREC strives to understand and confront the symptoms and causes of racism and prejudice—ranging from biases to aggressions to discriminatory policies, practices, and traditions—that harm people from systemically marginalized groups or that benefit privileged groups. CREC staff and students acknowledge and respect people of all identifiers, such as race, socioeconomic status, gender identity and expression, education, age, ability, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, language, nationality, religion, and veteran status.

DISCLAIMER STATEMENT:

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Working Conditions

Physical demands may include moving therapy equipment and helping lift or move students on and off equipment.

FLSA Status: Non-exempt