Academy Occupational Therapist

Make a Real Impact Every Day!

At Lauren’s Institute for Education (L.I.F.E.), we believe in empowering individuals with developmental disabilities through education, support, and compassion.

Why You’ll Love Working at L.I.F.E.:

Salary: $80,0000 10-month contract

L.I.F.E. provides a robust benefits package, including:

L.I.F.E. observes scheduled Spring, Fall, and Winter breaks. Pay during these designated closure periods is based on employee tenure and eligibility.

• First year of employment: unpaid scheduled breaks
• After 1 year of employment: eligible for 50% scheduled break pay
• Beginning in year 4 and beyond: eligible for 100% scheduled break pay

Eligibility and payment are subject to L.I.F.E.’s policies and applicable employment status.

• Health | Vision | Dental
• Be part of a team with an important mission to help people with disabilities
• 12 paid holidays (Paid after 90 days)
• 2 weeks of Paid Time Off (3 weeks after completion of 2 years)
• Wellness Program (stay healthy, earn rewards, discounts on insurance premiums)
• 401K/Roth Retirement Plans
• Performance and attendance bonuses
• Annual longevity bonuses based on organization profitability
• Employee Assistance Program (free counseling and other assistance)
• Partial Paid FMLA
• Professional development opportunities
• Inhouse trainings
• Discounts on degrees through partnership with Capella University
• Learn from different disciplines
• As a non-profit 501c-3, LIFE may qualify you for student loan forgiveness.
• Employee appreciation
• Birthday gift, monthly cupcakes for all staff
• Employment anniversary recognition every year, special gifts at 1, 3, 5, 10 and 15 years
• Employee of the month for each department. Recognition, gift, personalized parking space for the month
• All staff celebrations (close center, fun staff social activities)
• Monday football treats for all staff
• Free work shirts including a special department spirit shirt
• Beautiful 10-acre facility with multiple specialty environments
• Departmental budgets used to buy what staff want (e.g., food, ET, supplies
• USA Today Top Workplace 2025
• 3rd Place Winner – Phoenix Business Journal’s 2024 Healthiest Employer Award (Small Business Category)

Key Responsibilities:

• Evaluate learners using standardized assessments, observation, interviews, record review, and clinical judgment to determine strengths, needs, and areas for intervention when acting in a Supervisory role for any assigned assistants.
• Develop, implement, monitor, and revise, educational supports, consultative recommendations, and therapeutic interventions within the therapist's licensed scope of practice, ensuring alignment with transdisciplinary goals and learner outcomes.
• Provide consultation, classroom-based supports, and group programming based on learner and organizational needs.
• Integrate therapeutic strategies into Academy environments to support participation, independence, communication, motor skills, sensory regulation, and functional performance while promoting generalization across environments.
• Maintain classroom schedules and provide structured and informal observations, coaching, modeling, and consultation to academy staff to ensure carryover of therapeutic strategies.
• Provide short-term individual consultative support and targeted interventions when clinically indicated to address emerging needs.
• Assist with development, implementation, and ongoing monitoring of ILP goals associated with designated discipline and transdisciplinary treatment objectives.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret data to evaluate progress, inform clinical decision-making, adjust interventions, and complete all required documentation, including daily reflections, progress reports, clinical records, and billing documentation, as applicable.
• Maintain ongoing communication and collaboration with families, caregivers, educational staff, medical providers, and interdisciplinary teams to ensure coordinated care.
• Participate in ILP meetings, case reviews, consultations, and required organizational meetings, contributing clinical insight and recommendations.
• Develop and deliver staff training, professional development, and discipline-specific education to enhance staff competency and consistency of implementation.
• Provide consultation on adaptive equipment, assistive technology, environmental modifications, and therapeutic supports, including assessment, implementation, staff training, and follow-up monitoring.
• Utilize therapeutic and behavior support strategies consistent with organizational expectations and individualized behavior support plans.
• Follow all organizational policies, professional standards, payer requirements, licensing regulations, and applicable laws.
• Complete required trainings, fidelity assessments, continuing education, and maintain licensure and certifications.
• Ensure incidents are documented, reported, and followed up on according to organizational policy and regulatory requirements.
• Supervise assistants, students, interns, or trainees as applicable and consistent with licensure requirements.
• Serve as a clinical resource through education, mentoring, consultation, and support to staff and team members.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives, program development, and organizational projects to enhance service delivery.
• Maintain ethical and professional standards and perform duties safely.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduate degree or doctoral degree, as required by the applicable therapy discipline, from an accredited educational program.
• Current Arizona licensure (or license eligible, if permitted) in the applicable therapy discipline and maintenance of all required professional certifications consistent with the position.
• Knowledge of applicable federal and state laws, licensing regulations, ethical standards, payer requirements, educational practices, and professional standards governing therapy services.
• Experience working with children and/or adults with developmental disabilities preferred; equivalent pediatric or clinical experience may be considered.
• Current Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card.
• Current CPR, First Aid, and Article 9 certification, or the ability to obtain within the required timeframe.
• Understanding of developmental milestones, social skill deficits, maladaptive behaviors, evidence-based therapeutic interventions, and collaborative interdisciplinary service delivery.
• Strong clinical reasoning, organizational, written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with interdisciplinary teams while exercising sound clinical judgment, maintaining professional boundaries, and promoting positive learner outcomes.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience providing therapy services within pediatric, educational, developmental disability, home, community-based, or interdisciplinary settings.
• Experience developing and implementing treatment plans, Individual Learning Plan (ILP) goals, classroom supports, and consultative service models.
• Experience conducting evaluations, standardized assessments, documentation, billing, payer authorization requirements, and progress reporting.
• Experience providing classroom consultation, staff coaching, professional development, or discipline-specific trainings.
• Experience supervising therapy assistants, students, interns, or clinical trainees, consistent with professional licensure requirements.
• Knowledge of DES/DDD, AHCCCS, educational service models, and applicable payer requirements and service specifications.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, competing deadlines, and diverse service environments.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook), electronic medical record systems, and educational or clinical documentation platforms.
• Professionalism, discretion, customer service, and the ability to establish positive working relationships with learners, families, staff, community partners, and interdisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated ability to adapt to changing organizational priorities while supporting continuous quality improvement and evidence-based practice.

Physical Demands:

This position requires a combination of routine administrative activity and occasional physical tasks. Employees must be able to:

• Communicate clearly, and remain attentive to surroundings for extended periods
• Stand, walk, sit, bend, kneel, or reach as part of daily responsibilities
• Lift and move up to 50 pounds when assisting consumers with mobility, transfers, equipment, or program materials
• Push or move items up to 50 pounds, such as wheelchairs, furniture, or supplies
• Maintain adequate vision (close, distance, and peripheral) to complete job-related tasks safely and effectively