Occupational Therapist (Part-time) in Norfolk

Solterra School exists to redefine education through holistic inclusion—blending Universal Design for Learning (UDL), Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), and integrated therapeutic supports within an eco-conscious environment that honors each learner’s unique rhythm of growth.

The Occupational Therapist advances this mission by supporting students’ ability to participate fully in their daily learning environment—strengthening independence, regulation, sensory integration, and functional life skills through evidence-based, dignity-centered therapeutic care.

Position Summary

The Occupational Therapist (OT) serves as an onsite clinical provider responsible for evaluating, treating, and supporting students with sensory, motor, regulation, and functional participation needs.

This role is highly integrated into Solterra’s educational model, collaborating closely with classroom teams, clinical staff, and families to ensure occupational therapy strategies are embedded into the daily rhythm of the school day—not isolated to a therapy session.

The OT provides direct intervention, consultation, and systems-based support to help students access learning through their bodies, build independence in functional routines, and strengthen sensory and self-regulation skills that support academic and social engagement.

This position includes documentation fidelity and compliance readiness aligned with applicable clinical standards and payer requirements (as applicable).

• Core Responsibilities
• 1. Evaluation, Assessment & Treatment Planning
• Conduct comprehensive occupational therapy evaluations, including assessment of:
• Sensory processing and regulation needs
• Fine motor development and visual-motor integration
• Self-care / activities of daily living (ADLs)
• Motor planning, praxis, and coordination
• Executive functioning and functional task initiation
• Develop individualized treatment plans aligned with student goals and school-based functional needs
• Identify barriers to participation in learning environments and propose practical supports and modifications
• Create measurable goals and progress monitoring systems that are functional, student-centered, and measurable
• 2. Direct OT Services (Individual + Group)
• Provide direct therapy services in individual and small-group formats

• Support student development in areas such as

• Emotional and sensory regulation skills
• Fine motor strengthening (handwriting readiness, grasp, scissor skills)
• Visual perceptual skills impacting learning access
• Core strength, posture, and motor endurance as needed for school tasks
• Functional independence with routines and transitions
• Provide interventions that are evidence-based, strengths-based, and dignity-centered
• Incorporate movement-based, rhythmic, and sensory-informed strategies that support engagement and nervous system safety
• 3. Sensory Integration & Regulation Support
• Provide expertise and support for sensory processing needs across classrooms and campus environments
• Partner with staff to implement practical sensory supports, including:
• Sensory diets and regulation routines
• Calm-down plans and sensory toolkits
• Movement breaks and structured transitions
• Environmental modifications (lighting, sound, seating, workspace setup)
• Collaborate with the education team to create regulation-supportive learning spaces aligned with UDL principles
• Support development of consistent schoolwide regulation practices where appropriate
• 4. Functional Skills, ADLs & Independence Building
• Support students in building functional independence skills aligned to age and developmental readiness

• Address ADLs and school participation tasks, including

• Dressing, toileting routines, hygiene supports
• (as appropriate within school scope)
• Feeding independence supports
• (in collaboration with SLP/Nurse as appropriate)
• Organization of materials, initiation of tasks, and completion of classroom routines
• Provide staff with practical strategies to scaffold independence while maintaining student dignity
• 5. Classroom Integration & Interdisciplinary Collaboration
• Collaborate closely with teachers and classroom staff to embed OT strategies into instruction and routines
• Partner with BCBA/behavior teams to align sensory/regulation supports with behavior plans and proactive supports
• Support staff implementation through modeling, coaching, and consultation
• Participate in interdisciplinary planning and student support meetings as needed
• Reduce silos between education and therapy by ensuring OT supports are functional, integrated, and sustainable
• 6. Documentation Fidelity & Compliance Readiness
• Maintain accurate, timely, and compliant documentation aligned with internal standards and external requirements
• (as applicable)
• Complete therapy notes, progress summaries, treatment plans, and required reporting with high fidelity
• Track student progress through measurable data systems aligned to individualized goals
• Support authorization tracking and clinical documentation expectations for Medicaid/commercial payers
• (if applicable)
• Uphold confidentiality and professional standards in all records, communication, and reporting
• 7. Family Partnership & Communication
• Partner with families to support carryover of functional skills and regulation strategies across settings
• Provide professional and compassionate feedback regarding student progress, needs, and recommendations
• Communicate therapy goals in clear, parent-friendly language
• Participate in meetings as needed to support continuity of student care and coordinated intervention

Qualifications

• Required
• Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited program
• Active (or eligible) Virginia licensure as an Occupational Therapist
• Strong clinical skill supporting students with sensory, motor, and regulation needs
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and classroom environments
• Strong professionalism, communication skills, and documentation integrity
• Commitment to ethical, student-centered, dignity-based practice
• Preferred
• Experience in private day schools, special education settings, pediatric clinics, or integrated education-therapy models
• Experience supporting neurodivergent learners and students with complex needs
• Comfort designing practical sensory supports that can be implemented consistently by classroom teams
• Familiarity with UDL and trauma-informed educational environments
• Familiarity with documentation systems and payer requirements
• (as applicable)
• Energetic & Leadership Fit
• Calm, grounded clinical presence
• Highly collaborative and classroom-integrated mindset
• Strong documentation integrity and organization
• Practical, creative clinician who builds tools staff can actually sustain
• Comfortable working in a startup environment with evolving systems
• Key Collaborators
• Chief Clinical Officer (CCO)
• Executive Director
• Teachers and Education Teams
• BCBA / Behavior Support Team
• Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP)
• (as applicable)
• School Nurse / Health Services Coordinator
• Families and Guardians
• Metrics of Success
• Demonstrated student progress toward functional independence and regulation goals
• Increased student participation and access within classroom routines
• Effective sensory strategies implemented consistently across settings
• Strong collaboration between clinical and education teams
• Clear, compliant documentation aligned with internal expectations
• Positive family partnership and carryover of student supports
• Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Solterra School, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all team members.

Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

We believe every member of our community deserves dignity, respect, and the opportunity to thrive.