Occupational Therapist (Full-Time + Benefits!) - Fort Worth, TX $6k Sign-on Bonus
WHY THRIVE THERAPIES
School-based OTs are fundamental to inclusive education, yet many practice in isolation, with insufficient time for collaboration and consultation. You're often pulled between direct service demands and the systems work that actually prevents deficits.
Thrive partners with districts that view occupational therapy as integral to school-wide accessibility. You'll work in environments where your expertise in fine motor, sensory integration, self-care, and environment adaptation is valued at the planning level — not just for individual IEPs. You'll have time for classroom consultation, collaborative activities design, and peer mentoring.
POSITION SUMMARY
As a School-Based Occupational Therapist, you assess and treat students K–12 with physical, developmental, sensory, and learning challenges that impact educational function and independence. You design individualized interventions targeting fine motor skills, sensory processing, self-care routines, and learning environment modifications to support academic engagement and social participation.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
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Conduct comprehensive OT evaluations including fine and gross motor assessment, sensory processing screening, self-care functional capacity, and learning readiness
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Develop and implement individualized IEP goals focused on school function: handwriting, self-feeding, self-care routines, classroom participation, and independence
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Deliver direct and consultative occupational therapy services including fine motor skill development, sensory integration activities, and environmental modifications
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Design classroom-wide and school-wide sensory breaks, movement activities, and accommodations to support learning and self-regulation
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Collaborate with special education, physical therapists, and classroom teachers on positioning, adaptive equipment, and accessibility solutions
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Assess and recommend adaptive equipment, assistive technology, and learning environment modifications
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Participate in IEP/ARD meetings and contribute to transition planning for secondary students
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
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Master's degree in Occupational Therapy from an ACOTE-accredited program
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NBCOT certification (OTR) required; Occupational Therapy License (OTL) in assigned state
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Valid, unrestricted state licensure/certification as an Occupational Therapist
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Proof of immunization status and background check clearance per school district requirements
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
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2+ years of school-based OT experience (new graduates welcome with structured mentorship)
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Training in sensory integration and processing (Ayres Sensory Integration preferred)
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Experience with adaptive equipment, assistive technology, and accessibility assessment
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Experience with autism spectrum disorder and complex physical disabilities
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Bilingual capability a meaningful plus — premium compensation applies
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
Compensation is paid over 10 months, aligned to the school-year calendar. All figures below reflect the Dallas / Fort Worth, TX market.
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Base Compensation |
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W-2 Base Salary |
$69,000 – $82,400,based on experience |
A salary that reflects the expertise you bring. W-2 employment means full benefits, paid time off, retirement match, disability coverage, and malpractice insurance — all on us. Your total compensation is built to reflect what this work is worth. |
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1099 Contractor Rate |
$51-$63/hr/hr |
If flexibility is what fits your life, we built that in. Our 1099 option puts you in control of how you work — with a competitive hourly rate, full professional supports, and your career mobility fully intact. |
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Additional Earning Potential! |
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Sign-On Bonus |
$6,000 —paid 25% at 30 days,25% at 90 days,50% at 6 months |
Our sign-on bonus is a signal: we’re committed to you from the moment you say yes, and we want you to feel that. |
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Longevity Structure |
Up to $2,000 —paid after completing your first full school year |
We’re building Thrive around the people who commit to this work and to each other over the long haul — because that’s who our kids and schools depend on. Every year you come back, we reward it. And it grows with you. |
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CEU Stipend |
$750 your first year →growing up to $2,000after five years |
Your practice is the whole thing. The more you grow as a clinician, the better the care our kids get. We put real dollars behind your continuing education, and it grows with your tenure. Investing in your expertise is investing in our mission. |
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Performance Bonus |
Paid annually afterexceeding performancemetrics |
When you go above and beyond for students, we notice. Our performance bonus is how we say we see you, we value what you’re doing, and this work matters. |
BENEFITS OFFERINGS
HEALTH COVERAGE — AT NO COST TO YOU (W-2 Employees Only)
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Medical, dental, and vision insurance — Thrive covers 100% of employee premiums
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Coverage begins day one
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Choice of HSA-eligible high-deductible plan or traditional PPO; nationwide PPO network
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Dependent and family coverage available
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401(k) with up to 5% company match
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Optional voluntary benefits: supplemental life, accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and FSA
TIME OFF & SCHEDULE (W-2 Employees Only)
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School-year calendar — school holidays off, amounting to 30+ paid days annually
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3 PTO and 3 Sick days
ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL SUPPORTS (All Employees)
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Malpractice and professional liability insurance — fully covered by Thrive; no personal policy required
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Quarterly professional development led by clinical leadership — school-based, substantive, and paid
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Paid Summer Intensive — pre-year clinical PD that brings the full Thrive team together annually
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No non-compete agreement — your professional mobility is yours to keep
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State OT licensure renewal and NBCOT dues reimbursed annually
Health Link
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