Job Description

Amergis Healthcare Staffing, Inc.-Allied is seeking a local contract Occupational Therapist for a local contract job in Athens, Ohio.

Job Description & Requirements

• Specialty: Occupational Therapist
• Discipline: Therapy
• Start Date: 05/25/2026
• Duration: 49 weeks
• 30 hours per week
• Shift: 7 hours, days
• Employment Type: Local Contract

Pediatric Occupational Therapist (OT)
Location: Athens, OH (On‑site | Farm‑Based Center)
Contract Length: 52 weeks
Start Date: May 25, 2026

About the Practice

This is a small, private pediatric practice located on an 11‑acre farm in Athens, Ohio. The practice is intentionally warm, open, and non‑traditional, serving almost exclusively autistic children through a 100% relationship‑based therapy model (not ABA).

The team currently includes 2 SLPs and 4 music therapists and has been seeking the right OT fit. This is an opportunity to become a core clinician in a close‑knit, highly relational practice with deep family involvement.

Population Served

• Children with autism ages 2–11
• Primarily early childhood
• Families are highly engaged and active participants in therapy
• Practice currently serves approximately 23 families , all with close, established relationships

Therapeutic Model & Environment

• Fully relationship‑based, neurodiversity‑affirming approach
• Strong emphasis on:
  • Connection
  • Regulation
  • Engagement
• Animal‑assisted therapy is a core part of the model
  • On‑site animals include horses/ponies, sheep, goats, and bunnies
• Therapy takes place:
  • Indoors and outdoors
  • On walking paths and wooded areas
  • In natural, sensory‑rich environments
• Autism Scholarship provider, allowing for 90‑minute therapy sessions
• Outstanding attendance rates due to strong parent partnership

Role Details

• Occupational Therapist (OT) only (OT preferred over COTA)
• On‑site role; no remote option
• Around animals daily; must be comfortable outside and walking uneven terrain
• Practice provides:
  • Branded polo shirt
  • Canvas work apron
• Initial contract with expectation of long‑term continuation and potential transition to direct placement

Orientation & Training

• Approximately 1 month of coach‑led orientation and mentorship
• Close collaboration with the owner (licensed SLP)
• Employer‑paid relationship‑based therapy training after onboarding
• Role requires openness to observation, reflection, and learning a deeply relational model

Schedule & Reliability Expectations

• Arrival time expectations will be outlined in the contract
• Punctuality is essential due to safety considerations involving children, animals, and outdoor sessions

Licensure Requirements

• Active Ohio OT License
• ODE OT License (or eligibility)
• Preferred: ODE OT Pupil License

Ideal Candidate

• Pediatric OT with clear experience or strong interest in autism
• Exposure to relationship‑based, play‑based, or child‑led therapy models preferred
• Child‑first clinician who values:
  • Authentic connection over protocols
  • Family collaboration
  • Learning through observation and mentorship
• Comfortable working in a non‑clinical, farm‑based environment
• Reliable, reflective, and grounded in their clinical beliefs

Interview Process

• Virtual interview required
• Second, in‑person interview strongly preferred , which may include:
  • Observation of live sessions
  • Site tour
  • Clinical discussion around session flow and engagement

About Amergis Healthcare Staffing, Inc.-Allied

Amergis, formerly known as Maxim Healthcare Staffing, has connected the nation’s top talent to a variety of healthcare and educational partners since 1988. We achieved a pioneering certification with the Joint Commission in 2008 and have since evolved into one of the foremost staffing companies in the United States. We provide meaningful opportunities to our extensive network of professionals, across health systems, government facilities, or schools. Through partnership and innovation, Amergis creates unmatched staffing experiences to deliver the best workforce solutions. Our commitment to a higher standard of service has fueled our growth, solidifying our nationwide and local presence in healthcare and education.

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