School districts across the country rely on staffing agencies to fill critical therapy and support roles that directly impact student success. As special education needs grow and workforce shortages continue, staffing agencies play an essential role in connecting qualified healthcare professionals with the schools that need them most.
If you are exploring school therapy jobs or want to understand how staffing agencies like Preferred partner with school districts, this guide breaks it all down. We will cover which disciplines are typically staffed, the students those professionals serve, and how agencies support both schools and clinicians throughout the process.
Why Schools Partner With Staffing Agencies
Public and private schools are legally required to provide services outlined in Individualized Education Programs, or IEPs. These services often require highly specialized therapists and clinicians, many of whom are difficult to recruit locally.
Staffing agencies help school districts:
- Fill hard to staff rehab therapy and behavioral roles
- Maintain compliance with special education laws
- Manage fluctuating caseloads and student enrollment
- Reduce administrative and recruiting burdens
- Access a wider national talent pool of clinicians
For professionals seeking school therapy jobs, staffing agencies open doors to opportunities that may not be publicly posted and provide support that goes beyond basic job placement.
Allied Health Disciplines Commonly Staffed in Schools
Staffing agencies typically focus on high demand, school-based allied health roles that directly support special education and student development. Below are the most commonly staffed disciplines in school settings.
Speech Language Pathologists and Speech Language Pathology Assistants
Speech Language Pathologists, often referred to as SLPs, are among the most in demand professionals for school therapy jobs.
They work with students who have:
- Speech sound disorders
- Language delays
- Social communication challenges
- Fluency and voice disorders
- Augmentative and alternative communication needs
SLPs support students from early childhood through high school, helping them build communication skills that impact academic performance, social interaction, and confidence. Speech Language Pathology Assistants work under the supervision of licensed SLPs and are also widely placed by staffing agencies.
Occupational Therapists and Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants
Occupational Therapists, or OTs, focus on helping students participate successfully in their school day. This includes everything from handwriting to sensory regulation.
Common areas of support include:
- Fine motor skills
- Visual motor integration
- Sensory processing
- Self care and daily living skills
- Classroom participation and attention
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants support OT services under supervision and are frequently included in school staffing models. School-based OT roles are especially critical for students with autism, developmental delays, and physical disabilities.
Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants
Though not as commonly found in schools as SLPs and OTs, Physical Therapists are sometimes utilized to help students improve mobility, strength, and physical access to their learning environment.
They can work with students who have:
- Orthopedic impairments
- Neurological conditions
- Developmental delays
- Mobility limitations requiring adaptive equipment
PTs and PTAs can collaborate closely with teachers and special education teams to ensure students can safely and independently navigate classrooms, hallways, and school activities.
School Psychologists and School Social Workers
Through evaluations, counseling, and collaboration with educators and families, School Psychologists and Social Workers help identify emotional and behavioral barriers to learning and implement strategies that promote student success.
Their responsibilities often include:
- Behavioral assessments
- Counseling and crisis intervention
- Supporting positive behavior plans
- Evaluating students for special education eligibility
- Collaborating with families and educators
Due to the increasing mental health needs of students, school psychology jobs are a growing focus for staffing agencies.
Board Certified Behavior Analysts and Behavior Interventionists
A Board Certified Behavior Analyst, commonly known as a BCBA, supports students with significant behavioral challenges, often those on the autism spectrum.
They provide:
- Functional behavior assessments
- Behavior intervention plans
- Staff training and consultation
- Data driven behavior tracking
Behavior analysts are especially important in specialized programs and are frequently staffed through agencies due to limited local availability.
Which Students Do These Professionals Work With?
The professionals taking school therapy assignments serve a wide range of students, most commonly those receiving special education services under an IEP or 504 plan.
Students may have:
- Speech or language impairments
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Developmental delays
- Emotional or behavioral disorders
- Physical or orthopedic disabilities
- Learning disabilities
Rehab therapists and related clinicians work collaboratively with teachers, administrators, and families to support both academic success and functional independence.
The Role of Staffing Agencies
Act as a bridge between schools and qualified professionals, the role of staffing agencies goes far beyond simply filling open positions.
Recruiting and Credentialing Qualified Candidates
Agencies actively recruit licensed and certified professionals with school experience or a strong interest in school-based work. They verify:
- State licensure and certifications
- Educational background
- School readiness and compliance requirements
- Background checks and clearances
This saves school districts significant time and ensures candidates meet all legal and professional standards.
Matching Candidates to the Right School Environment
Not every therapist is a fit for every school. Staffing agencies work to match professionals with:
- Appropriate age groups
- Caseload sizes that align with experience
- District culture and support levels
- Full time, part time, or contract preferences
This personalized matching helps improve job satisfaction and retention for school therapy jobs.
Ongoing Support for Schools and Clinicians
Once a school placement is made, agencies continue to provide support by:
- Offering onboarding and orientation guidance
- Managing contracts and payroll
- Assisting with licensure and renewals
- Serving as a point of contact for both parties
This allows schools to focus on students while clinicians focus on delivering care.
Why Take a School Position Through an Agency?
For rehab therapists and affiliated clinicians, working with a staffing agency offers several advantages:
- Access to a wider range of school therapy jobs
- Support navigating school systems and requirements
- Flexibility in location and assignment length
- Potentially better pay, when considering all factors
- Advocacy and personalized recruiter relationships
Agencies like Preferred Healthcare Staffing specialize in allied health and understand the unique needs of school-based professionals.
If you are looking for a school therapy job (or another school-based position) check our job search for current opportunities or apply now to stay informed of new openings as they arise.