Occupational Therapist - I

Job Description:

Occupational Therapist - I

Description

Introduction

To learn more about working as an Occupational Therapist in the Medical Therapy Unit of Placer County's Health and Human Services Department, please click on the "Day in the Life" video below:

Meet HHS: Karen (Public Health) on Vimeo

POSITION INFORMATION

This recruitment is open until filled. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. Applications will be screened on a bi-weekly basis.

The Public Health division of the Department of Health and Human Services is accepting applications for the position of Occupational Therapist - I.

The current vacancy is for a Permanent Part-Time or Temporary/Extra Help schedule. Temporary/extra help assignments are limited to working 28 hours per week with a cap of 999 hours or 960 hours for CalPERS retired annuitants in a fiscal year and are not eligible for benefits. Extra-help appointments made from this eligible list may transition to permanent status, should vacancies arise.

The resulting eligible list may be used to fill future permanent part-time positions and/or extra help/temporary assignments.

This assignment is in Newcastle and may also require working from Roseville with occasional home visits in Placer County.

To participate in the recruitment at the I level, II level or both levels, you must complete and submit separate applications and supplemental questionnaires for each recruitment:

Occupational Therapist - I: 2025-14317-01

Occupational Therapist - II: 2025-14319-01

Employees who are designated to use a second language in the normal course and scope of work will receive five percent (5%) bilingual pay.

BENEFITS

Placer County offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees. The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change. Applicants should inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department.

Click here to view Placer Public Employees Organization (PPEO) benefits.

For more information regarding the benefits Placer County has to offer, please visit Placer County's Human Resources website.

DEFINITION

To plan and perform professional occupational therapy for children who are neurologically and/or orthopedically disabled due to cerebral palsy, myelomeningocele, amputations, arthritis, or similar conditions.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the entry level class in the Occupational Therapist series. This class is distinguished from the journey level by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within this series. Employees at this level are not expected to perform with the same independence of direction and judgement on matters allocated to the journey level. Since this class is typically used as a training class, employees may have only limited or no directly related work experience. Employees work under general supervision while learning job tasks.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general supervision from the Supervising Physical/Occupational Therapist.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Evaluate functional capabilities of children using appropriate assessment tools; establish occupational goals and plan of service.
• Administer occupational therapy care to children; observe behavior and progress; assess and evaluate therapy; adjust therapy as needed; maintain clinical notes and records; prepare related reports.
• Teach self-care activities to children emphasizing muscle re-education involving reach, grasp, release, coordination, and balance; help them learn to feed themselves.
• Adapt games, crafts, and other activities as therapeutic exercises.
• Develop and instruct caregivers on feeding programs for children.
• Develop positioning plans for severely disabled children relative to physical functioning and daily living skills; collaborate with physical therapists on shared clients to facilitate a comprehensive team approach to therapeutic services.
• Visit the child’s home to evaluate home environment for accessibility; provide instruction to caregivers on the use of special equipment at home.
• Plan and supervise group activities.
• Work with community organizations and health and educational authorities in integrating state and local programs for children with physical disabilities; organize clinics and participate in conferences, study groups, and caregiver and community meetings.
• Design, evaluate, and/or direct the construction of special equipment; construct and fit hand splints; order adaptive equipment and supplies; maintain equipment and therapy area.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with patients, co-workers, other County employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is typically performed in both an indoor office and medical treatment environment with controlled temperature conditions and out in the field, requiring travel to various homes and locations in a variety of outdoor weather conditions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: No experience is required.
Training: Graduation from an accredited college of occupational therapy.


Required License or Certificate:

• Registration with the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. and a current valid license as an Occupational Therapist issued by the California Board of Occupational Therapy.
• May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position. Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Principles and methods of occupational therapy.
  
• Theory of mental and physical rehabilitation.
  
• Skeletal anatomy and kinesiology.
  
• Basic pathology and neurology involved in cerebral palsy and other disabling conditions such as myelomeningocele, amputations and arthritis, relative to the objectives of occupational therapy.
  
• Principles of growth and development of children.
  
• Physical and psychological problems of physically disabled children and their families.
  
• Design, use, and care of special equipment and toys including those suitable for construction at home.
  
• English usage, spelling, punctuation, and grammar; arithmetic and basic mathematical calculations.
  

Ability to:

• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; intermittently analyze work papers, reports, and special projects; identify and interpret technical and numerical information; observe and problem solve operational and technical policies and procedures; teach and explain occupational therapy to children, caregivers, teachers, and other professionals.
• On an intermittent basis, sit at a desk for long periods of time while preparing reports; continuously walk, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel, twist, stoop, crouch, crawl, balance, feel, and reach while assisting patients in moving to and from therapy area and in providing therapy and instructional activities. Intermittently twist to reach equipment surrounding desk; perform simple and power grasping, pushing, pulling, and fine manipulation; use telephone and write or use a keyboard to communicate; see with sufficient visual acuity to observe patient's physical skills; hear with sufficient acuity to be aware of a patient’s audible responses to treatment and ensure equipment is functioning properly; lift very heavy weight.
• Teach disabled children the fundamentals of self-care and other suitable activities.
• Develop positioning programs for the severely handicapped.
• Prepare reports and keep records of case histories.
• Use equipment and supplies utilized in occupational therapy; evaluate and/or design special equipment; construct simple hand splints.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Obtain information through interviews; deal fairly and courteously with the public; impart instructional information to patients, family, caregivers, and teachers.
• Analyze situations quickly and objectively and determine proper course of action.
• Use general office machines and technology.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

SELECTION PROCEDURE

Training & Experience Rating (100%)

Based upon responses to the supplemental questionnaire, the applicant’s education, training, and experience will be evaluated using a pre-determined formula. Scores from this evaluation will determine applicant ranking and placement on the eligible list.

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

Length of Probation:

All permanent appointments to this classification shall serve a probationary period of twelve (12) calendar months or two thousand eighty (2,080) hours, whichever is more.

Bargaining Unit:

Professional

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT

Prior to the date of hire, applicants must undergo a fingerprint test by the Department of Justice, pass a medical examination (which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation), sign a constitutional oath, and submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S. For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, undergo a background investigation (which may include a credit check, voice stress analysis, and/or a polygraph), and/or be bonded. Additionally, positions in law enforcement classifications and those supporting law enforcement functions will be required to complete a conviction history questionnaire prior to or during the interview process. Applicants for positions with access to Medi-Cal billing software or who are licensed providers must clear the Federal Exclusion List, credentialing, and social security verification. Failure to clear these requirements may result in an employment offer being withdrawn.

SUBSTITUTE LISTS

The eligible list resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification. For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey level) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

EMPLOYEES OF OTHER PUBLIC AGENCIES

Placer County offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process. For more information on the Public Agency Eligible List, to download forms, or to apply, please click here.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that unlawful harassment, discrimination, and retaliation are prohibited and that all employees, applicants, agents, contractors, and interns/volunteers shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, transfer, and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of the following characteristics: gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, race (including traits associated with race, which include, but are not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, ancestry, religion (including creed and belief), national origin, citizenship, primary language, immigration status, physical disability (Including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over), marital status, military and/or veteran status, sex (including parental status, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), reproductive health decision making, the person’s use of cannabis off the job and away from the workplace, political orientation, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law or any combination of two or more characteristics stated herein. Please contact the Human Resources Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.

Conclusion

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Janine Martindale, Administrative Technician, at jmartind@placer.ca.gov or by phone at (530) 889-4083.

Closing Date/Time: Open Until Filled

Salary:

$42.98 - $53.66/hour; $7,449.87 - $9,301.07/month; $89,398.40 - $111,612.80/year