Occupational Therapist

Description

Job Summary:

The Occupational Therapist provides home and community-based services (in natural learning environments) for children ages 0-3 with developmental disability and their families. Children served are Central Valley Regional Center (CVRC) clients and are enrolled in EPU’s early intervention program Engage. Play. Inspire. Connect. (EPIC). The Occupational Therapist evaluates individual child’s abilities, needs and strengths related to sensory, feeding, and behavioral challenges; formulates treatment plans, and provides coaching and consultation on strategies focused on promoting function and engagement in daily activities and routines. The Occupational Therapist works collaboratively with the family and functions as a supportive member of a transdisciplinary team to best meet the needs of the children and families who are receiving early intervention services through EPIC.

Essential Functions:

• Provide occupational therapy consultation, coaching, and evaluation related to sensory, motor and feeding delays.
• In partnership with the Early Childhood Specialist (ECS) and family, design individualized goals and objectives that are developmentally appropriate, functional in nature, and related to the on-going routines of the natural environments for the child and his/her family.
• Consult with the intervention team regarding sensory, motor and feeding needs for families served to ensure implemented strategies are consistent for the family and child with best practices.
• Establish an ongoing alliance with families. Monitor progress regularly using the HELP assessment and inform, educate and support implementation of strategies that enhance child’s sensory, motor and feeding skills.
• Incorporate concepts of play as context, method and an outcome for learning. 
• Practice collaboration by ensuring transdisciplinary services target shared outcomes and actively listen to staff and families to learn what is important to them and contribute to the development of intervention strategies to meet children’s and families’ individualized needs and priorities.
• Provide written reports with recommendations for EPU staff, physicians and Central Valley Regional Center (CVRC) staff as needed.
• Write letters of recommendation to physicians or therapists outside of EPU when needed.
• At minimum, on a monthly basis, visit families and support EPIC staff, located in Merced, CA.
• Seek understanding in the individual nature of child/family learning styles and adapt developmentally appropriate intervention strategies to better meet child/family individual needs, priorities and context.
• Complete an accurate data entry for services rendered in the Apricot 360 system daily.
• Provide education and training to EPU staff, families and community to promote transdisciplinary thinking and collaboration.
• Must meet 50-60% productivity expectations based on FTE allocation.
• Collaborate with community agencies to ensure appropriate referrals or service delivery needed for child/family is achieved.
• Work collaboratively and consult with other staff that provide specialty services to ensure recommended strategies can be integrated and promote transdisciplinary approach and thinking in the service with families.
• Foster strong collaboration, clear and consistent communication with the early intervention team that are assigned to the infants/toddlers on caseload.
• Maintain referral list and coordinate consultation/evaluation schedules.
• Stay up to date with the latest research and best practices in Occupational Therapy, early intervention, and related field practices.
• Attending staff meetings, case conferences, trainings and in-services.
• Maintain, manage, and process client records and information in a confidential manner that meets HIPAA and other applicable confidentiality regulations.
• Adhere to EPU standards, policies and procedures.
• Standard operating hours of the EPU facility are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm. Position may require variation of hours depending upon family needs, availability and department and position requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Early Childhood Services, Sr. Program Manager of Early Intervention, Assistant Manager of Early Intervention or the President/ CEO of EPU.

Requirements

Knowledge, Skill and Experience:

Education: Must have a master’s degree in the specialized field from an accredited educational program. Maintains a current professional license issued by the California Board of Occupational Therapy. 

Skills: Must have strong communication skills both written and verbal, able to make independent decisions within guidelines, accept responsibility, demonstrate active listening skills, be dependable, reliable, highly motivated, use time management skills, comply with the professional code of ethics and professional demeanor, must be adaptable, use good judgement, and logic skills. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to effectively collaborate with families, caregivers, and other professionals. Understand parallel process and use coaching as an intervention strategy to promote parent confidence and competence in meeting the child’s needs. Have a passion for working with young children and their families, and a commitment to providing high quality care.

Experience:

• 3 years’ work experience in pediatric occupational therapy. 
• Must be experienced working as part of a transdisciplinary team, competent in consultation, writing reports and making recommendations for equipment and therapy needs outside of EPU.
• Computer literate, knowledge of Microsoft Office products. Knowledge of Apricot 360 is a plus but not required.
• Must hold a valid California Driver's license and good driving record with no serious violations for the previous two-year period and be able to provide proof of current automobile liability insurance.
• Experience in early intervention and sensory integration is a plus.
• Certification in Infant Message Therapy is a plus.
• Bi-lingual in Spanish/Hmong or bicultural is a plus but not required.

Physical Demands:

Typical Working Condition: Staff are required to visit families in their homes. EPU does not have control over the location and condition of all the environments staff may be exposed. 

Equipment Used: Personal vehicle for local travel to attend meetings in the local area, computers, printers, telephones, and fax machines.

Essential Physical Tasks: Working with children and their families requires the ability to sit on floors, reach, twist, turn, kneel, stand, stoop, crawl, lift, carry, push and pull.

Salary : $85,000 - $96,000