Occupational Therapist - II

Placer County Department of Health and Human Services – Public Health is currently seeking qualified candidates for the classification Occupational Therapist II. This is a Journey level position with employees expected to function independently with responding to routine situations. This recruitment is to fill one permanent full time position and the resulting eligible list maybe used to fill future positions and/or extra help/temporary assignments.

Extra Help/Temporary assignments are not eligible for benefits and limited to working 28 hours per week with a fiscal year cap of 1,000 hours or 960 for CalPERS retired annuitants.

The current vacancy is located in Newcastle, approximately five minutes west of Auburn, California. While the majority of services are provided at the Newcastle clinic, some services are provided at a satellite unit in Roseville.  There are occasional visits to home and schools within Placer County.

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

Occupational Therapist II 
This is the full journey level class within the Occupational Therapist series.  This class is distinguished from the Occupational Therapist I by the assignment of the full range of duties.  Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies within the work unit.  Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the entry level.

Occupational Therapist II
Receives direction from a Supervising Public Health Nurse; may receive technical and functional supervision from other public health nursing staff.

May exercise technical and functional supervision over clerical staff and other occupational therapy staff.

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

• Evaluate, plan and provide occupational therapy for children in a clinic, home or school setting.
• Teach self-care activities emphasizing muscle re-education involving reach, grasp, release, coordination and balance.
• Adapt games, crafts and other activities as therapeutic exercises.
• Instruct children in self-feeding.
• Develop and instruct family and teaching staff regarding feeding programs for children.
• Develop positioning plans for the severely disabled children relative to physical functioning and daily living skills; and work with the staff.
• Observe behavior and progress; assess and evaluate therapy, adjust accordingly.
• Keep clinical notes and records and prepare reports.
• Instruct parents in home follow-up and use of special equipment.
• Cooperate with teaching staff in securing carry-over in therapy and training; and instruct teaching staff regarding care of children's physical disabilities.
• Plan and supervise group activities.
• Work with health and educational authorities and community organizations in integrating State and local programs for children with physical disabilities.
• Organize clinics and participate in conferences, study groups and parent and community meetings.
• Construct and fit hand splints.
• Design, evaluate and/or direct the construction of special equipment.
• Maintain equipment and therapy area.
• Order adaptive equipment and supplies.
• 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.

Occupational Therapist II

Experience:  Two years of responsible occupational therapist experience, including one year in pediatric rehabilitation, performing duties similar to an Occupational Therapist I with Placer County.

Training:  Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in occupational therapy or a related field.

License or Certificate:

• Possession of a valid certificate of registration issued by the American Occupational Therapy Association.
• 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.

 

Occupational Therapist II

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.
• Rules and regulations for operating under California Children's Services Program.
• Policies and procedures of the Health and Medical Services Department, especially as related to the Public Health Nursing Division.

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.
• On an intermittent basis, sit at desk for long periods of time while preparing reports; intermittently walk, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel, twist 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 grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone and write or use a keyboard to communicate through written means; see with sufficient visual acuity to observe patient's physical skills; and lift very heavy weight.
• Teach disabled children the fundamentals of self-care and other suitable activities.
• Develop positioning programs for the severely handicapped.
• Teach and explain occupational therapy to children, parents, teachers and other professionals.
• 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; and impart instructional information to patients, family 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.
• Independently perform occupational therapy assessment, provide therapy and instruct patients and those who closely interact with patients.

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.

Prior to the date of hire, applicants for regular full and part-time positions must pass a medical examination which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation. Applicants for extra help positions may be subject to a drug screening. All applicants must sign a constitutional oath, submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S. and be fingerprinted. For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, be bonded or undergo a background check.

All new permanent employees, with the exception of sworn law enforcement and management, shall be required to join the employee organization or pay an 'Agency Fee' as a condition of employment.

The eligible list(s) 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) 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.

Placer County now 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 visit our website at: http://www.jobaps.com/placer/sup/abfreenames.asp.

Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that harassment and retaliation is prohibited and that all employees and applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All recruitment, hiring, transfer and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of sex, sexual orientation, race, color, ancestry, religious creed, national origin, physical disability (Including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over), marital status, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, or any other classification protected by federal, state or local laws or ordinance. Please contact the Personnel 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.

The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change.  It is advisable that applicants inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Personnel Department.

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