Occupational Therapist - 03192024-56023

Job Information

Opening Date/Time03/19/2024 12:00AM Central TimeClosing Date/Time04/01/2024 11:59PM Central TimeSalary (Monthly)$4,975.00Salary (Annually)$59,700.00Job TypeFull-TimeCity, State LocationArlington, TNDepartmentIntellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD)State of Tennessee Job Information

LOCATION OF (1) POSITION TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF INTELLECTUAL & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, ADMINISTRATION DIVISION, SHELBY COUNTY

This position requires a criminal background check. Therefore, you may be required to provide information about your criminal history in order to be considered for this position.

This position may be eligible for a hybrid work schedule.

Qualifications

Education and Experience: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in occupational therapy; successful completion of the career mobility requirements established by the American Occupational Therapy Association may be substituted for the required degree.

Necessary Special Qualifications: Certified or temporarily permitted to practice as a Registered Occupational Therapist by the Board of Occupational Therapy.

Examination Method: Education and Experience,100%, for Preferred Service positions.

Summary

Summary: Under general supervision, is responsible for professional occupational therapy work of average difficulty and supervisory work of routine difficulty; and performs related work as required.

Distinguishing Features: This is the entry-working class in the Occ Therapist sub-series.

An employee in the class is responsible for professional-level occupational therapy work and directs occupational treatment programs involving the use of purposeful activities for individuals who are limited by physical illness or injury, psychosocial dysfunction, developmental or learning disabilities, environmental deprivation, or the aging process. This class differs from Occ Therapy Director in that an incumbent of the latter directs all professional and paraprofessional occupational therapy personnel at a facility or agency.

Responsibilities

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings:

Monitors how caregivers are implementing programs to see if anything needs to be modified or if staff needs additional training.

Monitors effectiveness of occupational therapy programs to determine if anything needs to be modified.

Monitors how persons served perform tasks to make sure that they can perform them safely and to increase their independence.

Serves as a member of an interdisciplinary therapy team to monitor individual-specific therapy programs and make recommendations regarding their effectiveness.

Monitors the environment of persons served to make sure that it optimizes their safety, health, and independence.

Monitors use of equipment to make sure that it is being used safely.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others:

Explains assessment results, medical terminology, and plans of care to provide clarity and understanding in a manner appropriate for the individuals served as well as families/caregivers and other professionals.

Develops instructions for staff/caregivers as it relates to their plans of care.

Instructs paraprofessional staff on how to implement plans of care.

Training and Teaching Others:

Develops formal educational or training programs within scope of practice.

Identifies the educational needs of others.

Implements trainings for other staff.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People:

Assesses skills, barriers, and health and safety needs of persons served and/or staff to determine the need for interventions related to occupational performance to maintain or improve quality of life.

Assesses the clinical performance of paraprofessional staff.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work:

Organizes and prioritizes personal workload and the workloads of paraprofessional staff to ensure timely and accurate completion of work.

Delegates tasks to paraprofessional staff to ensure that work is completed efficiently, accurately, and timely.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge:

Maintains professional credentials required to perform job duties.

Attends conferences, in-service training, continuing education meetings, and other related meetings to stay up-to-date in the occupational therapy field as required.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information:

Estimates the amount of space that will be needed to add a piece of equipment to a designated area.

Estimates the time and number of appointments it will take to provide persons served with the services and/or equipment they need.

Performing Administrative Activities:

Enters time worked and leave/overtime requests into Time and Labor database as required.

Files documents as necessary.

Thinking Creatively:

Develops, designs, creates, or alters equipment, treatments, or programs to assist in achieving optimal person-centered outcomes.

Processing Information:

Administers general and/or specialized assessments related to occupational performance as established by best practice to determine the need for intervention.

Documenting/Recording Information:

Documents assessments and evaluations completed and services provided to meet professional, facility, state, and federal guidelines.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events:

Identifies changes in health status and/or behavior so that modifications to the environment, circumstances, or interventions can be made.

Analyzing Data or Information:

Analyzes data collected during individual-specific assessments to determine the most appropriate intervention(s) for each person served.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material:

Evaluates equipment, structures, and materials to identify potential problems or defects, and to determine their effectiveness and the need to modify or replace equipment.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems:

Develops individual treatment strategies to promote optimal performance in activities of daily living, work, and leisure.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization:

Communicates effectively with families, conservators, advocates, vendors, and others outside the department in person and through phone calls, e-mails, and written communications.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates:

Communicates effectively with planning team/Circle of Support in person and through phone calls, e-mails, and written communications.

Getting Information:

Gathers information from persons served, caregivers, families, medical charts, other therapists and medical professionals, and by direct observation for assessment, screening, monitoring, intervention, and comprehensive evaluation purposes.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards:

Evaluates occupational therapy interventions to ensure compliance with professional, facility, state, and federal guidelines.

Developing Objectives and Strategies:

Uses a person-centered approach to establish the plan of care to facilitate completion of outcomes and actions by the individual.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others:

Develops strategies for conflict resolution while maintaining a respectful workplace/environment to achieve optimal outcomes.

Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment:

Provides instructions for fabrication and use of assistive technology equipment and devices.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates:

Provides guidance and direction to paraprofessional staff, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others:

Provides guidance and expert advice to management and others on technical, systems, or process-related topics.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships:

Develops and maintains professional working relationships with internal and external business partners.

Handling and Moving Objects:

Uses hands and arms to perform assessments, move equipment and materials, and transfer persons served.

Assisting and Caring for Others:

Provides personal assistance and/or support to persons served, and family members/caregivers.

Performing General Physical Activities:

Lifts, carries, balances, stoops, and walks while performing job duties.

Developing and Building Teams:

Models effective performance for co-workers and paraprofessional and direct care staff to encourage success and enhance trust.

Controlling Machines and Processes:

Utilizes assistive technology to improve independence, health, and safety of persons served.

Scheduling Work and Activities:

Collaborates with other team members to establish schedules and may be responsible for scheduling the work of other staff for coordination of care.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public:

Works directly with the public for the purpose of networking, community re-entry/integration, rehabilitation, community education, and program development.

Interacting With Computers:

Uses office productivity software to complete job duties.

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, of Equipment:

Operates a state motor vehicle to transport self and/or persons served to appointments, trainings, and outings, or to move equipment from one location to another.

Competencies

Competencies:

Problem Solving

Written Communications

Planning

Learning on the Fly

Perseverance

Presentation Skills

Motivating Others

Conflict Management

Compassion

Knowledge:

Intermediate knowledge of occupational therapy principles and methods

Intermediate knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for employment counseling

Basic knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation

Basic clerical knowledge of word processing, forms design, electronic communications such as e-mail, and file management

Skills:

Intermediate active learning skills to provide optimal care

Intermediate critical thinking skills to identify the strengths and weaknesses of possible solutions, develop treatments, create effective training programs, and provide optimal care

Intermediate complex problem solving skills to identify and resolve health and safety barriers as they relate to occupational performance

Intermediate reading comprehension skills to provide optimal care

Intermediate active listening skills to provide optimal care

Intermediate writing skills to communicate information and ideas so that others will understand

Intermediate speaking skills to convey occupational therapy information effectively so that others will understand

Intermediate instruction skills to promote optimal performance of activities of daily living, work, and leisure, and to provide effective communication

Basic social perceptiveness skills to be sensitive to the reactions of others

Intermediate negotiation skills using a person-centered approach to bring others together and reconcile differences to promote optimal care

Intermediate systems analysis skills to determine the benefits and consequences of various options and to provide technical assistance to provider agencies and others to maximize health and safety of persons served

Intermediate technology skills to design, generate, or adapt equipment to maximize occupational performance of persons served

Intermediate equipment selection skills to increase independence and promote safety for persons served

Basic time management skills to effectively provide services

Basic equipment maintenance skills to identify the need for and facilitation of maintenance completion

Abilities:

Fluency of Ideas

Inductive Reasoning

Oral Comprehension

Speech Recognition

Speech Clarity

Near Vision

Gross Body Coordination

Gross Body Equilibrium

Depth Perception

Peripheral Vision

Spatial Orientation

Trunk Strength

Static Strength

Extent Flexibility

Tools & Equipment

Computer

State Vehicle

Digital camera

Basic hand tools, such as screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches

Goniometer

Angle Finder

Telephone

Laminator

Color Printer

Utility Knife

CTX Machine

Tape Measure