Occupational Therapist - Community Behavioral Health

Sound•Seattle, WA

5d•$40 - $45•Onsite

About The Position

Sound Behavioral Health is hiring an occupational therapist to provide medically necessary, client-centered, evidence-informed occupational therapy services to adults age 21 and older with behavioral health conditions. The role is part of a team-based, integrated care model aligned with Washington State Medicaid benefits and the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) model. Services support recovery, independence, occupational performance, and meaningful participation in daily life roles and activities. The occupational therapist works collaboratively with behavioral health, medical, and social service providers to deliver whole-person care, with an emphasis on access, coordination, and measurable clinical outcomes. The position is based across Sound’s Lake City Way and Fremont locations in Seattle and requires frequent driving. The schedule is 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, with flexible scheduling. The role requires a master’s or doctoral degree from an ACOTE-accredited occupational therapy program, including Level II Fieldwork, and a current Washington occupational therapist license or qualifying limited permit. Candidates must also hold current NBCOT certification or active exam candidacy consistent with limited permit status, and have a valid Washington driver’s license, reliable transportation, and ability to travel between sites and community locations. Two or more years of relevant occupational therapy experience is preferred, as is experience with serious mental illness, substance use disorders, Medicaid-funded programs, CCBHCs, or integrated healthcare environments. Compensation is $40.00–$45.00 per hour, with a $5,000 signing bonus. Benefits for team members working 40 hours per week include medical, dental, and vision insurance; life and long-term disability insurance; retirement contributions and a 401(k) plan; health savings and flexible spending accounts; an employee assistance plan; paid vacation, holidays, sick leave, and bereavement leave; free parking; and professional training support.

Requirements

Master’s or doctoral degree from an ACOTE-accredited occupational therapy program, including completion of Level II Fieldwork.
Current Occupational Therapist license in Washington State, or a current Washington OT limited permit held in association with a supervising Washington-licensed OT with at least one year of experience, consistent with WAC 246-847-135.
Current NBCOT certification or active NBCOT exam candidacy, such as a valid Authorization to Test, consistent with Washington OT limited permit status.
Valid Washington State driver’s license, reliable transportation, and ability to travel between program sites and community locations as required.
Ability to pass required background checks and maintain compliance with agency and funding-source requirements.
Knowledge of occupational therapy principles, evidence-based practices, behavioral health, integrated care models, and the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework (OTPF-4).
Knowledge of sensory processing and sensory modulation approaches and their application to behavioral health and emotional regulation.
Ability to analyze activity demands and adapt tasks, materials, and environments to client abilities and skill-development needs.
Knowledge of ADLs, IADLs, executive functioning, community integration, recovery-oriented care, and trauma-informed practices.
Ability to conduct evaluations, develop care plans, and provide skilled interventions that support functional outcomes.
Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams and educate clients, caregivers, and team members on therapeutic strategies and wellness practices.
Ability to maintain accurate, timely documentation that meets Medicaid, CCBHC, and regulatory requirements.
Strong verbal and written communication, clinical decision-making, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Proficiency with electronic health records and other technology required for essential job functions.
Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, maintain professional boundaries, and uphold ethical and confidentiality standards.
Ability to select, administer, and interpret standardized, valid, and reliable assessment tools appropriate to behavioral health populations.
Knowledge of supervision requirements for COTAs and occupational therapy fieldwork students, and ability to provide clinical supervision in accordance with AOTA, ACOTE, and Washington State regulations.
Knowledge of and adherence to the AOTA Code of Ethics and the Washington State Occupational Therapy Practice Act.
Ability to meet sensory, physical, and mental requirements of the position, including mobility across office, clinic, home, and community settings; occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling of up to 10–25 pounds; regular and predictable attendance; and effective response to client needs and crisis situations.

Nice To Haves

Two or more years of occupational therapy experience in inpatient mental health, behavioral health, community mental health, integrated care, primary care, or outpatient settings.
Experience serving individuals with serious mental illness, substance use disorders, intellectual or developmental disabilities, or complex medical and behavioral health needs.
Experience working within Medicaid-funded programs, Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs), or integrated healthcare environments.

Responsibilities

Conduct comprehensive occupational therapy evaluations, including occupational profiles and standardized assessments, to identify functional deficits and treatment needs.
Develop individualized plans of care with clients, including measurable goals tied to functional outcomes.
Analyze activity demands and grade or adapt tasks, materials, and environments to support client function, skill acquisition, and engagement.
Provide skilled interventions addressing ADLs, IADLs, sensory modulation, rest and sleep, leisure, productive roles, executive functioning, health management, social participation, and community integration.
Reassess client progress and adjust interventions as needed.
Plan and facilitate individual and group occupation-based interventions grounded in evidence-based practice.
Recommend environmental modifications, adaptive equipment, and compensatory strategies to support safety, independence, and occupational performance.
Recognize signs of escalation, decompensation, or safety risk and participate in safety planning and crisis response within the scope of occupational therapy practice.
Maintain an assigned clinical caseload and provide direct, billable occupational therapy services consistent with agency productivity and clinical standards.
Contribute occupational therapy expertise to team intervention planning and care decisions; collaborate with behavioral health clinicians, medical practitioners, and care coordinators.
Participate in case conferences, multidisciplinary team meetings, and care huddles; support integrated care planning and coordination across care levels and community settings.
Complete timely, accurate documentation supporting medical necessity, skilled need, functional outcomes, Medicaid and CCBHC requirements, and audit readiness.
Use standardized outcome measures and functional assessments to demonstrate clinical progress and continued need for services.
Educate clients and caregivers on functional improvement, whole health, wellness, and strategies for sustainable habits and routines.
Reinforce client skills across home, clinic, and community settings.
Serve as a fieldwork educator and clinical resource for Level I and Level II occupational therapy students, and provide clinical oversight for COTAs as assigned.
Maintain current evidence-based practice knowledge and continuing competence consistent with NBCOT and Washington State licensure requirements.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Build collaborative relationships across departments and contribute to a respectful, inclusive work environment through cultural humility, equity, and support for belonging.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance; Sound pays 100% of premiums for team member and child coverage to age 26, depending on the plan selected. Spouse or domestic partner coverage is available at the team member’s cost.
Life insurance equal to two times annual salary plus an additional $25,000, paid by Sound.
Long-term disability insurance covering 60% of monthly salary, paid by Sound.
Retirement plan contribution of 3% from Sound, with the team member 100% vested.
401(k) plan with pre-tax and/or Roth contributions available to team members.
Health Savings Account contribution of $1,133.33 for individual coverage or $2,266.67 for family coverage for eligible team members, prorated for new hires in the first year.
Flexible Spending Accounts for health care and dependent day care costs.
Employee Assistance Plan (EAP).
18 vacation days per year, increasing with years of service.
9 holidays per year.
12 sick leave days per year.
Bereavement leave for death in the family.
Free parking at all Sound sites.
Free in-house professional training and $400 annually plus three paid days for approved off-site training.
$5,000 signing bonus.
Service awards at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 years of service.