Occupational Therapist - Community Behavioral Health

Sound•Seattle, WA

10d•$40 - $45•Hybrid

About The Position

Sound Behavioral Health is seeking an occupational therapist in Seattle, WA, to provide medically necessary client-centered, evidence-informed occupational therapy services to individuals with behavioral health conditions within a team-based, integrated care model. Services are designed to support recovery, independence, and meaningful participation in daily life by supporting occupational performance and engagement across daily life roles and activities. The occupational therapist will work as part of an interdisciplinary care team, collaborating closely with behavioral health, medical, and social service providers to deliver whole-person care. Services are aligned with Washington State Medicaid benefits and the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) model, emphasizing access, coordination, and measurable clinical outcomes. This position supports adults who are 21 years old or older.

Requirements

Master's or Doctoral degree from an ACOTE-accredited occupational therapy program, including completion of Level II Fieldwork.
Current Occupational Therapist (OT) license in the State of Washington, or a current Washington OT limited permit held in association with a supervising OT licensed in Washington with a minimum of one year of experience, in accordance with WAC 246-847-135.
Current certification through the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT), or active NBCOT exam candidacy (e.g., 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, if required.
Ability to pass required background checks and maintain compliance with agency and funding source requirements.
Speaking, hearing (with or without aid), near vision (with or without aid), far vision (with or without aid), depth perception, peripheral vision, touch, and balance sufficient to perform the essential functions of the position.
Ability to observe, assess, and respond appropriately to client behaviors, physical functioning, and environmental safety concerns.
Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, reach, stoop, kneel, and move throughout office, clinic, home, and community-based environments.
Ability to use hands and fingers for keyboarding, writing, handling therapy materials, and operating standard office equipment.
Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 10-25 pounds occasionally.
Ability to travel between agency locations and community settings as required.
Ability to maintain regular and predictable attendance.
Ability to maintain concentration, exercise sound clinical judgment, and make decisions in a fast-paced healthcare environment.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, adapt to changing circumstances, and meet deadlines while maintaining attention to detail.
Ability to effectively interact with individuals experiencing behavioral health, cognitive, emotional, and physical health challenges.
Ability to maintain professional boundaries, handle confidential information, and respond appropriately in crisis or high-stress situations.
Knowledge of occupational therapy principles, evidence-based practices, behavioral health, and integrated care models.
Knowledge of the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework (OTPF-4) and its application to occupational performance, performance skills, performance patterns, client factors, and contexts and environments.
Knowledge of sensory processing and sensory modulation approaches and their application to behavioral health and emotional regulation.
Ability to analyze activity demands and grade or adapt tasks, materials, and environments to match client abilities and support skill development.
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 to support integrated care and treatment planning.
Skill in educating 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 to perform 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.

Nice To Haves

Two (2) or more years of experience providing occupational therapy services in inpatient mental health, behavioral health, community mental health, integrated care, primary care, or outpatient settings.
Experience serving individuals with serious mental illness (SMI), substance use disorders, intellectual/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 an occupational profile to identify the client’s occupational history, roles, values, interests, and priorities, using standardized, valid, and reliable assessment tools to evaluate performance skills, performance patterns, client factors, and contextual and environmental influences on occupational performance, identifying functional deficits and treatment needs.
Develop individualized plans of care in collaboration with the client, with measurable goals tied to functional outcomes.
Analyze activity demands and grade or adapt tasks, materials, and environments to match the client’s current level of function, providing the appropriate level of challenge to support skill acquisition and engagement.
Deliver skilled therapeutic interventions to improve or restore functioning, including: Activities of daily living (ADLs), Instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), Sensory modulation and sensory processing strategies to support emotional regulation, self-management, and de-escalation, Rest and sleep participation, Leisure exploration and participation, Work, volunteer, and productive role participation, Executive functioning, organization, and routines, Health management and wellness, Social participation and community integration.
Reassess progress and adjust interventions to ensure ongoing effectiveness of services.
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 risk to safety, and participate in safety planning and crisis response within the scope of OT practice.
Maintain an assigned clinical caseload and deliver direct, billable occupational therapy services in accordance with agency productivity and clinical standards.
Actively participate in team-based care, contributing OT expertise to shared intervention planning and care decisions.
Collaborate with behavioral health clinicians, medical practitioners, and care coordinators to ensure services are clinically appropriate within the overall care plan.
Participate in case conferences, multidisciplinary team meetings, and care huddles.
Support integrated care planning that aligns occupation-based OT interventions with the team’s broader treatment goals.
Facilitate care coordination and transitions across levels of care and community settings.
Complete timely, accurate documentation that clearly establishes and supports medical necessity, skilled need, and functional outcomes.
Ensure documentation meets Medicaid, CCBHC, and agency standards for reimbursement and audit readiness.
Utilize standardized outcome measures and functional assessments to demonstrate clinical progress and continued need for services.
Educate clients and caregivers on strategies that support functional improvement, and whole health and total wellness.
Promote the development of sustainable habits and routines that support health, wellbeing, and occupational engagement.
Reinforce skills across settings, including home, clinic, and community.
Serve as fieldwork educator and clinical resource for Level I and Level II occupational therapy students and provide clinical oversight for Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTAs), as assigned, in accordance with AOTA, ACOTE, and the Washington State Occupational Therapy Practice Act.
Maintain current evidence-based practice knowledge and continuing competence consistent with NBCOT and Washington State OT licensure requirements.
Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance: Premium 100% paid by Sound for team member and child coverage to age 26, depending on plan selected. Spouse/Domestic Partner coverage available at team member’s cost.
Life Insurance (2x annual salary + additional $25,000): paid by Sound
Long Term Disability Insurance (60% monthly salary): paid by Sound
Retirement Plan: Sound contributes 3% to team member’s plan; team member is 100% vested.
Retirement Plan - 401(k) Plan, pre-tax and/or Roth: team member may contribute to their own plan.
Health Savings Account: Sound contributes $1,133.33 (individual) or $2,266.67 (family) for eligible team members, pro-rated for new hires in first year.
Flexible Spending Accounts: for health care and dependent day care costs (pre-tax)
EAP: Employee Assistance Plan
Vacation: 18 days per year, increasing with years of service
Holidays: 9 days per year
Sick Leave: 12 days per year
Bereavement Leave: for death in the family
Parking: Free at all Sound sites
Training: Free in-house professional training and $400 annually + 3 paid days off-site training
Service Award: at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 & 40 years of service