Occupational Therapist

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Austin, TX

10d • Onsite

About The Position

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage.

Would you thrive in an environment where you learn and grow personally and professionally all while helping make a positive impact on people’s lives? Do you appreciate being around others like yourself who are dependable, trustworthy, hard workers who believe in the value of teamwork? HSCS is dedicated to building an atmosphere where employees feel valued and supported while providing specialized care for Texans in need. HSCS is comprised of nine psychiatric hospitals, one youth residential treatment facility, and thirteen state supported living centers. The psychiatric hospitals are a hub of excellence for forensic mental health and complex psychiatric care, with all facilities accredited by The Joint Commission. They provide state-of-the-art treatment that is recovery-oriented and science-based. If providing hope and healing through compassionate, innovative, and individualized care interests you, we welcome your application for the position below.

The Registered Therapist V (Occupational Therapist) performs highly advanced (senior level) therapeutic rehabilitation work. Responsibilities include planning and overseeing therapeutic activities, assessing the needs of patients, and developing, and administering programs to meet patient’s needs; assessing and documenting progress of the individual patient and/or patient groups; providing clinical occupational therapy services; training others related to OT services, plans of care for patients, and specific tasks needed to support treatment. Plans, assigns, and clinically supervises the work of others as required, to include Registered Therapist Assistants (Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants/COTAs). Works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Requirements

• Knowledge of the principles and techniques of rehabilitation therapy in working with the following patient populations: mentally ill, cognitively impaired (TBI, learning disabled, Alzheimer's, dementia), physically challenged, functionally impaired, and /or with infectious disease.
• Knowledge of occupational therapy discipline
• Knowledge of approved methods of facilitating, instructing, interacting, and supervising patients
• Knowledge of behavior modification techniques
• Knowledge of recovery/trauma-informed care (TIC)
• Knowledge of an electronic medical record system
• Knowledge of department policies and procedures
• Knowledge of health, safety, infection control, and quality improvement
• Skills in the application and use of tools, orthopedic equipment, materials, or skills common to the occupational therapy
• Skills in the evaluation, treatment planning, and documentation of patient progress
• Skills in the use of computers and applicable software
• Ability to plan, develop, implement, and facilitate treatment focused therapy groups or one to one treatment.
• Ability to coordinate program activities.
• Ability to motivate and sustain patients’ interest in rehabilitation groups and activities.
• Ability to observe, evaluate, communicate, and document patient progress.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to interact with staff and patients effectively.
• Ability to train, instruct, and supervise the work of others.
• Must possess a valid Texas driver license or obtain it no later than 90 days after hire date to drive a state vehicle. Applicants with an out-of-state driver license must provide an original certified driving record from the state of driving licensure. Eligible driving record required based on HHSC Fleet Management policy.
• Currently licensed as an Occupational Therapist in the State of Texas.
• Related psychiatric patient or therapy training or five years of experience in a psychiatric setting and /or with special populations.
• Five years of experience providing occupational therapy services to Children and/or Adolescents and/or Adults and/or Senior Adults.

Responsibilities

• Attends work on a regular basis and may be asked to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.
• Develops Plans of Care, implements therapeutic rehabilitative treatment (e.g., therapy groups and one to one treatment). Provides feedback through formal (documentation, reports) and informal (verbal, observations) to treatment teams as prescribed by in the treatment plan observing confidentiality and HIPAA standards.
• Assesses patients assigned to therapy groups or as referred for one to one treatment and documents using approved discipline specific assessment note process.
• Evaluates and documents on patients' progress in treatment to include physical, cognitive, social, and psycho-affective functioning in approved records and formats.
• Plans, develops, and administers schedules of activities for patients to include treatment protocols for specialty areas and preparing and submitting data for budgets and occupational therapy supplies.
• Plans, attends, and participates in required departmental meetings and/or committees and workgroups and participates in quality assessment performance improvement activities. Actively supports facility and agency safety (including patient safety), risk management, and infection control programs. Maintains required departmental and hospital documentation and records.
• Develops in-service training material to train and instruct others (therapeutic staff, volunteers, interns, certified assistants, and contract occupational therapists) in conducting rehabilitation activities. Executes student training programs in cooperation with schools of rehabilitation specialties.
• Clinically supervises and manages assigned staff as required. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to participating in reviewing applications, interviewing candidates, selecting and hiring potential registered therapist assistants / Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTA), scheduling and assigning workload, establishing performance measures, evaluating work performance, providing feedback and guidance, recommending staff development and training, recommending personnel and disciplinary actions, scheduling and approving leave, ensuring assigned staff participate in mandatory training.
• Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Benefits

• Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed