Rehabilitation Therapist

University of Rochester•Niagara Falls, NY

About The Position

The Rehabilitation Therapist position is based in Pediatric Behavioral Health & Wellness Outpatient Services. The Rehabilitation Therapist will support ambulatory clinicians and the families they serve by providing consultation on community resources, preparing for and following up on referrals, and participating in appointments and community-based visits when clinically indicated. Specifically, the Rehabilitation Therapist services are designed to support a youth’s functional level, including support related to housing, academics, job readiness, and promoting independence in ADLs directly through sessions with youth and families and indirectly through work with their clinicians. The Rehabilitation Therapist must subscribe to UR Medicine ICARE values, including creating a culturally competent environment by treating patients, families, trainees, and co-workers with sensitivity and appropriate attention to cultural differences. The schedule for this position is generally Monday-Friday, 8:30 am-5 pm with occasional evening hours.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree with major course work in a related health/occupational field required.
2-3 years of relevant experience working with children and adolescents regarding mental health concerns, or an equivalent combination of education and experience required.
Must possess a valid New York State Driver's License and be able to meet criteria for safe driver credentialling strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Collaborates with clinicians and treatment team members to develop, review, and evaluate the needs for Psychiatric Rehabilitation services for a target population.
Appropriately assesses for and mobilizes resources, including housing, academics, job readiness, and promoting independence in Activities of Daily Living (ADL) to support a youth’s functional level.
Attends school and community meetings as clinically indicated to meet treatment goals.
Independently carries out strategies for implementation of the care plan by establishing contact with various service providers and family members to: link patients with existing resources; assure appropriate utilization of life support services in the community; assure the smooth and orderly transition of patients into their designated placement; take initiative for suggesting appropriate community services that would enable the patient to function at optimal level in the community.
Mobilizes family and natural support networks when indicated.
Meets with youth and their caregivers to implement rehabilitation therapy developed in collaboration with families, clinicians, and other treatment team members. Therapy may include further identification of academic goals and how to reach them (e.g., GED programs), vocational and training goals and ways to achieve them (e.g., ACCESS VR), job-readiness goals (e.g., writing a resume, completing job applications), and working on ADLs (e.g., navigating buses, preparing for a driving permit, hygiene).
Completes and maintains professional documentation.
Appropriately completes billing paperwork for all reimbursable services.
For patients in acute crisis, collect information, prepare referrals, and follow-up on referrals to county-based OMH services, Health Homes, Preventive Services, Residential Treatment Facilities (RTF), and Residential Treatment Centers (RTC)
Make collateral contacts for new and existing patients and families. Collateral contacts may include Child Protective Caseworkers, Foster Care Caseworkers, other DSS Caseworkers, probation officers, pediatricians and nurse practitioners, and school personnel.
Participate in designated service meetings and supervision.