County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under general supervision, assists the therapists of Occupational Therapy and Patient Activities in administering a patient care program within the areas of specific treatment, supporting and maintenance programs; and performing related duties.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

Occupational Therapy Assistants assist Registered Occupational Therapists, Recreational Therapists, and the Coordinator of Patient Activities in administering therapy and treatment to patients. This class is distinguished from the class of Occupational Therapist in that while Occupational Therapy Assistants may independently observe setup and carry out a pre-set rehabilitative activity program for individuals and groups, they do not have the responsibility for planning and selecting these programs, evaluating procedures, adjusting treatment, or the total responsibility for the successful administration of the patient's treatment program. They are distinguished from the next lower class of Occupational Therapy Aide in that incumbents of the lower class are restricted to setting up and adjusting equipment and only occasionally assist in treatment. The Aide is not trained and possesses no theory of the rehabilitation basis of treatment.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1. Assists in specific treatment of patients, including preparing patient for treatment, observing patients during treatment, and assisting patients at the conclusion of treatment; takes notes and keeps records as required; reports patient observations to Occupational Therapist, Recreational Therapist, or Coordinator of Patient Activities.
2. Assembles and disassembles equipment and accessories; maintains equipment; may clean or adjust equipment if necessary.
3. Engages patient in therapeutic activity adhering to a specific treatment plan; observes patient in activity; reviews progress of patient; reports observations to Occupational Therapists, Recreational Therapists, or Coordinator of Patient Activities.
4. Contributes to the learning of occupational therapy students; consults and collaborates with supervisors to plan or improve existing programs.
5. Under the direction of the Coordinator of Patient Activities, interviews and documents Skilled Nursing Facility patients and provides input into the Collaborative Care Conferences.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Completion of an Occupational Therapy Assistant curriculum approved by the American Occupational Therapy Association.

Certification:

Possession of a valid certificate as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant issued by the American Occupational Therapy Association.

Special Requirement:

Some positions in Patient Activities may not require certification but will require the equivalent of three years as an aide in an organized recreational program in a medical setting, OR an associate of arts degree in recreation from a junior college, or its equivalent.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Basic arts and crafts, recreational activities, physical training, and therapeutic devices and other means used to provide psychological support and effect physical or psychosocial rehabilitation.
• Basic principles of psychosocial dysfunction, anatomy, physiology and occupational therapy.
• Equipment and accessories used in a program of functional occupational therapy.

Abilities:

• Applying occupational therapy techniques.
• Working effectively with patients and co-workers.
• Keeping accurate records and preparing reports.
• Assembling, disassembling, and adjusting occupational therapy
equipment.
• Applying therapeutic recreation on an individualized basis.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

TAT:Lm-h
Revised: 5/85
Old document: 0552h
New document: Jobspecs/5806
ys/7/01
CSC Date: 6/5/85

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees) 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.