County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

DEFINITION
Under direction, to provide occupational therapy services in rehabilitation programs for the physically disabled and emotionally ill persons in County medical facilities; to assist in the development of special techniques and equipment; and to do related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
Occupational Therapist I is the entry- and journey-level classification in the professional occupational therapy series. Incumbents will have had experience in an intern or sub-professional capacity and will work under the supervision of Occupational Therapist II’s or Supervising Therapists in a program of functional therapy and rehabilitation of the physically or psychologically handicapped. Occupational Therapist I’s are distinguished from Occupational Therapist II’s in that the latter are first-line supervisors who have program responsibility for an assigned area and who supervise Occupational Therapist I’s, as well as sub-professional Occupational Therapy staff.

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. Reviews referrals by physician to note diagnoses, cautions, treatment ordered and results desired.
2. Interviews the patient and administers the appropriate tests and/or evaluations to assess physical and/or psychosocial dysfunction. These evaluations may include, but are not limited to, range of motion, muscle testing, sensory integration, perceptual abilities, coordination, activities of daily living, pre-vocational, home evaluation, equipment needs, feeding and pre-feeding evaluations, and interpersonal relationship skills.
3. Plans an appropriate treatment program utilizing selected methods to achieve the desired treatment objectives and goals for patient rehabilitation. These methods may include, but are not limited to, therapeutic exercises and functional activities to promote muscle return, sensory re-education, muscle facilitation, perceptual-motor integration, activities of daily living and transfer training, prosthetic training of the upper extremity, orthotic and adaptive equipment fabrication, and community re-orientation.
4. Attends rehabilitation conferences and discusses the status and progress of rehabilitation patients with physicians and personnel of other disciplines involved, such as physical therapy, nursing, and psychology; keeps records and makes reports of treatment, progress and psychological attitude of patients; coordinates activity with the other services involved in patient care.
5. Attends and participates in staff conferences and training sessions.
6. Confers with supervisor regarding problems and progress in assigned cases.
7. May instruct and supervise student occupational therapists assigned for training, C.O.T.A.'s and Occupational Therapy Aides assigned to assist in the program.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Either I
Special Requirement:

Eligibility for or possession of registration with the National Register of Qualified Occupational Therapists.

Education:

Possession of a bachelor's degree, certification or master's degree from an approved school of occupational therapy.
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:
• Principles of occupational therapy theory, methods,
procedures and equipment involved.
• Human anatomy, physiology, kinesiology and neurology.
• Basic principles of psychology and psychopathology.
• Perceptual-motor theory and principles.
• Medical terminology; arts, crafts and recreational activities.

Ability to:
• Apply occupational therapy principles and practices.
• Develop good working relationships.
• Analyze patient situations.
• Express oneself clearly in speaking and writing.
• Maintain medical confidentiality.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

TT:Lm-h
11/82
TAT:Lm-h
7/83
TMZ:pb
Revised: 1/90
Old document: 0553h
New document: Jobspecs/5810
ys/7/01
CSC Date: 1/17/90

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.