Summary

SUMMARY: Under direction, to supervise and instruct entry to journey level professional therapists, supportive personnel and students; to assist in the development of special techniques and equipment; and to provide and supervise the provision of the full-range of occupational therapy services in rehabilitation programs treating physically disabled and emotionally ill persons at Alameda County Medical Center facilities; and to do related work as required.

DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each individual in the classification.

1. Supervises, orients, trains, instructs and assists in the evaluation of entry and journey level professional staff and supportive staff; assists in personnel selection; delegates cases to assigned staff while maintaining responsibility for an assigned program; carries a caseload of patients in addition to supervisorial responsibilities.

2. Reviews referrals by physicians to note diagnoses, cautions, treatment ordered and results desired.

3. Interviews patients and administers the appropriate tests and/or evaluations to assess physical and/or psycho-social 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.

4. 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.

5. Attends rehabilitation conferences and discusses the status and progress rehabilitation patients with physicians and personnel of other disciplines involved, such as physical therapy, nursing, and psychology.

6. Keeps records and prepares reports on patient treatment and progress and coordinates treatment with other services, involved in patient care; confers with the Chief Occupational Therapist regarding progress and problems.

7. Attends and participates in staff conferences, training, and in-service sessions, explains occupational therapy to other disciplines and coordinates programs.

8. May lead an out-patient group of mentally disturbed patients in a program designed to gain or re-gain maximum mental capabilities.

9. May act for the Assistant Chief Occupational Therapist in their absence; assumes administrative duties as assigned; assists the Chief in assigning duties to professional and supportive staff; communicates departmental needs.

10. Keeps informed of current trends and new developments in the field; read the professional literature; and participates in professional activities in the field.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: EITHER I One year of full-time experience in the class of Occupational Therapist I with Alameda County Medical Center. OR II Education: Possession of a Bachelor's Degree, certification or Master's Degree from an approved school of occupational therapy. Experience: Two years of full-time experience as an occupational therapist in another facility in physical disabilities or psycho-social dysfunction.