Occupational Therapist - I

The Department of Health and Human Services - Public Health is currently hiring for the Temporary/Extra Help position of Occupational Therapist I.

Temporary/Extra Help assignments are limited to working 28 hours per week with a cap of 999 hours or 960 hours for CalPERS retired annuitants in a fiscal year and are not eligible for benefits.  Extra-help appointments made from this eligible list may transition to permanent status, should vacancies arise.

The resulting eligible list may be used to fill future permanent positions and/or extra help/temporary assignments.  This recruitment is continuous and will remain open until filled. To be considered in the next application screening, submitted applications must be received no later than 5:00 PM on 11/29/2019. Applications received after this date will be screened and added to the eligible list on an as-needed basis.

The current vacancy is located in Newcastle, which is approximately five minutes west of Auburn.  While the majority of services are provided at the Newcastle clinic, some services are provided at a satellite unit in Roseville.

In addition to the essential duties, knowledge, skills and abilities listed below the position also requires:

• Occasional visits to home and schools within Placer County;
• Utilizing standardized tests and classification tools;
• Ordering adaptive equipment and supplies, such as splints and wheelchairs; and
• Lifting patients to and from various surfaces, including a mat, table and floor.

To plan and perform occupational therapy for children who are neurologically and/or orthopedically disabled due to cerebral palsy, myelomeningocele, amputations, arthritis or similar conditions.

This is the entry level class in the Occupational Therapist series.  This class is distinguished from the journey level by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within this series.  Employees at this level are not expected to perform with the same independence of direction and judgement on matters allocated to the journey level.  Since this class is typically used as a training class, employees may have only limited or no directly related work experience.  Employees work under general supervision while learning job tasks.

Receives general supervision from a Supervising Public Health Nurse or Physical Therapist; may receive technical and functional supervision from other public health nursing staff.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Evaluate, plan and provide occupational therapy for children in a clinic, home or school setting.
• Teach self-care activities emphasizing muscle re-education involving reach, grasp, release, coordination and balance.
• Adapt games, crafts and other activities as therapeutic exercises.
• Instruct children in self-feeding.
• Develop and instruct family and teaching staff regarding feeding programs for children.
• Develop positioning plans for the severely disabled children relative to physical functioning and daily living skills; and work with the staff.
• Observe behavior and progress; assess and evaluate therapy, adjust accordingly.
• Keep clinical notes and records and prepare reports.
• Instruct parents in home follow-up and use of special equipment.
• Cooperate with teaching staff in securing carry-over in therapy and training; and instruct teaching staff regarding care of children's physical disabilities.
• Plan and supervise group activities.
• Work with health and educational authorities and community organizations in integrating State and local programs for children with physical disabilities.
• Organize clinics and participate in conferences, study groups and parent and community meetings.
• Construct and fit hand splints.
• Design, evaluate and/or direct the construction of special equipment.
• Maintain equipment and therapy area.
• Order adaptive equipment and supplies.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with patients, co-workers, other County employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

It is the responsibility of applicants to identify in their application materials how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below.

Experience:  No experience is required. 

Training:  Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in occupational therapy or a related field.

NOTE: Applicants receiving their degree outside the United States must submit proof of accreditation by a recognized evaluation agency.

License or Certificate:

• Possession of a valid certificate of registration issued by the American Occupational Therapy Association.
• May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and methods of occupational therapy.
• Theory of mental and physical rehabilitation.
• Skeletal anatomy and kinesiology.
• Basic pathology and neurology involved in cerebral palsy and other disabling conditions such as myelomeningocele, amputations and arthritis, relative to the objectives of occupational therapy.
• Principles of growth and development of children.
• Physical and psychological problems of physically disabled children and their families.
• Design, use and care of special equipment and toys including those suitable for construction at home.
• English usage, spelling, punctuation and grammar; arithmetic and basic mathematical calculations.

Ability to:

• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; intermittently analyze work papers, reports and special projects; identify and interpret technical and numerical information; observe and problem solve operational and technical policies and procedures.
• On an intermittent basis, sit at desk for long periods of time while preparing reports; intermittently walk, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel, twist and reach while assisting patients in moving to and from therapy area and in providing therapy and instructional activities.
• Intermittently twist to reach equipment surrounding desk; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone and write or use a keyboard to communicate through written means; see with sufficient visual acuity to observe patient's physical skills; and lift very heavy weight.
• Teach disabled children the fundamentals of self-care and other suitable activities.
• Develop positioning programs for the severely handicapped.
• Teach and explain occupational therapy to children, parents, teachers and other professionals.
• Prepare reports and keep records of case histories.
• Use equipment and supplies utilized in occupational therapy; evaluate and/or design special equipment; construct simple hand splints.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Obtain information through interviews; deal fairly and courteously with the public; and impart instructional information to patients, family and teachers.
• Analyze situations quickly and objectively and determine proper course of action.
• Use general office machines and technology.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Training & Experience Rating (100%)

Based upon responses to the supplemental questionnaire, the applicant’s education, training and experience will be evaluated using a pre-determined formula.  Scores from this evaluation will determine applicant ranking and placement on the eligible list.

Prior to the date of hire, applicants must undergo a fingerprint test by the Department of Justice, pass a medical examination (which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation), sign a constitutional oath and submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S.  For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, undergo a background investigation (which may include a voice stress analysis and/or a polygraph) and/or be bonded. Additionally, positions in law enforcement classifications, and those supporting law enforcement functions will be required to complete a conviction history questionnaire prior to or during the interview process. Applicants for positions with access to Medi-Cal billing software or who are licensed providers must clear the Federal Exclusion List, credentialing, and social security verification. Failure to clear these requirements may result in an employment offer being withdrawn.

The eligible list(s) resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification.  For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

Placer County offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process. For more information on the Public Agency Eligible List, to download forms, or to apply, please click here.

Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that harassment, discrimination and retaliation are prohibited and that all employees, applicants, agents, contractors, and interns/volunteers shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, transfer and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, race, color, ancestry, religion, national origin, physical disability (Including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over), marital status, military and/or veteran status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. Please contact the Human Resources Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.

The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change.  It is advisable that applicants inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department.

Click here to view benefits for Professional bargaining unit

Recruitment Schedule

• 9/09/2019 - First Screening Deadline
• 10/18/2019 - Second Screening Deadline