Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist

Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist

Inspired by faith. Driven by innovation. Powered by humankindness. CommonSpirit Health is building a healthier future for all through its integrated health services. As one of the nation's largest nonprofit Catholic healthcare organizations, CommonSpirit Health delivers more than 20 million patient encounters annually through more than 2,300 clinics, care sites and 158 hospital-based locations, in addition to its home-based services and virtual care offerings.

As CommonSpirit Health, we make the healing presence of God known in our world by improving the health of the people we serve, especially those who are vulnerable, while we advance social justice for all. To learn more about a calling that defines and unites, please click here for more information about our mission, vision, and values.

The posted compensation range of $55.74 - $66.56 /hour is a reasonable estimate that extends from the lowest to the highest pay CommonSpirit in good faith believes it might pay for this particular job, based on the circumstances at the time of posting. CommonSpirit may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range as permitted by law.

Job Summary and Responsibilities

As a Clinical Specialist - Occupational Therapy, you will be a central figure specializing in providing expert occupational therapy assessment and advanced therapeutic interventions to complex patient populations, driving exceptional outcomes and specialized program development. You will play a vital leadership role in advancing occupational therapy practice and contributing to holistic patient recovery. Every day, you will meticulously conduct comprehensive evaluations, develop highly individualized and evidence-based treatment plans, and skillfully implement specialized therapies for patients with complex functional needs. You will also provide expert consultation to the interdisciplinary team, mentor junior therapists, participate in program development and quality improvement initiatives, and maintain meticulous documentation, ensuring adherence to the highest professional standards and regulatory guidelines. To be successful in this role, you will combine an active Occupational Therapist (OTR/L) license, a relevant Master's or Doctoral degree, and extensive advanced clinical experience in a specialized area of OT practice (e.g., neurological rehabilitation, hand therapy, oncology). You will demonstrate exceptional clinical reasoning, strong leadership qualities, outstanding communication skills, and thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment dedicated to advancing occupational therapy excellence and optimizing patient quality of life.

• Abuse Protection and Reporting: Identifies and reports patient abuse and neglect i.e.: physical assault, domestic abuse and neglect of elders and children. Measurement: Feedback, Chart Review, Observation.
• Annual Performance Evaluations: Conducts annual performance reviews as assigned by Therapy Manager/Supervisor and works to assist other speech therapists in improving job performance. (NA - per diem) Measurement: Feedback, Observation.
• Assessment: Accurately identifies patient's functional deficits/dysfunction through review of the medical record, through observation of the patient, through information obtained from the patient/family, and through assessment of expressive/receptive language, motor speech, cognitive/linguistic hearing, voice and swallowing and other speech therapy assessment techniques. Measurement: Accurately interprets the physician's order. Discussion Feedback Chart Review Observation
• Bedside Swallow Assessment: Accurately identifies signs and symptoms of dysphagia and the patient's functional deficits/dysfunction with swallowing through review of the medical record, observation of the patient, information obtained from the patient/family/staff, oral-pharyngeal and respiratory examination, trial feed assessments and other occupational therapy assessment techniques. Accurately interprets the physician order. Received Advanced Practice Certification in Swallowing from the California Board of Occupational Therapy or be working towards advanced practice certification following established guidelines for supervision and continuing education. Measurement: Discussion, Feedback, Chart Review, Observation.
• Communication: Communicates regularly with other members of the healthcare team regarding goals, progress and rehab potential. Works as a collaborative member of the treatment team. Measurement: Feedback, Observation.
• Continuing Education: Maintains current skills and competency by attending at least one continuing education course annually and at least 1 department/hospital inservice a month (NA - per diem). Measurement: Observation.

Job Requirements

• High School Graduate
• Minimum of five (5) years clinical experience
• Evidence of extensive trainingin a given specialty area.
• Specialty areas may include but not be limited to: neuro rehabilitation, orthopedics, pediatrics, swallowing, hand rehabilitation, pain management and work hardening
• High School GED
• Occupational Therapist: CA
• Basic Life Support - CPR

Where You'll Work

St. John's Regional Medical Center, located in Oxnard, California is a recognized as a Top 250 Hospital in the Nation and as one of America's 100 Best Hospitals for Cardiac Care by Healthgrades. St. John's Regional is a part of Dignity Health's Southern California Division and is a member of CommonSpirit Health, the largest not-for-profit health care system in the nation, boasting an integrated network of top quality hospitals, with physicians from the most prestigious medical schools, and comprehensive outpatient services - all recognized for quality, safety, and service. Each hospital is supported by an active philanthropic Foundation to help meet the growing health care needs of our communities. Learn more here at

One Community. One Mission. One California

Total Rewards

Depending on the position offered, CommonSpirit Health offers a generous benefit package, including but not limited to medical, prescription drug, dental, vision plans, life insurance, paid time off (full-time benefit eligible team members may receive a minimum of 14 paid time off days, including holidays annually), tuition reimbursement, retirement plan benefit(s) including, but not limited to, 401(k), 403(b), and other defined benefits offerings, as may be amended from time to time. For more information, please visit our Total Rewards

Unless directed by a Collective Bargaining Agreement, applications for this position will be considered on a rolling basis. CommonSpirit Health cannot anticipate the date by which a successful candidate may be identified.