Occupational Therapist

Introduction Do you want to utilize your skills and make a difference? Are you ready to take the next step in your career? If so, please read on to learn more about this exciting opportunity! The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is currently seeking a dedicated and experienced Occupational Therapist to join our team. POSITION HIGHLIGHTS Facility: Connecticut Valley Hospital (CVH) Unit: Learning Center Unit Location: Middletown, CT Schedule: Full -time, 37.5 hours per week, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 8:00am - 4:00pm and Thursday 11:00am - 7:00pm. PCN: 79944 WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview page! Professional growth and development opportunities. A healthy work/life balance to all employees DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO: Engage in a rewarding career; Showcase your talents in a meaningful role; Thrive in an exciting environment; Provide support to a division that is passionate about the work we do; Work together in a collaborative team environment. THE ROLE You will provide individual and group occupational therapy services designed to help clients build and maintain meaningful skills for daily life and recovery. Responsibilities include providing instruction in activities of daily living, independent living skills, sensorimotor skills, psychosocial skills, therapeutic adaptations, and specialized assessments. The Occupational Therapist assesses clients, develops and carries out treatment activities consistent with physician prescriptions, and works closely with the interdisciplinary treatment team to support individualized recovery goals. This is an opportunity to use your clinical expertise in a meaningful setting while building therapeutic relationships and helping individuals achieve greater independence and quality of life. MORE ABOUT US DMHAS is a health care agency whose mission is to promote the overall health and wellness of persons with behavioral health needs through an integrated network of holistic, comprehensive, effective, and efficient services and supports that foster dignity, respect, and self-sufficiency in those we serve. CVH's vision and mission is to promote recovery through collaborative, compassionate, and culturally competent treatment in a safe, healthy, and caring environment. We provide trauma informed gender responsive treatment that empowers individuals to manage recovery, improve quality of life and return to the community. CVH boasts a rich history first opening its doors over 150 years ago in 1868. As the State’s public hospital, we provide treatment of mental illness and currently comprised of 18 inpatient units over two campuses (Middletown and Hartford). In our operational framework, recovery is defined as a process of restoring or developing a positive and meaningful sense of identity apart from one’s condition and then rebuilding one’s life in the fullest sense. Recovery is an individualized patient-centered approach. Achieving and maintaining an optimal state of health and wellness is integrated in our recovery approach. Individuals acquire and practice life skills that will assist them in their recovery process. PLEASE NOTE A comprehensive medical examination, including a drug screening, will be required of all applicants upon a conditional offer of employment. All state employees must adhere to Connecticut’s Policy for a Drug Free Workplace. Selection Plan Selection Plan Purpose of Job Class (Nature of Work) In a state facility this class is accountable for providing professional occupational therapy services. Examples of Duties Clinical Selects, plans, administers and implements occupational therapy programs for training of individuals with physical disabilities and/or an intellectual disability. Administers individual and group instructions to individuals in various occupational therapies including but not limited to activities of daily living, independent living skills, sensorimotor skills and performance components, psychosocial skill and performance components, therapeutic adaptations and specialized assessments. Determines and carries out treatment and activities for individuals consistent with physician prescription. Assesses individuals educational needs. Organizes new projects and methods. Serves as a member of the treatment team. Consults with supervisor, physicians and other professionals regarding individual reactions, progress and treatment plans. Recommends changes in individuals treatment. Participates in training programs for professional and paraprofessional staff and students/interns gaining clinical experience. Attends and participates in workshops and conferences. Instructs and demonstrates to individuals and parents treatments to be carried on in a treatment center and at home. Makes adaptive equipment; maintains records and prepares reports on individual care and administrative matters. Coordinates occupational therapy services with other disciplines such as physical, speech and rehabilitative therapies. Orders, requisitions and distributes supplies and materials. Coordinates efforts of volunteers; may escort individual on trips into community. May perform duties in individual home or community settings. May act as supervisor in their absence. May act as a consultant, advisor or resource person to other staff, programs or units. May attend conferences, individual study meetings and clinics. May maintain inventory. May serve as a Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional (QIDP). Performs related duties as required. Consulting Provides consultative services to public and private agencies in an assigned region of state or on a statewide basis with emphasis on pediatrics. Instructs professionals, paraprofessionals, individual and family members in appropriate way to carry out therapeutic program and encourages self-care at home. Develops, supervises and operates therapeutic clinics or programs in an assigned area of state. Assists in development of educational materials and procedural manuals. Assists in evaluation of services and procedures being purchased by state or being rendered by state run facilities. Prepares and presents educational material for in-service training programs. Assists in recruitment and orientation of professional staff. Prepares growth and development tests. Assists in planning and participates in special research studies. Prepares reports of activities and maintains individual records. May provide direct service to individual. Performs related duties as required. Knowledge, Skill and Ability Clinical Considerable knowledge of principles and practices of occupational therapy. Considerable knowledge of anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, neurology, neuroanatomy and individual and group dynamics as applied to occupational therapy. Considerable knowledge of adaptive equipment and its proper application. Considerable interpersonal skills. Considerable oral and written communication skills. Skill in application of occupational therapy techniques. Ability to gain interest, cooperation and confidence of individual. Ability to utilize computer software. Consulting Considerable knowledge of principles and practices of occupational therapy with emphasis on pediatrics. Considerable knowledge of adaptive equipment and its proper application. Knowledge of relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations. Knowledge of concepts and practices of public health. Considerable interpersonal skills. Considerable oral and written communication skills. Ability to utilize computer software. Minimum Qualifications - General Experience Incumbents in this class must possess and maintain licensure as an Occupational Therapist issued by the Connecticut State Department of Public Health in accordance with the applicable Connecticut General Statutes. Preferred Qualifications Experience working with adults with mental health and substance use disorders. Experience performing standardized and non-standardized assessments, completion of written reports and documentation related to findings. Experience working independently and collaboratively. Special Requirements Incumbents in this class may be required to be fluent in a foreign language or proficient in the use of American Sign Language in certain designated positions. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel. Working Conditions Incumbents in this class may be exposed to danger of injury and to moderately disagreeable conditions while providing treatment to individuals. AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities. Acknowledgement As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility. #J-18808-Ljbffr