Occupational Therapist

Job Description

Job Description

Transitional Services for New York, Inc., not-for profit, is a comprehensive, community-based mental health organization located in New York City. We provide a continuum of rehabilitative services to enrich the lives of those recovering from mental illness and facilitate their transition to increased levels of independence. Transitional Services for New York, Inc. envisions broadening its rehabilitative services and becoming a regional social service provider. Transitional Services for New York Staff will deliver effective programs with compassion, integrity, and professionalism. We expect all staff to put our clients’ needs first while respecting ourselves and each other as we provide hope to those who participate in our programs.

Occupational Therapist : Salary: $127,000 annually, Full-Time Exempt position available at our Supported Housing Bellerose (Queens County), NY Location.

Valid license to practice as an Occupational Therapist in New York State.

Position Summary

The Occupational Therapist works with an aging population with serious mental illness living in TSINY’s supported and supportive housing programs, helping tenants sustain independent living as they encounter new challenges related to aging and chronic health conditions. The Occupational Therapist evaluates functional abilities and provides interventions to address mobility limitations, cognitive challenges and safety concerns. OT services include environmental modifications, fall prevention strategies, adaptive equipment recommendations, and development of compensatory skills necessary to help tenants remain safely and successfully housed in their own apartments. This position requires current New York State licensure as an Occupational Therapist.

Essential Functions

• Conduct comprehensive evaluations of tenants’ physical, cognitive, emotional and environmental needs, with attention to how aging and chronic health conditions affect their ability to manage their apartment and live independently.
• Develop and implement individualized treatment plans based on assessment findings.
• Provide interventions to improve tenants’ performance in activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), including apartment management tasks such as housekeeping, medication management, meal preparation, mobility within the home and financial management.
• Identify emerging risk factors related to aging or chronic health conditions (e.g., declining mobility, self-neglect, hoarding, medication mismanagement, unsafe home conditions) that could jeopardize a tenant’s ability to remain in their apartment and develop supports and modifications to mitigate them.
• Support tenants in accessing and participating in recreational, social, vocational, and other community-based activities to promote independence and quality of life.
• Address cognitive and executive functioning skills, including planning, organization, time management, problem-solving, attention and task initiation.
• Use therapeutic techniques and adaptive equipment to improve tenants’ functional abilities.
• Educate tenants, families, and caregivers on therapy goals and home/community programs.
• Monitor tenant progress and modify treatment plans as needed.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation in accordance with regulatory and organizational standards.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members (e.g., physicians, psychiatrists, case managers, physical therapists, speech therapists, social workers) to support tenants’ mental health and aging-related needs.
• Promote a safe environment and enforce the elimination of fire and safety hazards.
• Order supplies and equipment as necessary.
• Clean, maintain, identify and report the need for repair of equipment as necessary.
• Ensure compliance with safety, confidentiality and ethical standards.
• Provide input into quarterly Community Placement Review Assessment.
• Supervise Occupational Therapy Student Interns.
• Converse with shift going off duty for any pertinent information about residents.
• Read and respond to emails and AWARDS messages
• Document pertinent information regarding residents in Reception Desk.
• Complete progress notes within five days of providing service.
• Meet with supervisor as scheduled.
• Participate in staff meetings/
• Maintain current certification in CPR and First Aid.
• Submit petty cash receipts.
• Attend on-site and off-site training, seminars, conferences, etc.
• Complete required eLearning courses.
• Check revised schedules for possible changes in hours/shifts and for holiday coverage.
• Keep accurate records of services performed, tenants’ health status and hours worked.
• Be able to sit or stand as needed, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Be able to walk, primarily on a level surface, for short periods throughout the day, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Be able to reach above shoulder height, below the waist or lift as required to file documents or store materials throughout the workday, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• During a declared disaster, assume and adhere to assigned Job Action role(s) consistent with Disaster Preparedness Plan.
• Attend job and Agency training as required to maintain compliance and ensure continued professional development.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Experience/Education/Skills/Abilities

Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctorate degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited program. Current, valid license to practice as an Occupational Therapist in New York State. Experience or interest working with older adults and/or individuals with serious mental illness strongly preferred.

TSINY is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in accordance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, as well as the New York State Human Rights Law. TSINY prohibits discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, veteran status or other protected group status as provided by law in all employment decisions.