San Mateo County Health's Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Division (BHRS) is seeking a well-qualified individual for the position of Occupational Therapist II - Therapeutic Day Schools.
The mental health Occupational Therapy within the Therapeutic Day Schools (TDS) program assists youth in acquiring skills needed to function in their life roles of student and worker. As the students in the TDS program progress toward graduation they are then linked with the Department of Rehabilitation for assessment and counseling for future placement. The Occupational Therapist also provides treatment through the use of arts and crafts activities. The focus of this "activity" based treatment is the development of pre-vocational skills: pro-social and task skills.
Occupation Therapy services in the TDS unit are provided in two general areas: direct and indirect services. These services function to prepare the young person for the roles of a student, performance of age-appropriate daily living behaviors and ultimately the transition to worker, college student, or vocational training.
The Occupational Therapy program addresses: independent living skills, pre-vocational skills, socialization skills, recreation and leisure activities, and transition activities as outlined in the students Individualized Education Plan (IEP).
The Therapeutic Day School unit is comprised of two separate school programs serving high school aged special education students in the Jefferson High School District, and South San Francisco Unified School District. Each TDS program is a collaboration between that designated high school district. TDS students are certified special education students who have been evaluated and determined in need of intensive mental health services in order to benefit from their education. The core staff is comprised of a multi-disciplinary team including both mental health and educational staff. The TDS program works in close collaboration with outside service providers such as probation, social services, education, Wrap- Around service providers and other mental health contract agencies.
The Therapeutic Day School BHRS Staff include a Clinical Services Manager (1), Supervising Mental Health Clinician (1), Psychiatric Social Workers / Marriage and Family Therapists (2), Creative Arts Therapist (1), Occupational Therapist (1), Psychiatrist (1) and Medical Office Assistant (1). District special education staff include the Special Education Director (1), Program Specialist (1), Special Education Teacher (1 or 2), and Teaching Associates (1 or 2).
The ideal candidates will have:
- Experience working with adolescents in a mental health setting
- Experience working on a multidisciplinary team
- Experience working with special education students and participating in the IEP process
- Familiarity with normal adolescent development
- Familiarity with psychiatric disorders as defined in the DSM V manual
- Ability to provide treatment to youth who have co-occurring substance use issues
- Ability to structure and effectively run activity-based groups with teenagers
Responsibilities will include:
- Assessment and development of a treatment plan that links to the BHRS client treatment plan.
- Coordinating and implementing the TDS program's Occupational Therapy program, including group treatment, individual treatment, linkage to various agencies, and consultation to staff and families.
- Continual evaluation of youth capacities and deficits, and the students' response to treatment including the measurement of change and development.
- Conduct assessments, share findings and make appropriate recommendations.
- Collaborate and coordinate with the multi-disciplinary team which includes special education staff and mental health staff in order to provide comprehensive treatment to youth in the TDS program.
- Participate in milieu therapy and enforce the behavior management system.
- Provide consultation and support to families and staff as needed.
- Provide education and training to staff as needed.
- Liaison with community agencies to assess, implement or coordinate services.
- Work closely with district vocational support staff to assist students in transitioning to the role of worker.
- Participate in Individual Education Plan (IEP) meetings by completing and monitoring progress of the Individualized Transition Plan (ITP).
Qualifications
Education and Experience:
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is:
- Occupational Therapist II: One year of supervised experience in occupational therapy.
Licensure/Certification:
- Eligibility for or registration as an Occupational Therapist by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy. Failure to obtain this licensure within twelve months of employment may result in termination.
- Possession of a Certificate of completion for a course in Basic Life Support as approved by the American Red Cross or American Heart Association; or must be obtained within six months of appointment.
TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT TIMELINE
Final Filing Date: January 9, 2025, by 11:59 p.m. PST
Application Screening: January 14, 2025
Combined Panel/Departmental Interviews: January 24, 2025
