Senior Occupational Therapist
California State Personnel Board Specification
Definition
Under general medical direction, to plan the operations and supervise the personnel of the occupational therapy program of a State institution; to perform occupational therapy work; and to do other work as required.
Typical Tasks
In conjunction with medical officers, plans and supervises the occupational therapy program in a State correctional institution or general hospital and coordinates these activities with the other institutional programs; trains technical and nontechnical assistants and assigns, supervises, and evaluates their work, and takes or recommends appropriate action with respect to their work performance; may act as the representative of a university or occupational therapy school in supervising students during clinical training; administers occupational therapy treatments in accordance with the prescription of the physician in charge of each case; teaches patients self-care activities, industrial arts and handicrafts; explores vocational interests and aptitudes and plans programs of industrial work for patients; may plan and supervise or assist with the recreational activities of patients; assists in educating other personnel to understand and cooperate with the phsyical and psychological objectives of the treatments; attends medical and administrative conferences; observes patients' reactions and progress and keeps clinical notes and records to be included in case histories and makes reports; assists in the preparation of the budget and orders necessary equipment and supplies; cares for equipment and facilities.
Minimum Qualifications
Registration with the National Registry of the American Occupational Therapy Association or eligibility for such registration. andOne year of supervised staff experience in occupational therapy.
Knowledges and Abilities
Knowledge of: Theory and practice of mental and physical rehabilitation of mentally and physically handicapped persons; therapeutic techniques including arts and crafts, and recreational, prevocational and self-care activities commonly used in occupational therapy work, and skill in their application; basic pathology involved in diseases and injuries resulting in physical and mental handicaps and physical and psychological problems of the physically and mentally handicapped person; principles of effective supervision and in-service training.
Ability to: Plan and supervise a comprehensive occupational therapy program for an institution; train, direct, and evaluate the work of others; interpret occupational therapy treatments to hospital personnel, relatives, patients and others; prepare reports and keep records to be included in case histories; analyze situations accurately and take effective action.
Special Personal Characteristics
Ability to establish and maintain cooperative interrelationships with individuals and groups; a sympathetic and objective understanding of the problems of mentally and physically handicapped persons; tact; patience; emotional stability; pleasing personality and neat personal appearance.
