Occupational Therapist - HOST & MRT en DESC

Description

Occupational Therapist, 1.0 FTE (0.5 MRT, 0.5 HOST)

Days Off: Saturday, Sunday

Shift: Office Day

Insurance Benefits: Dental, Life, Long-term Disability, Medical (no premiums/payroll deductions for employee coverage)

Other Benefits: Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Flexible Spending Account (FSA), ORCA card subsidy, Paid Time Off (34 days per year), Retirement Plan

Union Representation: This position is a part of a union and is represented by SEIU Healthcare 1199NW.

About DESC:

DESC (Downtown Emergency Service Center) is a nonprofit organization working to help people with the complex needs of homelessness, substance use disorders, and serious mental illness achieve their highest potential for health and well-being through comprehensive services, treatment, and housing. Our vision is a community where no person is abandoned, ignored, or experiencing homelessness.

As the region's leading provider of services to multiply disabled adults who have experienced chronic homelessness, DESC serves almost 3,000 people each day. Our integrated service model is designed to help people secure and maintain appropriate, safe and affordable housing. DESC is recognized nationally and regionally as an innovator in developing solutions to homelessness.

JOB DESCRIPTION

DESC is looking for an experienced and enthusiastic staff occupational therapist to join our new Division of Occupational Therapy! This unique and exciting opportunity is occupational therapy at its finest: collaborating with clients to maximize engagement in meaningful routines and valued occupations which may include ADLs/IADLs, leisure activities, household management, decreasing substance use, sustaining housing, and community integration. Therapy may be conducted individually or in groups.

The ideal candidate is innovative, adaptable, and committed to serving the most vulnerable of our community. Preference given to candidates with behavioral health experience.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS

Homeless Outreach Stabilization and Transition (HOST) is a multi-disciplinary team serving homeless adults experiencing severe and persistent mental illness and co-occurring disorders. HOST prioritizes services to those who are highly vulnerable, lack service connections or other support, and are unwilling or unable to engage in traditional service models. The HOST team works throughout Seattle and parts of King County to provide critical survival services and engagement with the goals of addressing acute mental and physical health needs, increasing stability, obtaining housing, and transitioning to long-term services. The HOST occupational therapist’s role will primarily focus on promoting successful transition from the streets to permanent supportive housing. Duties will include individual assessments and treatment, environmental modifications, care coordination with hospitals and community partners, 

The Mobile Response Team (MRT) is a mobile interdisciplinary team comprised of certified peer counselors, behavioral health case managers, substance use disorder professionals, mental health professionals, psychiatric nurses, occupational therapists, and Buprenorphine waivered medical providers. Care is provided to adults at Health through Housing (HtH) facilities and targeted Permanent Supportive Housing sites across King County. The team provides short-term, intensive wraparound services to individuals requiring increased support and stabilization due to acute change in mental or physical health. The MRT occupational therapist will facilitate increased successful participation in daily occupations during a time of transition and changing needs, with a heavy focus on care coordination with community partners and housing staff. Therapy may be provided individually or in groups. 

This position will report to the Occupational Therapy Supervisor.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide high quality occupational therapy evaluations and treatment interventions (individual and groups) to clients with serious mental illness, history of incarceration, substance use disorder, and/or history of homelessness
• Complete written documentation in manner and timeline required by department and agency 
• Develop and maintain strong collaborative relationships with multidisciplinary teams, DESC Housing staff, and community partners to ensure full continuity of care for clients. 
• Participate in team meetings, in-services, and agency trainings as assigned

OTHER DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supports and participates in department operations and development
• Comply with applicable program research and evaluation procedures 
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Licensed by the state of Washington as an Occupational Therapist or has a valid probational certificate issued by the state of Washington to practice occupational therapy.
• Graduation from an accredited Occupational Therapy program.
• Interest or experience in working with clients who have difficulty engaging with traditional programs.
• Excellent communication skills and a professional work ethic.
• Ability to work effectively with clients displaying a wide range of behaviors.
• Subscribe to the philosophy of cooperation and continuity across programs and of consideration and respect for clients.
• Ability to drive an agency or personal vehicle to conduct agency related business, including a current Washington State driver's license and insurable driving record.
• BLS/CPR Certification (can be obtained after hire).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Professional fluency in a second language besides English.
• Experience working with adults who have experienced homelessness.
• Experience working with adults who have experienced mental health and substance use issues.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be required to sit, drive, walk, stand, communicate with other employees and vendors, is required to lift and carry items weighing up to 25 pounds and operate computer hardware systems. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Considerable stress may occur. Employees will be working both indoors and outdoors in all types of weather.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

DESC is committed to diversity in the workplace and promotes equal employment opportunities for all staff members and applicants. The Agency will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, caste, marital status, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability in any employment practice, unless based on a bona fide occupational qualification. Minorities and veterans are encouraged to apply.