Occupational Therapist/ Senior Occupational Therapist (Regular and Per Diem Pool)

THE POSITION:
Under direction, the incumbent evaluates referred patients; plans, coordinates resources and administers occupational therapy programs for the habilitation and rehabilitation of Medical Therapy Program clients.  If appointed at the senior level, they will also supervise the clinical skills of staff occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, volunteers, and occupational therapy students as needed; and performs related duties as required.
 
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate is a compassionate and skilled Occupational Therapist with experience serving children with complex medical conditions in a pediatric public health setting. They demonstrate strong clinical expertise in evaluation, treatment planning, and implementation of evidence-based interventions, while working collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team that may include physicians, therapists, educators, and families. The ideal candidate communicates effectively with caregivers, is highly organized and adaptable in managing a diverse caseload, and is committed to providing culturally responsive, family-centered care that improves functional outcomes and quality of life for children and youth served through California Children’s Services (CCS) Medical Therapy Program (MTP).  
 
AGENCY/DEPARTMENT: Health Care Agency - Public Health
 
The Per Diem Pool (PDP) classifications are distinguished from the Regular classifications in that the incumbents in these classifications receive limited benefits. They will receive shift differential, standby and callback premium pay and will participate in the Ventura County Employees' Retirement Association if they are assigned a biweekly work schedule of 64 hours or more. Incumbents hired into these positions are not guaranteed any specific number of work hours per biweekly pay period, and management has the authority to relieve them from duty when there is insufficient work.

APPROXIMATE SALARIES:
Occupational Therapist: $41.23 - $57.65 per hour
Senior Occupational Therapist: $44.83 - $66.02 per hour
Rehab Therapist-PDP III (Occupational Therapist): $58.70 per hour
Rehab Therapist-PDP IV (Sr. Occupational Therapist): $64.83 per hour

EDUCATIONAL/BILINGUAL INCENTIVE:  Incumbents may be eligible for educational incentive of 2.5%, 3.5%, or 5% based on completion of an Associate's, Bachelor's, or Master's degree that is not required for the classification. Incumbents may also be eligible for bilingual incentive depending upon operational need and certification of skill.

Occupational Therapist, Senior Occupational Therapist and Rehabilitation Therapist PDP III/IV are represented by the Services Employees International Union (SEIU) and are eligible for overtime compensation.

The eligible list established from this recruitment will be used to fill current and future Regular (including Temporary and Fixed-term), Intermittent, and Extra-help vacancies. There is currently one (1) Regular vacancy within the public health department.

NOTE: If appointed at the lower level, incumbent may be promoted to the higher level without further examination upon meeting the minimum requirements, demonstrating satisfactory performance, and in accordance with the business needs of the department.
 
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE 
OPENING DATE: September 01, 2026
CLOSING DATE: ContinuousDuties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Conducts comprehensive pediatric evaluations and ongoing assessments for Medical Therapy Program (MTP) clients (birth to 21 years old) to determine functional status and therapy needs; 
• Develops individualized treatment plans and measurable functional goals in collaboration with patients, families, and the interdisciplinary team;
• Implements and adjusts therapeutic interventions to support patient progress toward established goals;
• Educates patients and families on treatment strategies, including developing and reinforcing individualized home exercises and activity programs; 
• Assesses, recommends, and fits adaptive equipment and splints; conducts home visits as needed to evaluate durable medical equipment needs; 
• Coordinates care with an interdisciplinary team, including physicians, vendors and other support staff, to ensure comprehensive rehabilitation services; 
• Maintains accurate and timely documentation of evaluations, treatment plans, interventions, and patient progress in compliance with established standards; 
• Participates in quality improvement initiatives and attends required meetings, clinics, and patient care conferences; 
• Represents the Medical Therapy Program in the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process, collaborating with school personnel and families; and  
• Performs other related duties as required.

At the Senior Occupational Therapist/ Rehabilitation Therapist-PDP IV level, in addition to the above duties, the senior level also:

• Serves as a clinical resource and mentor, providing advanced consultation, training and support to the therapy staff; 
• Reviews evaluations, treatment plans, and documentation to ensure quality of care and compliance with applicable standards and regulations; 
• Assumes lead responsibilities in the absence of supervisor, including coordinating staff activities and maintaining continuity of services; 

These are entrance requirements to the exam process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, and EXPERIENCE:
 
Occupational Therapist/Rehabilitation Therapist PDP-III:
A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited school of occupational therapy or proof of equivalency, AND
Must obtain a certificate from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy within the probationary period. 

Senior Occupational Therapist/Rehabilitation Therapist PDP-IV:
A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited school of occupational therapy or proof of equivalency, AND
Two (2) years of experience as an occupational therapist OR successful completion of an internship program with the hiring department or an equivalent training program and one (1) year of experience as an occupational therapist.
 
Necessary Special Requirements:

• Must possess a current valid California Occupational Therapist license at time of hire (Occupational Therapist) OR application (Senior Occupational Therapist) and maintain it as a condition of continued employment.
• Possession of a current valid certificate from the National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) OR must be eligible to apply for and obtain a certificate from the NBCOT within the probationary period (Rehabilitation Therapist PDP III/IV)
• Possession of a current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation certificate by date of hire. Once obtained, it is a condition of continued employment. 
• Must possess the physical ability to lift and carry 50 pounds. 
• Live Scan fingerprinting may be required for some positions. 
• Possession of a valid California driver license and proof of auto insurance at the time of hire.

Desired:

• Experience working with the pediatric population.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Working to thorough knowledge of (depending on level in the series):

• Human anatomy, physiology, and child development, 
• Up-to-date occupational therapy evaluation and assessment tools,  
• Durable medical equipment, 
• Evidence based pediatric intervention and occupational therapy techniques, and
• Individualized Education Programs (IEP) and their roles in pediatric therapy services:  

Working ability to: 

• Evaluate patients from birth to age 21 and develop effective treatment plans, functional goals and home exercise/activity program, 
• Adhere to clinical and programmatic documentation standards, 
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with clients, families, physicians, and team members,
• Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing, 

• Plan, coordinate, and oversee the work of others, and
• Understand and address the sensory, social, and occupational needs of children and youth living with complex medical conditions and physical disabilities and support their caregivers.
• Travel as needed on assignment while safely operating a vehicle. 

FINAL FILING DATE: This is a continuous recruitment and may close at any time; therefore, apply as soon as possible if you are interested. Your application must be received by County of Ventura Human Resources in Ventura, California, no later than 5:00 p.m. on the closing date.

To apply on-line, please refer to our web site at hr.venturacounty.gov. If you prefer to fill out a paper application form, please call (805) 677-5184 for application materials and submit them to County of Ventura Human Resources-Health Care Agency, 646 County Square Drive, Ventura, CA 93003.
 
Note to Applicants:  It is essential that you complete all sections of your application and supplemental questionnaire thoroughly and accurately to demonstrate your qualifications. A resume and/or other related documents may be attached to supplement the information in your application and supplemental questionnaire; however, it/they may not be submitted in lieu of the application.
 
LATERAL TRANSFER OPTION:  If presently permanently employed in another "merit" or "civil service" public agency/entity in the same or substantively similar position as is advertised, and if appointed to that position by successful performance in a "merit" or "civil service" style examination, then appointment by "Lateral Transfer" may be possible.  If interested, please click here for additional information.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE – Qualifying:  All applicants are required to complete and submit the questionnaire for this exam at the time of filing. The supplemental questionnaire may be used throughout the exam process to assist in determining each applicant's qualifications and acceptability for the position. Failure to complete and submit the questionnaire may result in the application being removed from consideration.

APPLICATION EVALUATION – 100%:  An application evaluation will be conducted to determine whether each applicant possesses the required licensure, certification, and experience for this recruitment. Those candidates who meet the requirements will be placed on the eligible list.

Applicants successfully completing the exam process may be placed on an eligible list for a period of one (1) year.
 
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION:  A thorough pre-employment, post offer background investigation which may include inquiry into past employment, education, and driving record may be required for this position.
 
For further information about this recruitment, please contact Erin Niemi by e-mail at [email protected] or by telephone at (805) 654-2568.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:
The County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.