Occupational Therapist PD

"Cottage is looking for a flexible, creative, and driven pediatric outpatient occupational therapist with a specialty in feeding therapy. In this position, you will be seeing pediatric clients with a variety of diagnoses who struggle with independence in feeding. This may be due to sensory processing challenges, oral aversion, eating disorders, or anatomical/physiological differences.

Following clinical qualifications and experience:

Pediatric Clinical Expertise: Over one year of experience working with pediatric clients, ranging from ages 1 to 18.

Feeding Therapy Experience: Proficient in treating children with feeding challenges, including oral aversion, eating disorders, autism spectrum disorders, and those with G-tubes or gastrointestinal and sensory issues. While an additional certification in feeding isn't required, it is preferred.

Sensory Integration Experience: Candidate will have an understanding of sensory systems and how they impact independence in ADL & IADL engagement for children. Candidate will also be proficient in treating children who have sensory processing challenges.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Strong communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with other therapists, dieticians, and physicians to deliver holistic, patient-centered care.

Desired Applicant Attributes and Therapeutic Approach:

Child-Led: Prioritizes the child's needs, mood, and preferences in therapy rather than directing therapy with the exact plans of the therapist. It is important to develop a safe therapeutic environment for children to learn, play, and grow.

Flexible: Adapts to dynamic needs of the child, which may fluctuate with each subsequent visit. Be able to change plans quickly to accommodate the child and maximize the therapeutic benefit of the session.

Resourceful: Skilled at developing innovative solutions and utilizing available resources to overcome challenges, ensuring optimal outcomes for patients even in complex situations.

Sensory-Based: Understand and prioritize the importance of sensory processing in the feeding experience.

Advocate: Strong proponent of patient rights and well-being. Able to appropriately communicate with families and providers to advocate for patients' rights.

Self-Sufficient: Capable of working independently with minimal supervision.

Organized: Able to manage time, caseloads, and treatment planning effectively.

Creative: Brings innovative ideas to foster engaging, fun therapy sessions.

Effective Communicator: Excellent verbal and written communication skills in order to effectively educate patients and their families."

QUALIFICATIONS

All job qualifications listed indicate the minimum level necessary to perform this job proficiently.

LEVEL OF EDUCATION

Minimum: Graduation from an accredited school of Occupational Therapy (Master's Degree, or Bachelor's Degree with equivalent experience).

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Minimum: License applicant for the state of California (currently holds out-of-state license) licensed applicant or licensed as a Occupational Therapist in the State of California, American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) certified. Pediatric Specialty Clinics: CCS paneling within 6 months. Outpatient Therapy treating CCS clients: CCS paneling within 6 months.

Preferred: Valid CA Driver's License. Outpatient or Hand Therapy: Certification in Physical Agent Modalities (PAMS) and Certification in Hand Therapy by California Board of Occupational Therapy (CBOT)

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

Minimum: Knowledge of occupational therapy techniques and modalities. Knowledge of body mechanics, including procedure for handling and moving patients. Basic computer skills for chart review and documentation in electronic medical record.

YEARS OF RELATED WORK EXPERIENCE

Minimum: Entry level to 6 months of experience as a licensed Occupational Therapist. Pediatric and / or Neonatal Intensive Care Units (PICU, NICU): Pediatric, PICU, NICU experience and completed competency with clinical leadership.