Job Summary and Responsibilities
As a Clinical Specialist - Occupational Therapy, you will be a central figure specializing in providing expert occupational therapy assessment and advanced therapeutic interventions to complex patient populations, driving exceptional outcomes and specialized program development. You will play a vital leadership role in advancing occupational therapy practice and contributing to holistic patient recovery.
Every day, you will meticulously conduct comprehensive evaluations, develop highly individualized and evidence-based treatment plans, and skillfully implement specialized therapies for patients with complex functional needs. You will also provide expert consultation to the interdisciplinary team, mentor junior therapists, participate in program development and quality improvement initiatives, and maintain meticulous documentation, ensuring adherence to the highest professional standards and regulatory guidelines.
To be successful in this role, you will combine an active Occupational Therapist (OTR/L) license, a relevant Masters or Doctoral degree, and extensive advanced clinical experience in a specialized area of OT practice (e.g., neurological rehabilitation, hand therapy, oncology). You will demonstrate exceptional clinical reasoning, strong leadership qualities, outstanding communication skills, and thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment dedicated to advancing occupational therapy excellence and optimizing patient quality of life.
Abuse Protection and Reporting
Identifies and reports patient abuse and neglect, including: • Physical assault • Domestic abuse • Neglect of elders and children
Measurement: • Feedback • Chart Review • Observation
Annual Performance Evaluations
Conducts annual performance reviews as assigned by Therapy Manager/Supervisor and works to assist other speech therapists in improving job performance.
Measurement: • Feedback • Observation
Assessment
Accurately identifies patients functional deficits/dysfunction through: • Review of the medical record • Observation of the patient • Information obtained from the patient/family • Assessment of expressive/receptive language, motor speech, cognitive/linguistic hearing, voice and swallowing, and other speech therapy assessment techniques
Measurement: • Accurately interprets the physicians order
Bedside Swallow Assessment
Accurately identifies signs and symptoms of dysphagia and the patients functional deficits/dysfunction with swallowing through: • Review of the medical record • Observation of the patient • Information obtained from the patient/family/staff • Oral-pharyngeal and respiratory examination • Trial feed assessments and other occupational therapy assessment techniques
Measurement: • Discussion • Feedback • Chart Review • Observation
Communication
Communicates regularly with other members of the healthcare team regarding goals, progress, and rehab potential. Works as a collaborative member of the treatment team.
Measurement: • Feedback • Observation
Continuing Education
Maintains current skills and competency by attending at least one continuing education course annually and at least 1 department/hospital inservice a month.
Measurement: • Observation
Job Requirements
Required:
• High School Graduate • Minimum of five (5) years clinical experience • Evidence of extensive training in a given specialty area • Specialty areas may include but not be limited to: • Neuro rehabilitation • Orthopedics • Pediatrics • Swallowing • Hand rehabilitation • Pain management and work hardening • High School GED • Occupational Therapist: CA • Basic Life Support - CPR
Where Youll Work
St. John's Regional Medical Center, located in Oxnard, California, is a recognized as a Top 250 Hospital in the Nation and as one of America's 100 Best Hospitals for Cardiac Care by Healthgrades. St. John's Regional is a part of Dignity Health's Southern California Division and is a member of CommonSpirit Health, the largest not-for-profit health care system in the nation, boasting an integrated network of top quality hospitals, with physicians from the most prestigious medical schools, and comprehensive outpatient services - all recognized for quality, safety, and service. Each hospital is supported by an active philanthropic Foundation to help meet the growing health care needs of our communities. Learn more here at www.dignityhealth.org/StJohnsRegional.
One Community. One Mission. One California