Occupational Therapist

Title:  Occupational Therapist 
Reports to:  Program Manager
Department:   Early Start Adams
Location:  Los Angeles, CA  90018
FLSA Status:Non-Exempt
Compensation: $35/hr. to $43/hr. DOE
Program Hours:Part Time Monday – Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Based on Family Needs
Supervisory Responsibility:  Certified Occupational Therapist Assistants

Who We Are:

ECF was founded in 1946 by a group of parents and community activists who sought to establish a day training program as an alternative to institutional care for individuals with developmental disabilities. For the last 75 years we have worked to improve the lives of children, youth and adults in the Los Angeles County area by offering a wide range of experiences and opportunities to encourage individuals to discover and develop their unique talents and abilities. The mission of ECF is to provide the highest quality services for children and adults who are challenged with developmental, learning, and emotional barriers — empowering them to reach their greatest potential.

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the supervision of the program manager, assist in evaluating and developing an appropriate treatment method for consumers ages birth to five years.

Essential Duties:

• Use standard developmental assessments and direct observation to determine the child’s readiness for the Infant Development Program.  Prepare child’s program goals using assessment results, testing tools and materials, and input from staff and parents.  Administer other evaluations which may include: feeding, neurological, and reflex. 
• Be responsible for individual case load at separate satellite programs of the Infant Development Program.  Act as a consulting OTR in some satellites when necessary.  Keep records on each child including medical records, daily notes, and goals. 
• Develop a curriculum based on individual plan and goals that includes instructional grouping patterns and reinforcement techniques.  Make or otherwise secure instructional materials based on client’s goals and objectives.  Modify curriculum and materials as needed to achieve client’s success.  Prepare weekly lesson and activity plans that employ a balance between established routines and novel activities.  Understand components of classroom climate and create and maintain an environment that is attractive, safe, and conducive to learning. Carry out curriculum within the structure of daily group sessions. 
• Function as a member of the trans-disciplinary team.  With other team members and parents, develop referral sources for children after three years of age.  This may include visits to other programs and schools to assess appropriateness of curriculum for child’s developmental level.  Assist child and family during the transition period.  Evaluate children who have left the program as part of follow-up study if and when required.
• Create or follow existing treatment plan for the child’s individual goals in all facets of development including: Gross Motor, Personal-Social, Fine Motor – Adaptive, Feeding Techniques, Language, Self-help skills, Behavior, and Socialization. Identify special needs of the child and request consultation regarding diet and nutrition or medical problems.
• Organize and implement a home visit program for children unable to attend group setting and a continuing program of parent education, dealing with special topics of parental concern as they arise, by site.
•  Plan individual programs, conduct case management, and evaluate progress.  Employ trans-disciplinary approach to programming, conferring with team members and specialists.  Conduct assessments, determine goals and objectives, and track due dates for same.  Maintain a telephone log of all client-related calls in each client’s file. 
• Regularly update staff and parents regarding techniques used with their child to assist with development and manage challenges.  Collaborate with staff to plan parental approaches and courses of action to deal with specific parent/child difficulties.

Other Duties

• Comply with ECF’s Injury and Illness Prevention Program.  Ensure safe use and operation of tools and/or equipment.
• Comply with ECF policies and procedures, including mandated reporting requirements.
• Attend staff meetings and in-service sessions.
• Observe regular, on-site work hours.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Licenses/Certifications: Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy.  California License in Occupational Therapy. Current registration with American Occupational Therapist Association.

Experience: One year as an OT working with children ages birth to five years.

 Knowledge/Abilities/Skills:

• Ability to administer the Gesell Developmental Test.
• Ability to communicate effectively using tact and diplomacy at all times.
• Ability to take the initiative and use sound judgment when making decisions.
• Ability to maintain confidences and confidentiality.
• Ability to work well in a team-oriented environment.
• Good organizational skills.
• Computer skills required for report writing.
• Basic knowledge of the skills of the other team members.
• Bilingual skills (English/Spanish or English/Armenian) highly preferred

REQUIREMENTS

• Driving is an essential function of this position.  Proof of valid California driver’s license, reliable transportation, evidence of state-mandated car insurance, and insurable driving record are required.  While driving for work, should a need arise, the employee’s insurance is deemed primary and ECF’s coverage is secondary. 

  Driving Disclaimer- Employees driving for company business must maintain a clean record and operate vehicles safely and responsibly. Company vehicles will be monitored and activity recorded. Violations of the driving policy may result in disciplinary action, including suspension of driving privileges, reassignment, or termination.

• Provide evidence of a negative TB test initially and every three years thereafter.
• Pass a pre-employment physical.
• Obtain and maintain First Aid and CPR certification.

This is a program for infants and toddlers (age’s birth to 36 months) who have varying degrees of learning, behavioral, emotional, and developmental disabilities.  Employees may encounter children who are in crisis, exhibiting emotional/psychological distress, or behaving in an aggressive manner.  Work is performed at the child’s home.  Environment may include frequent interruptions, loud noise, odors, varying indoor temperature, and drafts. Outdoor temperature and weather will vary.  Employees may not be in a room alone with a child unless the door or blinds are open.  Children must never be left unattended.  

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential responsibilities and functions of the job and are not meant to be all inclusive. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential responsibilities and functions of the job.

 Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and to use standard office equipment, including a computer, and to attend meetings at various sites.

• Ability to communicate in person and over the telephone.
• Require the use of hands to produce records and/or documentation in manual or electronic format.
• Regular use of vision to read printed materials, computer screen, and supervise children.
• Regularly required to bend, squat, reach, kneel, stand, walk, sit, and push/pull and lift equipment and children up to 30 lbs.
• Regularly required to travel to various sites within Los Angeles County.
• Ability to implement First Aid and CPR.

Equal Opportunity Employer:
Exceptional Children’s Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.  We are on a mission to support independence, belonging and community. We strive to build a culture that is safe, respectful, fair, and supportive of all employees. We are proud to employ people of all backgrounds who possess the talent, energy, and focus to accelerate our vision forward.

Employment with Exceptional Children’s Foundation, aka ECF is at-will employment which means that ECF or the employee may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause, and with or without advance notice. ECF holds the right to modify the terms of employment, including but not limited to, job descriptions, duties, schedules, compensation, work locations, procedures, guidelines, practices or employee benefit programs with or without advance notice. I acknowledge and understand that the at-will nature of my employment relationship with ECF can only be changed by an express written agreement signed by the President/CEO of ECF and me.