Occupational Therapist

(re)MIND®/BEAM San Mateo

San Mateo County

Agency Overview
Founded in 1889, the Felton Institute (formerly Family Service Agency of San Francisco) has a history of innovation in services for vulnerable children, families, and adults. Felton’s mission is to respond to human needs with cutting edge social services and treatment that combine the best social science research with cultural sensitivity, a deep respect for the consumer, and a commitment to social justice. With over 46 programs in 15 languages at sites throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and surrounding counties, our comprehensive array of services reaches across all racial, ethnic, cultural, and linguistic lines. Felton offers a dynamic, challenging, and supportive work environment where staff is encouraged to increase their skills and enter new domains.

Program Description
Felton Institute’s Early Psychosis award winning program (re)MIND® (formerly PREP) was originally developed in partnership with the University of California San Francisco (UCSF). Felton’s (re)MIND® is an early psychosis coordinated specialty care model for early detection and treatment of schizophrenia spectrum disorders. (re)MIND® core evidence-based practices include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Psychosis (CBTp), Strength‐Based Care Management, Multi‐family Group Therapy, Peer Support, Algorithm-Based Medication Management and Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model of supported education and employment. The (re)MIND® model has two additional components, Felton BEAM and BEAM UP, for individuals diagnosed with bipolar or mood disorders with psychosis and for individuals at clinical high risk of developing psychosis, respectively. Funded through partnerships with county behavioral health departments, the Felton Early Psychosis Division operates outpatient coordinated specialty care for early psychosis programs in San Francisco, Alameda, San Mateo, Monterey, and Marin, and offers excellent training and workforce development.

Position Overview

The Occupational Therapist works as part of a multidisciplinary team and is responsible for specialty cognitive, sensory, and functional living skills remediation. This includes evaluating the strengths and needs of clients using occupational therapy evaluations; developing OT specific treatment goals collaboratively with clients and team members; and providing therapeutic interventions that target functional impairments impacted by symptoms like psychosis, mood, and additional issues that may impact recovery (such as trauma, substance use, interpersonal problems, and environmental stressors, etc.). The Occupational Therapist is expected to provide services to clients in both the office and in the community (homes, schools, libraries, etc.). The Occupational Therapist reports to the Clinical Program Manager.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities (Essential Functions)

• Meet regularly with clients and their families at office site, on the phone, via telehealth and in the community.
• Conduct occupational therapy assessment interviews and evaluations with clients and parents to provide clinical recommendations on housing placement, accommodations at school, work or home, remediation strategies and to develop occupational therapy specific treatment goals.
• Provide evidence-based treatment intervention, including family psychoeducation, case management, functional rehabilitation, CBT, DBT, MI, groups, ADL/IADL/Independence Skill Teaching and Crisis Intervention primarily in community settings.
• Assist clients with accessing needed services that may include medical, benefits, employment, housing, etc.
• Collaborate closely with community providers; make referrals to other community and mental health agencies.
• Maintain clinical records within 24 hours of each client contact or service, in accordance with mandated quality assurance standards for Medi-Cal and Medicare billing as well as in compliance with County Behavioral Health documentation standards.
• Meet all deadlines and comply with agency's documentation requirements and productivity standards.
• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team. Attend and contribute to team meetings and case conferences, providing client updates, discussing clinical issues and exchanging ideas.
• Attend all scheduled trainings and follow requirements to maintain competency in evidence-based practices, as indicated.
• Engage in outreach events, including psychoeducational presentations, open houses, and provide information about early intervention for psychosis to other mental health providers and general public as needed.
• Occasional evening and weekend availability may be required.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy required. Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational Therapy accepted if obtained before entry-level master’s degree was standardized. Degree must be from an occupational therapy program accredited jointly by the Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation of the AMA and the AOTA.
• Licensure in good standing with the California Board of Occupational Therapy (CBOT) required.Two years of experience providing direct mental health services to youth or young adult with serious mental health challenges required. Direct service experience in an early psychosis programs a plus.
• Personal or family experience of overcoming mental health challenges highly desirable.Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and ability to type 45 WPM.
• Valid California Drivers’ License with an excellent driving record.
• Bilingual/bi-cultural in Spanish preferred but candidates with other Bilingual/bi-cultural background also welcome to apply.

Competencies

• Strong functional assessment skills (ACLS-5, Sensory Profile, COPM, etc.) and well-developed interviewing skills.
• Knowledge of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and treatment of co-occurring mental health and substance use disorder preferred. CBT for Psychosis (CBTp) training is a plus.
• Knowledge of respective county behavioral health department, community resources, and EHR system.
• Knowledge of county, state and federal requirements for documentation and reporting, including MediCal/MediCare standards, CPT codes, etc.
• Ability to establish trusting, hopeful relationships with clients and their families.
• Openness to learning and implementing evidenced-based practices to fidelity required.
• Customer service perspective and strength-based approach to treatment.
• Demonstrated ability to interact with and respect differences of opinion, beliefs, culture, appearance, and ways of life.
• Excellent communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, ability to prioritize tasks, and manage time effectively.
• Demonstrated experience as a team player with a welcoming attitude.
• Adaptable, open to change, and able to tolerate ambiguity.

Physical Requirements, Use of Equipment, and Work Environment:

The position requires sitting at a desk approximately 60% of the time, with standing 20% and walking or driving 20% of the time. Ability to perform routine bending, stooping, twisting, and reaching. Lifting may be required occasionally of no more than 20 lbs at a time. Approximately 60% of the time the employee uses a computer, keyboard, mouse, telephone, mobile phone, fax machine, copier, and video conferencing equipment. 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. The work is performed in an office environment and/or at various community locations and requires local travel.