Occupational Therapist

Agency Dept of Health and Human Services Division Child and Family Well Being Job Classification Title Occupational Therapist (NS) Position Number 60040146 Grade MH17 About Us The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest, most complex agencies in the state, and has approximately 17,000 employees. It is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians, providing human service needs for special populations including individuals who are deaf, blind, developmentally disabled, and mentally ill, and helping poor North Carolinians achieve economic independence. Description of Work As a member of a multidisciplinary clinical team the Occupational Therapist provides occupational therapy evaluations and treatment as required and conducts developmental evaluations of 0- 3-year-old children to determine eligibility for the Infant-Toddler Program and to assess child and family needs for early intervention supports and services, including evaluation for appropriate assistive technology. Job Description: Evaluation/Service Planning/Treatment: The Occupational Therapist (OT) functions as a member of a multidisciplinary team and is responsible for conducting Occupational Therapy evaluations and other related assessments to determine eligibility and planning services for children and families receiving early intervention services under the NC Infant Toddler Program. Assessments are typically conducted in the child’s natural environment, although center-based evaluations may occur. Motor/adaptive concerns may be a referral concern, and the OT administers and interprets a variety of evaluation and assessment instruments including standardized instruments. The OT may also screen/assess other developmental domains in order to determine the status of motor/adaptive development in relation to other skill areas and overall levels of functioning. The OT may also provide direct treatment if no other resource for occupational therapy services exists in the CDSA provider network. Responsibilities in the physical domain include evaluating children to determine the degree of developmental delay and implementing a program to improve the child’s ability to function in his/her daily environment. The OT may design, fabricate, fit, and instruct regarding a variety of dynamic, static or functional splints, or adaptive equipment. The OT may be called upon to perform duties in the psychosocial domain, which may include the design and implementation of programs that encourage the infants and toddlers to develop interpersonal and behavioral skills that restore or improve their performance capacities in functional real-life tasks and situations. Duties in the developmental disabilities area include evaluation through standardized and/or formal testing procedures and behavioral assessments and designing and implementing a treatment program specific to the evaluative findings to habilitate or rehabilitate per the child’s outcomes that will improve functioning. In all areas, the OT is expected to integrate the family into the intervention process and provide coaching on how the parent or other caregiver can facilitate and support skill development on an ongoing basis using the child’s everyday routines. The OT must document activities in progress/billing notes clearly and in a timely fashion. The OT may function as part of the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) team, which includes the family, service coordinator, additional staff as needed and may include other individuals of the family’s choice. The OT interprets evaluation and assessment results and facilitates understanding of how the child’s current skills and abilities may impact daily routines and activities and may assist the family in developing outcomes to be incorporated into the IFSP. The OT may also provide activities appropriate to the individual child which will assist in meeting these outcomes. 10% Consultation and Training: Provides consultation and technical assistance to families and to other community providers in understanding developmental delays, impacts on learning and development, and interpreting assessment results, as requested. Assists with planning and delivery of in-service training to CDSA staff and other provider agencies serving the 0-3 population. 5% Administrative Duties: Maintains client records in accordance with CDSA/ITP and 3rd party reimbursement standards Attends scheduled staff meetings and trainings and completes required daily/monthly documentation activities (e.g. time and travel, billing, etc.). Attends professional development events to stay current on recommended and evidence-based practices. Follows departmental, division, and agency policies and procedures. Performs other related duties as assigned. 5% Other Duties: The Occupational Therapist may participate in Quality Assurance/Improvement activities, such as child record reviews and specific QA/QI initiatives. The Occupational Therapist may act as a representative of the CDSA in providing trainings to families and other agencies on various topics. The Occupational Therapist may represent the CDSA on local boards and committees, as requested by the CDSA Director. Performs other related duties as assigned. Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences Salary Range: $66,696 -$110,049 Candidates now meet the minimum qualifications of a position if they have the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement. The following Management Preferences are not required, but applicants that possess these skills are preferred. Knowledge of the principles, techniques, and methods of occupational therapy as applicable to children birth to three, including sensory integration, self-help, fine motor, positioning, social-emotional, assistive technology and oral-motor skills. Working knowledge of Assistive Technology options and devices for this population. Skills in the design and fabrication of a variety of splints and self-help devices specific to individual patients. Ability to evaluate patient response and progress and to present evaluative reports in case staffing and multi-disciplinary team meetings. Ability to work effectively with patients, patients' families, medical personnel, and other CDSA staff members, and to deal professionally and tactfully with the public. Experience in a multi-disciplinary team setting, as well as experience with pediatrics is preferred. Physical Requirements: Ability to travel to homes, childcare centers, and community settings to provide services. Ability to sit, stand, bend, reach, and move about in a variety of environments, including floor‑level interaction with infants and toddlers. Ability to lift and carry materials and equipment up to 20-25 pounds. Ability to observe, assess, and interact with children in natural environments, which may require getting on the floor, kneeling, or positioning oneself at a child's level. Ability to communicate effectively in person, by phone, and in writing. Ability to operate a computer and mobile devices for documentation and communication. Ability to drive and maintain a valid driver's license for field-based service delivery. *Posting closes at 11:59 p.m. the night before the end date About the NC Division of Child and Family Well-Being: The Division of Child and Family Well-Being (DCFW) brings together complementary NC Department of Health and Human services to support North Carolina’s children growing up safe, healthy, and thriving in nurturing and resilient families and communities. Compensation and Benefits: The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits. Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis). Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave. In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees. Supplemental Contact Information: The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer that embraces an Employment First philosophy, which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws, and Executive Orders. We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process or while on the job. For more information about DHHS: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/. DHHS uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals. Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position. In accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order 303, our agency supports second-chance employment for individuals who were previously incarcerated or justice-involved. We invite all potential applicants to apply for positions for which they may be qualified. Application Process Be sure to complete the application in its entirety. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application. Information should be provided in the appropriate areas, to include the following: Education, including high school and all degrees obtained, Work Experience, and Certificates & Licenses. It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive candidate information. Answers to Supplemental Questions are not a substitute for providing all relevant information within the body of your application. To receive credit for the supplemental questions, you must provide supporting information within the "Work Experience" section of the application to support your answers. If multiple applications are submitted to an individual posting, only the most recent application received prior to the closing date will be accepted. Applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM on the closing date. Applicants may be subject to a criminal background check. All candidates selected for positions considered "Positions of Trust" will be subject to a criminal background check. Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account. Upon the closing date, applications are "Under Review" and will be screened by Human Resources for qualified applicants. The hiring process may take several weeks. Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts and degree evaluations may be uploaded with your application. The State of North Carolina/Office of State Human Resources uses the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) as a referral resource for applicants who need to have their credentials certified as equivalent. For a list of organizations that perform this specialized service, please visit the NACES membership website at https://www.naces.org/members. Degree/College Credit Verification Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts, degree evaluations and cover letters may be uploaded with your application. Veterans’ and National Guard Preference Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Member-4 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications. Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach an NGB 23A (RPAS), along with the state application, if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing. Applicants who are former members of either the NC Army National Guard or the NC Air National Guard, with honorable discharge and six years of creditable service, must attach a copy of their DD 256 or NGB 22, along with the state application. ADA Accommodations Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), DHHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, DHHS will ensure that people with disabilities, or known limitations covered by the PWFA, are provided with reasonable accommodation. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the person indicated below. CONTACT INFORMATION: If there are any questions about this posting, please contact Talent Acquisition at talentacquisition@dhhs.nc.gov. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application. Minimum Education and Experience Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details. Licensed to practice as an Occupational Therapist in the State of North Carolina. EEO Statement The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices. Recruiter: Charlene Michele Moore Email: talentacquisition@dhhs.nc.gov North Carolina State Government is one of the state’s largest employers, with over 76,000 employees all working toward a common goal: a safer and stronger North Carolina. We are a large organization comprised of various agencies, offices, and universities, each providing important public services. Eligible state employees are entitled to comprehensive benefits, including a variety of leave options, professional development opportunities, insurance, and more. To learn more about the benefits of being a North Carolina state employee, visit the N.C. Office of State Human Resources' website. Permanent, temporary, and time-limited state government jobs can be found from the mountains to the coast. Find your next opportunity today! State Application Resources/Frequently Asked Questions Valuing Education and Experience The State of North Carolina values the knowledge and experience of our jobseekers and current state employees. Approximately 91 percent of state job classifications allow experience to be substituted for education or do not require a post-secondary degree. Learn more about how you may qualify for a position through education or directly related experience, or a combination of both, with the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide. All job postings close at 11:59pm the night before the End Date on the posting. Introduce yourself to our recruiters and we'll get in touch if there's a role that seems like a good match. If you are already a state employee, please search for jobs by clicking here.

Salary : $66,696 - $110,049