Occupational Therapist

Special Service for Groups, Inc.
Job Announcement

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Title: Occupational Therapist                                                 Division: HOPICS
FLSA: Non-Exempt/Full Time (40)                                       Supervisor: HRP Program Manager
Pay Range: $41.00- $46.00 Per hour                                     Revised: 03.18.2025
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Summary
Under the supervision of the Program Manager and the Assoc Dir for Health Services, the Incumbent (Occupational Therapist) will provide services within their scope of practice to clients see by the Encampment MAT team, and the Street Medicine tea, to help provide street-based support and rehabilitation to clients experiencing homelessness. This will be performed in accordance with physician orders and plan of care.

Essential Functions

• Provide OT services to clients living on the streets, in Interim Housing, motels and other non-traditional living situations.
• Return the individual to optimum and productive living within the patient’s capabilities.
• Provide prescribed occupational therapy services.
• Communicate daily with the subcontracted MAT and Street Medicine team, including the MAT Coordinator
• Responsible for initial OT assessment, plan of care, maintenance program development and modifications and reassessments every 30 days
• Consult with physicians regarding changes in treatment.
• Write reports to physicians regarding patient’s progress.
• Assist in scheduling Street Medicine visits to maximize efficiency
• Coordinate with Harm Reduction teams to coordinate primary care visits from the Street Medicine team
• When necessary, assist the Street Medicine team in the field to coordinate with clients
• Identify system gaps as they arise to assist in providing on-going program quality improvement
• Assist with special outreach projects as they arise, and perform all duties as assigned, as directed by the Program Manager, the Associate Director for Health Services, the Deputy Directors, or the Director of HOPICS.
• Foster and maintain professional relationships with community organizations, local partner agencies, community leaders, stakeholders, and local authorities.
• Regularly attend meetings centered on street medicine
• Respectfully and professionally collect data in the field, and document consistently in accordance with the needs of the physicians, internal data tracking, and funder requirements
• Incumbent employees will participate in all required meetings, training, and collaborations within the Street Medicine and MAT programs and be prepared to discuss, educate, present or evaluate the nature and progress of presenting client issues
• The staff will attend other meetings, training sessions, seminars, as needed to effectively perform duties affiliated with this position
• Incumbents will participate in regular supervision
• Incumbent will assume other tasks as assigned and required for this position assigned by the AD for Health Services
• Incumbents will participate in all mandatory programs, division meetings and training courses (which includes offsite meetings and training), as assigned by their Program Manager, Associate Director, Deputy Director, Division Director, and Agency Director.
• Incumbents may need to utilize their own vehicle for field coordination, or travel to training and meetings
• Incumbent will build rapport with individuals and staff of various community organizations that serve the primary care needs of people experiencing homelessness
• Incumbents must have the ability to work evenings, overtime, weekends, or holidays when necessary for program success.
• Incumbent will maintain appropriate boundaries and adhere to SSG’s Code of Ethics and HOPICS’ Core Values, and will uphold HOPICS and SSG values, policies, procedures and principles, and the SSG mission statement.
• Incumbent will represent the Agency and Division in a professional manner at meetings and community events
• The incumbent will maintain regular attendance, maintain files/records on client services in compliance with HIPAA & CFR42 and other funding requirements for auditing purposes. Incumbent will ensure that all client records/documentation are submitted, or a plan arranged to send them in, if the incumbent resigns from this position.
• Perform other duties as assigned by their Program Manager, Associate Director, Deputy Director, and/or Division Director as needed.
• Provide support for the administrative and data-related Information Technology Department functions.

Minimum Qualifications - Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required
Graduate of an Occupational Therapy curriculum accredited by the Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation of the American Medical Association and the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and/or certified by successfully completing the National Certification examination. Currently licensed and in good standing with the California Board of Occupational Therapy. Two (2) years’ experience, preferred. Bilingual English/Spanish preferred. Must have the ability to work with clients from diverse cultural, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds; ability to work with homeless clients in the field; neat and professional appearance; attention to detail and punctuality required; be comfortable interacting with co-occurring populations that present with any stand alone or combination of mental illness, health conditions, substance related concerns, and a history of developmental and learning disorders. Incumbent must be able to report in accordance with the law all legal issues that surface (i.e., Tarasoff, child abuse, vulnerable adult abuse, danger to self/others and grave disability, etc.). Incumbents must be able to coordinate the submission of client documentation if unable to work; If in recovery, a minimum of three (3) years of being drug and alcohol free is required. You must be able to produce verification of Employment Eligibility and pass a Background Clearance. TB test required (not more than (3) months prior to or (7) days after Date of Hire, and renewed annually thereafter), CPR and First Aid Certification required within 30 days of employment with company. Incumbents must have and maintain a valid CA Driver’s License and auto insurance and have reliable transportation. Incumbents must maintain and uphold Agency mission statement, values, policies, procedures, and principles.

Supervisory Responsibilities:
This position does not have any supervisory responsibilities.

Environmental Conditions (Working Conditions)
The staff must be able to work in a variety of environments, including homeless encampments, in all areas of Service Planning Area 6. This position will require some interaction with homeless/non-homeless individuals, individuals with substance use disorders, severe physical and mental disabilities, the possibility of meeting individuals with infectious diseases, stray animals, moving vehicles, and other possible dangers associated with working in areas of extreme poverty.  You may be exposed to aggressive/hostile clients. Incumbents must be ready to deal with traumas which may trigger personal trauma; must work in conjunction with other collaborative staff members. Local automobile travel will be required. Incumbents must be able to work in noisy environments where adults are free to talk loudly and expressively. Incumbent must be able to work effectively and produce quality work under pressure. While driving to training or performing other duties there may be exposure to weather conditions prevalent at the time, noise, moving vehicles, high crime rate areas, odors, fumes, pollen etc.

Physical Requirements
The Incumbent typically spends time sitting, standing, typing, thinking, writing, walking, driving, carrying (max. 25 lbs.), listening, and speaking.

Mental Requirements
The Incumbent to be able to perform effectively under all the following: unpredictable situations, crises, constant distractions, interruptions, uncontrollable changes in priorities/work schedules; be able to process information, think and conceptualize. You must be able to effectively deal with personal trauma that may be triggered.
 

Special Service for Groups is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer