Occupational Therapist

Full-time position with days off on Saturday and Sunday. Shift is daytime with flexibility based on candidate preference: 9:00am - 5:00pm, 8:30am - 4:30pm, or 10:00am - 6:00pm.

About DESC

Recognized nationally as an innovator and leader in developing solutions to homelessness, DESC is a social services organization, supportive housing operator, and licensed behavioral health treatment provider focused on meeting the needs of people experiencing long-term homelessness and living with complex behavioral health and other medical conditions. Approximately 3,000 people are actively receiving services from DESC at any given point in time. Our vision is a community where all people are shown compassion, treated with dignity, and everyone has a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home.

DESC operates five shelter/emergency housing programs, 19 permanent supportive housing facilities with over 1,750 units, several hundred additional scattered site apartments, and a range of behavioral health services including outpatient mental health and substance use disorder treatment, residential crisis stabilization, street outreach, mobile crisis response, and treatment for opioid use disorder.

About the role

DESC is looking for an experienced and enthusiastic occupational therapist to join our growing Division of Occupational Therapy! This unique and exciting opportunity is OT at its finest: collaborating with clients to maximize engagement and independence in meaningful routines and valued occupations. These may include ADLs/IADLs, leisure activities, household management, decreasing substance use, sustaining housing, and community integration.

Our clientele consists of highly vulnerable adults facing significant untreated and undertreated challenges related to mental health and substance use disorders. This is primarily a behavioral health role, but basic knowledge of OT interventions for physical dysfunction is expected. Most services will be provided within the shelter, with additional outreach work conducted as needed to support an individual’s successful transition to permanent supportive housing. Therapy may be conducted individually or in groups. The ideal candidate is innovative, adaptable, and committed to serving the most vulnerable of our community. Preference given to candidates with behavioral health experience. This position will report to the Occupational Therapy Supervisor.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality occupational therapy evaluations and treatment interventions (individual and groups) to clients with serious mental illness, history of incarceration, substance use disorder, and/or history of homelessness. Services may be provided in the shelter or in permanent supportive housing sites.
• Complete written documentation in manner and timeline required by department and agency.
• Develop and maintain strong collaborative relationships with multidisciplinary teams, DESC Housing staff, and community partners to ensure full continuity of care for clients.
• Participate in team meetings, in-services, and agency trainings as assigned.
• Support and participate in departmental operations and development.
• Comply with applicable program research and evaluation procedures.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Licensed by the state of Washington as an Occupational Therapist or has a valid probational certificate issued by the state of Washington to practice occupational therapy.
• Graduation from an accredited Occupational Therapy program.
• Ability to meet Washington Department of Health requirements for registration as a Registered Agency Affiliated Counselor (AAC) or any other superseding credential.
• Interest or experience in working with clients who have difficulty engaging with traditional programs.
• Excellent communication skills and professional work ethic.
• Ability to work effectively with clients displaying a wide range of behaviors.
• Subscribe to the philosophy of cooperation and continuity across programs and of consideration and respect for clients.
• Ability to drive an agency or personal vehicle to conduct agency-related business, including a current Washington State driver's license and insurable driving record.
• BLS/CPR Certification (can be obtained after hire).

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional fluency in a second language besides English.
• Experience working with adults who have experienced homelessness.
• Experience working with adults who have experienced mental health and substance use issues.

Skills

• Innovative and adaptable approach to occupational therapy.
• Strong collaboration and relationship-building skills.
• Commitment to serving vulnerable populations.

Benefits

• Medical insurance (no premiums/payroll deductions for employee coverage).
• Dental insurance.
• Life insurance.
• Long-term disability insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
• ORCA card subsidy.
• Paid Time Off (34 days per year).
• Retirement Plan.

This position is part of a union represented by SEIU Healthcare 1199NW.

Pay

$108,556.56 - $119,855.04 annually

Physical Demands

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.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be required to sit, drive, walk, stand, communicate with other employees and vendors, lift and carry items weighing up to 25 pounds, and operate computer hardware systems.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Considerable stress may occur.
• Employees will be working both indoors and outdoors in all types of weather.