Occupational Therapist

Location: Bakersfield, CA 

Job Type:  Full-Time & Part-Time

Salary: $108,160-$120,640

Who We Are

Are you interested in working for an organization whose mission is to enable frail, underserved, and multicultural senior communities to live independently at home and in their communities, for as long as possible?

Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) is dedicated to providing its participants with comprehensive health and social supports that are proven to effectively manage chronic conditions and to reduce the risk for premature institutionalization. PACE staff are leaders in the “aging in place” industry and we have had the honor of serving Fresno, Bakersfield and Orange County seniors and their families/caregivers

Job Summary

The Occupational Therapist (OT) is responsible for providing occupational therapy services to participants of PACE. Travel may be necessary to support all PACE sites.

Essential Job Functions:  

• Participate as a member of the interdisciplinary team (IDT) and complete initial, semi-annual, unscheduled, and annual assessments; attend morning updates and report changes in participants’ baseline status to appropriate staff on a daily basis.

• Involved in the development and implementation of Quality Improvement (QI) activities.

• Perform intake screenings as assigned and make appropriate recommendations.

• Conduct an initial comprehensive assessment in person, at the requisite intervals, and develop a plan of care for participants on-site,  in hospitals, in nursing facilities, in assisted living facilities and in their homes; Evaluations include, but are not limited to: functional status; physical status; activities of daily living (ADL) status; cognitive functioning; visual-perceptual status; feeding skills; cooking skills; bed mobility; wheelchair needs; and home safety evaluations.

• Provide treatment as indicated.

• Demonstrate an ability to utilize appropriate safety measures when providing care.

• Develop, instruct, and supervise other staff and/or family members on therapy program to be carried out by individuals other than occupational therapist.

• When appropriate, delegate oversight of OT interventions and activities, as determined by IDT on plan of care, to restorative aide in a timely manner.

• Assess durable medical equipment needs for participants. Receive team approval prior to purchase of equipment. Order and follow-up with durable medical equipment (DME) purchases.

• Educate staff, participants, and family on services available through occupational therapy staff.

• Train and supervise restorative aides on site, including all areas of performance consistent with departmental policies; report as required to supervisor regarding these issues.

• Provide training in regards to body mechanics.

• Communicate observed staffing needs/changes and further program development needs to supervisor.

• Review and revise restorative exercises as indicated. 

• Consult with activities department as requested regarding activity adaptations.

• Develop special programs according to participant needs.

• Complete documentation/reports as required.

• Adjust schedules as needed to meet the needs of Innovative Integrated Health participants.

• Maintain confidentiality of participant information.

• Performs skilled treatments at participant’s homes as necessary. 

• Travel may be necessary to support all Innovative Integrated Health (IIH) sites.

• Attend and participate in staff meetings, in-service trainings, projects, and committees as assigned.   

• Adhere to and support the center’s practices, procedures, and policies including assigned break times and attendance.

• Accept assigned duties in a cooperative manner; and perform all other related duties as assigned.

• Be flexible in schedule of hours worked, and in scheduling participants’ treatments to accommodate the participants’ availability.

• May require use of personal vehicle to provide therapy services in participant’s residence. If using a personal vehicle, a valid California Driver’s License is required.

Job Requirements:

Experience

• Minimum of one (1) year of documented experience working with a frail or elderly population.

Education and Certification 

• Current Occupational Therapist license in the State of California.

• CPR with First-Aid certification 

• Is medically cleared for communicable diseases and has all immunizations up-to-date before engaging in direct participant contact.

Core Values

• Respect at the core of our interactions.

• Honesty and Integrity with every endeavor

• Patient – Centered care aligned with participant values, beliefs, and preferences. 

• Encouragement that motivates and empowers others to be the best they can be. 

• Quality Care that is efficient, transformative and innovative.