Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)

Job Title

Days Off: Saturday, Sunday

Shift: Office Day

Insurance Benefits: Medical (no premiums/payroll deductions for employee coverage), Dental, Life, Long-term Disability

Other Benefits: Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Flexible Spending Account (FSA), ORCA card subsidy, Paid Time Off (34 days per year), Retirement Plan

Union Representation: This position is a part of a union and is represented by SEIU Healthcare 1199NW.

About DESC

DESC (Downtown Emergency Service Center) is a nonprofit organization working to help people with the complex needs of homelessness, substance use disorders, and serious mental illness achieve their highest potential for health and well-being through comprehensive services, treatment, and housing. Our vision is a community where no person is abandoned, ignored, or experiencing homelessness.

As the region's leading provider of services to multiply disabled adults who have experienced chronic homelessness, DESC serves almost 3,000 people each day. Our integrated service model is designed to help people secure and maintain appropriate, safe and affordable housing. DESC is recognized nationally and regionally as an innovator in developing solutions to homelessness.

Job Description

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

The ideal candidate is flexible, innovative, and committed to serving the most vulnerable of our community. Preference given to candidates with behavioral health experience.

Program Descriptions

COAT provides wraparound multidisciplinary services to King County's most vulnerable individuals experiencing frequent jail bookings, behavioral health challenges, and homelessness. Clients typically present with complex behavioral health and physical challenges across broad occupational areas. The multidisciplinary team consists of an occupational therapist, psychotherapist, SUD counselor, Peer counselor, psychiatric RN, psychiatric nurse provider, and case management. Under the supervising OT's plan of care, the COTA will implement occupation-based interventions in a community setting or client's apartment. Interventions include skill development, compensatory strategies, environmental adaptations, and education based on client goals and assessment results.

DESC owns 18 permanent supportive housing sites in King County. Individuals live independently in low-barrier single-occupancy apartments. Case management, medication monitoring, and 24/7 staff assistance are provided. In collaboration with the supervising OT, the COTA will work to support healthful and functional engagement in meaningful occupations including household management, emotional regulation, and positive time use. Treatment sessions may be individual or in therapeutic groups. DESC proudly supports a Housing First model rooted in harm reduction.

This position will report to the Occupational Therapy Supervisor. Affiliated DESC Housing sites are as follows: Hobson Place, Interbay, North Star.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide high quality occupational therapy treatment services (individual and groups) to clients with serious mental illness, history of incarceration, substance use disorder, and/or history of homelessness.
• Implement established patient treatment plan under supervision of an occupational therapist, reporting any changes in client status or needs to supervising therapist in a timely manner.
• Complete written documentation of treatment sessions in manner and timeline required by department and agency.
• Develop and maintain strong collaborative relationships with multidisciplinary teams, DESC Housing staff, and other service and resource organizations to ensure full continuity of care for clients.
• Participate in team meetings, in-services, and agency trainings as assigned.

Other Duties & Responsibilities

• Supports and participates in department operations and development.
• Comply with applicable program research and evaluation procedures.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

• Licensed by the state of Washington as an Occupational Therapist Assistant or has a valid probational certificate issued by the state of Washington to practice occupational therapy.
• Graduation from an accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant Program.
• Interest or experience in working with clients who have difficulty engaging with traditional programs.
• Ability to communicate and work effectively with staff from various backgrounds.
• 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.
• BLS/CPR Certification (can be obtained after hire).

Preferred Qualifications:

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

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, is required to lift and carry items weighing up to 25 pounds and operate computer hardware systems. Specific vision abilities required by the job 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.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

DESC is committed to diversity in the workplace and promotes equal employment opportunities for all staff members and applicants. The Agency will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, caste, marital status, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability in any employment practice, unless based on a bona fide occupational qualification. Minorities and veterans are encouraged to apply.