Occupational Therapist/Senior Occupational Therapist

Salary : $83,261.77 - $133,330.56 Annually
Location : Ventura and Santa Paula, CA
Job Type: Full-Time Regular
Job Number: 1245HCA-25AB (EN)
Department: Health Care Agency
Division: Ventura County Medical Center and/or Santa Paula Hospital
Opening Date: 08/01/2025

Description
THE POSITION
Under general supervision (Occupational Therapist) or direction (Sr Occupational Therapist), the incumbent evaluates, plans, coordinates, and administers occupational therapy programs for the habilitation and rehabilitation of patients by providing services to patients with impairments, functional limitations, disabilities, or a change in activities of daily living functioning and health status.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate is an exceptional occupational therapist who's well-versed in California regulatory standards and the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) guidelines, skilled at evaluating, planning, and implementing therapy programs. They'll collaborate seamlessly with multidisciplinary teams, fabricate adaptive equipment, and provide comprehensive patient and family education. Overall, we seek a compassionate, proactive professional dedicated to top-notch patient care and continuous improvement.

At the Senior level, they'll demonstrate leadership by supervising staff, participating in training, and contributing to departmental planning. Additionally, they will consult with departments, other agency personnel, and necessary patient support members to coordinate their care and clinically supervise the work of staff occupational therapists, certified occupational therapy assistants, aides, volunteers, and students, as needed.

AGENCY/DEPARTMENT: Health Care Agency - Ventura County Medical Center.

APPROXIMATE SALARIESOccupational Therapist: $40.03 - $55.97 per hour
Senior Occupational Therapist: $43.52 - $64.10 per hour

EDUCATIONAL/BILINGUAL INCENTIVE: Incumbents may be eligible for educational incentive of 2.5%, 3.5%, or 5% based on completion of an Associate's, Bachelor's, or Master's degree that is not required for the classification. Incumbents may also be eligible for bilingual incentive depending upon operational need and certification of skill.

Occupational Therapist and Senior Occupational Therapist are represented by the Services Employees International Union (SEIU) and are eligible for overtime compensation.

The eligible list established from this recruitment will be used to fill current and future Regular (including Temporary and Fixed-term), Intermittent, and Extra-help vacancies. There is currently one (1) Intermittent vacancy at VCMC.

NOTE: This is an Intermittent position. An Intermittent Employee is a person employed for intermittent/temporary work on a day-to-day basis. This Intermittent position can be assigned weekends and some shifts during the week.

NOTE: If appointed at the lower level, incumbent may be promoted to the higher level without further examination upon meeting the minimum requirements, demonstrating satisfactory performance, and in accordance with the business needs of the department.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
OPENING DATE: August 01, 2025
CLOSING DATE: Continuous
Examples Of Duties

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Provides occupational therapy services in accordance with the California Business and Professions Code, Occupational Therapy Practice Act, and consistent with the AOTA Standards of Practice for Occupational Therapy;
• Upon physician referral, evaluates, assesses, plans, develops and utilizes occupational therapy programs to meet the functional needs of patients;
• Performs tests and clinical assessments within the scope of occupational therapy;
• Establishes functional goals based on therapist's evaluation, appropriate precautions and in collaboration with the client, family, and physician directing care;
• Collaborates with a multidisciplinary team including physicians, equipment vendors, social workers, nutritionists, patients, and families to manage the rehabilitation program and specialized equipment needs of each patient;
• Attends staff meetings, assigned clinics, and rounds as directed;
• Initiates and maintains medical records of the patients rehabilitation program, status, and progress;
• Coordinates occupational therapy programs with patients, families, and/or caregivers and other team members/agencies involved in the care of assigned patients;
• Evaluates, applies, modifies and fabricates, as needed, specific static and dynamic splints and adaptive equipment to improve functional outcomes;
• Plans general and specific therapeutic exercises and develops customized home exercise/activity programs;
• Provides patient and family education to assist in the achievement of functional goals;
• Participates in the maintenance of equipment and recommending adaptive equipment/supplies;
• Clinically supervises Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants/therapy aides, students and volunteers;
• Assists in the educational process of students and new employees;
• Participates in ongoing quality improvement and organizational performance; and
• Performs other related duties as required.

At the Senior level, duties may also include but are not limited to the following: ?

• Supervises the clinical skills of staff therapists;
• Supervises assistants, aides, volunteers, and clerical staff in the absence of the supervisor; may clinically supervise Occupational Therapists;
• Participates with in-service training;
• Assists in identifying and prioritizing department needs and overall planning; and
• Under supervision, develops and implements department programs.

Typical Qualifications

These are entrance requirements to the exam process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, and EXPERIENCE:

Occupational Therapist:
A Bachelor's degree from an accredited school of occupational therapy or proof of equivalency, AND
Must obtain a certificate from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy within the probationary period.

Senior Occupational Therapist:
A Bachelor's degree from an accredited school of occupational therapy or proof of equivalency, AND
Two (2) years of experience as an occupational therapist OR successful completion of an internship program with the hiring department or an equivalent training program and one (1) year of experience as an occupational therapist.

Necessary Special Requirements:

• Must possess a current valid California Occupational Therapist license at time of hire and maintain it as a condition of continued employment.
• Possession of a current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation certificate by date of hire. Once obtained, it is a condition of continued employment.
• Must possess the physical ability to lift and carry 50 pounds.
• Live Scan fingerprinting may be required for some positions.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :
Thorough knowledge of:

• the AOTA Standards of Practice for Occupational Therapy
• normal human development
• human occupation and physical requirements necessary for functional activities
• self-care skills and therapeutic treatments
• splinting and adaptive equipment
• positioning for optimal function

Additionally, at the Senior level, thorough knowledge of:

• Activity of Daily Living skills and therapeutic treatments
• occupation therapy evaluations, procedures, and treatment programs for physically disabled patients
• the use and maintenance of equipment, especially that involved in Activities of Daily Living
• departmental processes and procedures

Working ability to:

• assess and develop treatment plans appropriate to clients' cognitive abilities and comprehension
• establish effective relationships and communications with patients, staff, and other departments
• make appropriate referrals
• communicate effectively in an oral and written manner

Additionally, at the Senior level, thorough ability to:

• apply and fabricate hand splints
• position patients for optimal functioning
• plan and clinically supervise the work of others

Recruitment Process

FINAL FILING DATE: This is a continuous recruitment and may close at any time; therefore, apply as soon as possible if you are interested. Your application must be received by County of Ventura Human Resources in Ventura, California, no later than 5:00 p.m. on the closing date.

To apply on-line, please refer to our web site at If you prefer to fill out a paper application form, please call (805) 654-5129 for application materials and submit them to County of Ventura Human Resources Health Care Agency, 646 County Square Drive, Ventura, CA 93003.

Note to Applicants: It is essential that you complete all sections of your application and supplemental questionnaire thoroughly and accurately to demonstrate your qualifications. A resume and/or other related documents may be attached to supplement the information in your application and supplemental questionnaire; however, it/they may not be submitted in lieu of the application.

LATERAL TRANSFER OPTION: If presently permanently employed in another "merit" or "civil service" public agency/entity in the same or substantively similar position as is advertised, and if appointed to that position by successful performance in a "merit" or "civil service" style examination, then appointment by "Lateral Transfer" may be possible. If interested, please click here for additional information.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE - Qualifying: All applicants are required to complete and submit the questionnaire for this exam at the time of filing. The supplemental questionnaire may be used throughout the exam process to assist in determining each applicant's qualifications and acceptability for the position. Failure to complete and submit the questionnaire may result in the application being removed from consideration.

APPLICATION EVALUATION - 100%: An application evaluation will be conducted to determine whether each applicant possesses the required licensure, certification, and experience for this recruitment. Those candidates who meet the requirements will be placed on the eligible list.

Applicants successfully completing the exam process may be placed on an eligible list for a period of one (1) year.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: A thorough pre-employment, post offer background investigation which may include inquiry into past employment, education, and driving record may be required for this position.

For further information about this recruitment, please contact Erin Niemi by e-mail at erin.niemi@ventura.org or by telephone at (805) 654-2568.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:
The County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
YOUR BENEFITS AS A COUNTY OF VENTURA EMPLOYEE

Service Employees International Union (LOCAL 721)

(SEIU)

To learn more about Benefits, Retirement, and the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), see links below.

• or you may call (805) 654-2570.

Union Codes: UPA, UPC, UPE, UPH, UPI, UPJ, UPT, UWS
01

Are you willing to accept an Intermittent position as described in the job bulletin?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you possess a current valid California Occupational Therapist license that you will maintain as a condition of continued employment?If "yes", be sure that details are entered in the "Certificates and Licenses" section of your application.

• Yes
• No

03

Have you earned at least a bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy or do you possess proof of equivalence?If so, ensure details are listed in the "Education" section of your application.

• Yes
• No

04

Have you successfully completion of an internship program with Ventura County Medical Center.If "Yes", ensure details have been entered in the "Education" or "Work History" sections of your application.

• Yes
• No

05

Are you willing and able to obtain current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation certificate by date of hire? Please note: once obtained, it is a condition of continued employment.

• Yes
• No

06

Do you have the physical ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds?

• Yes
• No

07

Detail your experience as an Occupational Therapist.Please include the following in your response:

Name of employer(s)

Position title

Specific duties you performed
NOTE: Do not copy and paste a response to another question. Do not refer to an attached document.

NOTE: This experience must be included in the Work History section on your application.

If you do not have this experience state, "No experience."

Required Question