Occupational Therapist II

Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (DMH); Worcester (MA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital (WRCH), operated by the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (DMH), seeks an Occupational Therapy Supervisor for a full-time role. The incumbent will supervise OT staff, deliver evidence-based rehabilitation, and collaborate with the Rehabilitation Director within a multi-disciplinary team to optimize patient outcomes.

The position requires leadership, strong assessment skills, and a valid MA OT license, NBCOT, and board certification.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of evidence-based and best-practice theory, principles, and methods in occupational therapy/rehabilitation.
• Experience with OT assessment tools and diagnostic/prognostic testing related to OT.
• Ability to supervise and coordinate activities of others in a large rehab department.
• Current valid Massachusetts OT license.
• NBCOT and Board-Certified OT credentials.

Responsibilities

• Evaluates patients’ therapy needs via interviews, observations, and records to determine functional skills.
• Develops and implements treatment plans with the Treatment Team.
• Coordinates patient schedules and referrals across rehabilitation services.
• Oversees rehabilitation treatment schedules and staffing to align with program standards.
• Supervises OT staff, rehab counselors, interns, and students to ensure service delivery and policy compliance.
• Maintains documentation, audits care quality, and participates in committees and reporting.

Skills

Evidence-based practice

Team leadership

Functional assessments

Education

Massachusetts OT License (Registered)

NBCOT Certification

Board-Certified OT

Tools

MS Office

Job description

The Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital (WRCH) operated by the Department of Mental Health (DMH) is seeking a creative, dynamic, and committed Occupational Therapy Supervisor to fill a full-time role. The Occupational Therapy Supervisor will provide occupational therapy rehabilitative service by delivering evidence–based, best practices evaluations and treatments. The selected candidate will evaluate both psycho-social and daily functioning though informed evaluations, recommending and providing evidence-based interventions and must work collaboratively with both the rehabilitations and as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

The incumbent of this position will work in collaboration with the Rehabilitation Director and will facilitate the delivery of rehabilitation services. As a member of the Rehabilitation Clinical Leadership Team, the Supervisor must have a clear understanding of the hospital’s operational and administrative needs. The Occupational Therapy Supervisor will also evaluate patients’ needs for Occupational Therapy/Rehabilitation Services, design and provide treatment as indicated. The basic purpose of this work is to provide Occupational Therapy services to facilitate the rehabilitation of patients with mental or emotional disabilities or disorders.

Please Note: There is currently one (1) vacancy for the Occupational Therapist II position.

Schedule and Flexibility Requirements

The selected candidate will join the Float Acuity Team, serving both Adolescent and Adult services. This role requires maintaining a flexible, variable schedule from Tuesday through Saturday.

Please review the operational hours required for this role:

• Late Shift: 11:15 AM – 7:45 PM (One day per week on Friday’s, subject to change based on operational needs)
• Designated Days Off: Sundays and Mondays

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Evaluates patients’ needs for therapy through interviews, direct observations, and review of medical records and by conducting functional assessments to determine patient’s functional skills levels.
• Develops and implements treatment plans, in conjunction with Treatment Team, for patients that identify specific treatment modalities based upon functional assessment findings.
• Coordinates patients’ schedule and functions as the Rehabilitation liaison by generating referrals to all Rehabilitation services.
• Provides clinical and operational oversight of rehabilitation services treatment schedule for assigned units and treatment locations, ensuring an engaging treatment focused milieu.
• Ensures staffing assignments meet the clinical and operational needs of the Rehabilitation Program, Joint Commission standards, and CMS standards of care.
• Provides direct and indirect supervision of Occupational Therapists, Rehab Counselors, interns, students, to ensure effective delivery of services and compliance with agency programs and policy.
• Oversees patient’s evaluations and at times, evaluates patients’ need for therapy through interviews, direct observations, review of medical records and by conducting functional assessments to determine patient’s functional skills levels for assigned units.
• Provides supervision, clinical oversight, and may develop, as needed, Occupational/Rehabilitation treatment plans in conjunction with the Treatment Team to ensure clinically appropriate modalities.
• Conducts individual/group treatment, and milieu activities, both in treatment site locations, and on unit.
• Maintains statistics, keeps accurate billing logs, and tacks patients’ attendance in programs as assigned.
• Champions staff competences by providing audits of care, supervision, trainings, consultation, recommend training needs, and scheduling.
• Serves on assigned committees, participates in rehabilitation data collection/fact findings, prepares reports, and communicates findings both written and verbally to the Director of Rehabilitation.

Required Qualifications:

• Demonstrated knowledge of evidence based and best practice theory, principles, treatment methods, techniques, and procedures of occupational therapy/rehabilitation, including terminology used in connection with Occupational Therapy.
• Established experience with Occupational Therapy Assessment tools, of diagnostic and prognostic testing relative to Occupational Therapy.
• Talent for establishing and maintaining harmonious working relationships and deal tactfully with others.
• Capacity to plan, assign and coordinate the activities of others through engagement in team building.
• Proven ability to effectively supervise and perform administrative duties for a large rehabilitation department.
• Skilled in exercising effective/sound judgment and sensitivity to changing needs and situations.
• Valid License to practice as a Registered Occupational Therapist in Massachusetts.
• NBCOT and Board-Certified Occupational Therapist.
• Valid MA Driver’s License.
• Ability to drive a 15-passenger van.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of mission, philosophy and treatment principles of the psychiatric rehabilitation process and workflow at WRCH.
• Familiarity of the types and uses of agency forms.
• Proficiency with the types and availability of public or private organizations or resources for providing Occupational Therapy.
• Comprehension of mission, philosophy and treatment principles of the psychiatric rehabilitation process
• Proficiency in American Sign Language (ASL)
• Skilled in Microsoft Office applications including Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
• Given the population served, bilingual or multilingual fluency.

About Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital (WRCH):

Located on over 20 acres in Worcester, Massachusetts, Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital (WRCH) is part of an integrated network of effective, efficient, and culturally competent mental health services. It provides intermediate and long-term inpatient care for individuals with serious and persistent mental illness who live in Massachusetts, as well as individuals requiring specialized court ordered evaluations.

WRCH provides inpatient services to 290 adults and 30 adolescents, inclusive of a Deaf Inpatient Mental Health Service program for 10 patients.

Learn more about WRCH: Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital (WRCH) | Mass.gov

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines,

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.

ADA Reasonable Accommodation: If you require a reasonable accommodation with the application/interview process, please contact us at: EOHHS Candidate ADA Requests

For questions regarding this requisition, please contact Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122, Option 4.

Qualifications

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

Minimum Entrance Requirements: Applicants must have at least one year of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional experience as an occupational therapist.

Special Requirements:

Possession of a current and valid Occupational Therapist license issued by the Board of Allied Health Professions in accordance with Chapter 667 of the Acts of 1982.

Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate’s years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

Title 101 CMR 23.00 (“Regulation”) requires certain agency staff to have received the COVID-19 vaccination and Influenza vaccination, or have taken required mitigation measures, to prevent viral infection and transmission in State Hospitals and State Congregate Care Facilities. The Regulation applies to this position. Successful candidates will be required to acknowledge and attest to your vaccination status for both COVID-19 and Influenza.

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.