Occupational Therapist-Programming Specialist

Thewillowoaksacademy

Nebraska

On-site

USD 65,000 - 90,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision coverage

SIMPLE IRA with 3% match

Paid PTO

Complimentary Life Insurance

Free gym membership

Job summary

A community recovery center in Nebraska is seeking an Occupational Therapist-Programming Specialist to provide trauma-informed therapy services. This role focuses on supporting individuals facing homelessness and substance use disorders through personalized assessments and recovery programming. Ideal candidates should possess a degree in Occupational Therapy and an active Nebraska license, with experience in behavioral health and a commitment to community engagement. The position offers competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits including a retirement plan, PTO, and a gym membership.

Qualifications

Ability to recognize and assess treatment needs.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Understanding of diverse cultural backgrounds.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
Proficiency with PC applications, including Microsoft applications and EHRs.
Strong organizational and time management skills.
Ability to manage and coordinate multiple tasks simultaneously.

Responsibilities

Provide person-centered occupational therapy services.
Conduct comprehensive assessments and develop individualized goals.
Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams for discharge planning.
Facilitate integrated trauma‑informed and culturally responsive practices in evaluation and intervention.
Provide group facilitation on empowerment, routines, wellness, and community engagement.
Collaborate with interdisciplinary team for discharge planning and continuity of care.
Maintain accurate documentation in compliance with CARF and licensure standards.
Supervise OT students and participate in program development and quality improvement.

Skills

Assessment and treatment planning

Interpersonal communication

Cultural responsiveness

Organizational skills

PC literacy and EHRs

Education

Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctorate in Occupational Therapy

Active Nebraska Occupational Therapy License

Tools

Microsoft Office

Electronic Health Records

Job description

Occupational Therapist-Programming Specialist

StephenCenter has served homeless and low-income individuals in Omaha since1984 with the mission to partner with the community, families andindividuals to overcome homelessness, addiction and poverty. ThePettigrew Emergency Shelter and Permanent Supportive Housing offeringsprovide safe and secure housing while individuals and families completean assessment of permanent housing options. All Stephen Center residentshave access to dual diagnosis support services via the HEROaddiction/recovery program. 100% of Stephen Center shelter supportivehousing participants are living in poverty. Housing transition supportidentifies poverty barriers that may impact one’s ability to achieve ormaintain permanent housing through case management, life skills, andbehavioral health services. Stephen Center serves approximately 250people daily in all programs.

Purpose:

The Occupational Therapist (OT) provides person-centered, trauma-informed, and evidence-based occupational therapy services across Stephen Center’s continuum of care, including residential recovery, emergency shelter, and permanent supportive housing programs.

This position supports individuals andfamilies experiencing homelessness and substance use disorders by addressingfunctional barriers to independence, health management, recovery engagement,parenting capacity, and long-term housing stability. The OT plays an integralrole in helping clients move from crisis response to sustainable, structured,and meaningful daily living.

Consistent with Stephen Center’s mission and CARF accreditation standards, this role emphasizes:

Individualized assessment and service planning
Measurement-informed care and data-driven outcomes
Interdisciplinary collaboration
Cultural responsiveness and inclusion
Risk awareness and safety practices
Continuous performance and quality improvement

In addition to direct clinical services, the Occupational Therapist contributes to recovery programming, family-centered initiatives, life skills development, and academic partnerships that strengthen community impact and workforce development.

Person-Centered Assessment & Service Planning

Conduct comprehensive occupational profiles and functional assessments to identify client strengths, needs, preferences, and barriers to community integration.
Develop individualized, measurable, and time-sensitive goals aligned with client-driven service plans and housing stability objectives.
Development and facilitation of integrated trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices into evaluation and intervention.
Provide group facilitation focused on, but not limited to: Empowerment & Self-Identity, Routines & Structure, Wellness & Coping Skills, Community & Social Engagement, Creative Expressions.
Ensures services uphold client dignity, rights, choice, and autonomy in accordance with organizational policy and accreditation standards.
Adhere to the principles of Trauma Informed Care to assure a safe treatment program.

Clinical & Recovery Programming Duties

Collaborate with the HERO Clinical Director in the facilitation and development of evidence‑based occupational therapy recovery groups focused on relapse prevention and recovery‑supportive routines, emotional regulation and coping strategies, executive functioning and habit formation, health, wellness, and self‑management.
Provide psychoeducation on sensory processing, stress response, trauma impact, and behavioral patterns.
Collaborate with interdisciplinary team to support discharge planning and continuity of care.
Participate in performance measurement discussions and contribute to outcome tracking and program evaluation.
Create and maintain a work environment focused on problem‑solving and conflict resolution.
With the leadership team, participate in development, review, and revision of program courses.
Participate in statistical and program evaluation reports.
Effectively respond to client/consumer needs and problems, initiate and maintain positive interactions, timely responses to phone calls, e‑mail, and other requests.

Functional Skill Development, Housing Stability & Family‑Centered Services

Provide individual and group occupational therapy interventions to strengthen ADLs and IADLs, including financial literacy, budgeting, time management, organization, and household maintenance.
Support community reintegration through transportation training, community resource navigation, and development of sustainable daily routines.
Adapt environments, routines, and interventions to promote accessibility, reduce barriers, and enhance long‑term independence.
Develop and facilitate parenting and family‑based groups focused on establishing healthy routines, developmentally appropriate expectations, emotional regulation within family systems, and household organization.
Address occupational needs of children and adolescents related to education participation, social engagement, and meaningful leisure activities.
Provide accessible programming, which may include evening or weekend sessions based on client and program needs.
Support measurable family stabilization and housing outcomes aligned with agency performance indicators.

Academic Partnership, Professional Practice & Quality Compliance

Supervise occupational therapy students (COTA, Level I, Level II, and OTD Capstone) in accordance with university, licensure, and accreditation standards.
Model ethical clinical practice, professional boundaries, and adherence to state licensure requirements.
Engage in ongoing professional development to ensure implementation of current evidence‑based and trauma‑informed practices.
Maintain accurate, timely, and objective documentation in compliance with CARF standards, state licensure regulations, and organizational policies and procedures.
Participate in performance improvement initiatives, risk management processes, incident reporting protocols, and outcome measurement activities.
Contribute to data collection, outcome analysis, and policy review efforts to support continuous quality improvement.
Adhere to HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2 confidentiality regulations, ensuring all protected health information, substance use treatment information, and agency business remain secure and confidential.
Respond effectively and professionally to client needs, maintaining timely communication via phone, email, and other methods while fostering respectful and positive interactions.

Interpersonal Relationships

Exhibits enthusiasm, courtesy, adaptability, flexibility, and spirit of cooperation in the work environment.
Maintains effective interpersonal relations with consumers, peers, subordinates, upper management, visitors, and the general public. Using language and behavior to promote dignity and respect.

Position Requirements

Ability to recognize, assess, and determine treatment needs.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, with responsibility to exercise substantial discretion and independent judgment.
Understanding of and ability to work with people of diverse cultural backgrounds.
Proficiency with PC applications, including Microsoft applications and EHR’s.
Strong organizational and time management skills, as well as attention to detail.
Ability to manage and coordinate multiple tasks and balance long and short‑term projects simultaneously.
Ability to work with staff quickly, accurately, and effectively in a dynamic work environment.
Knowledge of Recovery‑Based, Stages‑of‑Change, Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive‑Behavioral, and various evidence‑based, and culturally‑competent treatment.
Ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local standards.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctorate (OTD) in Occupational Therapy.
Active Nebraska Occupational Therapy License (or eligibility).
Knowledge of trauma‑informed care, recovery‑oriented systems of care, and community‑based practice.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in behavioral health, substance use recovery, or community mental health.
Experience working with individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
Experience supervising students or serving as a fieldwork educator.
Familiarity with accreditation standards (CARF or similar).

This position operates within residential recovery, shelter, and community-based housing environments. Flexibility in scheduling may be required to meet program and client accessibility needs, including limited evening or weekend programming. Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Standing - Periodically

Sitting - Periodically

Kneeling –Periodically

Pushing/Pulling– Periodically

Lifting up to 20 pounds - Periodically

Medical

Dental, Vision, STD are covered 100%

Salary: Based on Experience

Other Benefits include: