Occupational Therapist/ Senior Occupational Therapist (Regular and Per Diem Pool)

Ventura County; Ventura (CA); On-site; USD 86,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Shift differential

Educational incentive

Bilingual incentive

Job summary

Ventura County is seeking an Occupational Therapist to evaluate pediatric clients, develop individualized plans, and coordinate rehab with a multidisciplinary team. You will educate families, fit adaptive equipment, and document progress to support functional outcomes for children and youth.

The role requires pediatric OT expertise, licensure in California, and NBCOT certification or eligibility, with opportunities for senior leadership and mentoring in PDP IV.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy and California OT license; NBCOT certification or eligibility within probationary period.
• Two years of experience as an OT or internship with the department and one year of OT experience for Senior level.
• CPR certification required at date of hire; valid California driver license and auto insurance.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate birth to 21-year-old MTP clients to determine function and therapy needs.
• Develop and implement individualized treatment plans with measurable goals.
• Deliver and adjust interventions to support progress toward goals.
• Educate families on home exercises and activity programs.
• Assess and fit adaptive equipment; conduct home visits as needed.
• Coordinate care with interdisciplinary team to ensure comprehensive rehab services.
• Maintain accurate documentation of assessments, plans, and progress.
• Participate in quality improvement activities and care conferences.
• Represent MTP in IEP processes with school personnel and families.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Skills

Anatomy & physiology

Pediatric OT eval tools

Durable medical equipment

Evidence-based pediatric OT

IEP knowledge

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy

California OT license

NBCOT certification or eligible

CPR certificate

Valid driver’s license

Job description

THE POSITION:

Under direction, the incumbent evaluates referred patients; plans, coordinates resources and administers occupational therapy programs for the habilitation and rehabilitation of Medical Therapy Program clients. If appointed at the senior level, they will also supervise the clinical skills of staff occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, volunteers, and occupational therapy students as needed; and performs related duties as required.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate is a compassionate and skilled Occupational Therapist with experience serving children with complex medical conditions in a pediatric public health setting. They demonstrate strong clinical expertise in evaluation, treatment planning, and implementation of evidence-based interventions, while working collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team that may include physicians, therapists, educators, and families. The ideal candidate communicates effectively with caregivers, is highly organized and adaptable in managing a diverse caseload, and is committed to providing culturally responsive, family-centered care that improves functional outcomes and quality of life for children and youth served through California Children’s Services (CCS) Medical Therapy Program (MTP).

AGENCY/DEPARTMENT:

Health Care Agency - Public Health

The Per Diem Pool (PDP) classifications are distinguished from the Regular classifications in that the incumbents in these classifications receive limited benefits. They will receive shift differential, standby and callback premium pay and will participate in the Ventura County Employees' Retirement Association if they are assigned a biweekly work schedule of 64 hours or more. Incumbents hired into these positions are not guaranteed any specific number of work hours per biweekly pay period, and management has the authority to relieve them from duty when there is insufficient work.

APPROXIMATE SALARIES:

Occupational Therapist: $41.23 - $57.65 per hour

Senior Occupational Therapist: $44.83 - $66.02 per hour

Rehab Therapist-PDP III (Occupational Therapist): $58.70 per hour

Rehab Therapist-PDP IV (Sr. Occupational Therapist): $64.83 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, Senior Occupational Therapist and Rehabilitation Therapist PDP III/IV 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) Regular vacancy within the public health department.

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:

September 01, 2026

CLOSING DATE:

Continuous

DUTIES:

• Conducts comprehensive pediatric evaluations and ongoing assessments for Medical Therapy Program (MTP) clients (birth to 21 years old) to determine functional status and therapy needs;
• Develops individualized treatment plans and measurable functional goals in collaboration with patients, families, and the interdisciplinary team;
• Implements and adjusts therapeutic interventions to support patient progress toward established goals;
• Educates patients and families on treatment strategies, including developing and reinforcing individualized home exercises and activity programs;
• Assesses, recommends, and fits adaptive equipment and splints; conducts home visits as needed to evaluate durable medical equipment needs;
• Coordinates care with an interdisciplinary team, including physicians, vendors and other support staff, to ensure comprehensive rehabilitation services;
• Maintains accurate and timely documentation of evaluations, treatment plans, interventions, and patient progress in compliance with established standards;
• Participates in quality improvement initiatives and attends required meetings, clinics, and patient care conferences;
• Represents the Medical Therapy Program in the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process, collaborating with school personnel and families; and
• Performs other related duties as required.

At the Senior Occupational Therapist/ Rehabilitation Therapist-PDP IV level, in addition to the above duties, the senior level also:

• Serves as a clinical resource and mentor, providing advanced consultation, training and support to the therapy staff;
• Reviews evaluations, treatment plans, and documentation to ensure quality of care and compliance with applicable standards and regulations;
• Assumes lead responsibilities in the absence of supervisor, including coordinating staff activities and maintaining continuity of services;

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/Rehabilitation Therapist PDP-III:

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/Rehabilitation Therapist PDP-IV:

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 (Occupational Therapist) OR application (Senior Occupational Therapist) and maintain it as a condition of continued employment.
• Possession of a current valid certificate from the National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) OR must be eligible to apply for and obtain a certificate from the NBCOT within the probationary period (Rehabilitation Therapist PDP III/IV)
• 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.
• Possession of a valid California driver license and proof of auto insurance at the time of hire.

Desired:

• Experience working with the pediatric population.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Human anatomy, physiology, and child development
• Up-to-date occupational therapy evaluation and assessment tools
• Durable medical equipment
• Evidence based pediatric intervention and occupational therapy techniques
• Individualized Education Programs (IEP) and their roles in pediatric therapy services

Working ability to:

• Evaluate patients from birth to age 21 and develop effective treatment plans, functional goals and home exercise/activity program
• Adhere to clinical and programmatic documentation standards
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with clients, families, physicians, and team members
• Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing
• Plan, coordinate, and oversee the work of others, and
• Understand and address the sensory, social, and occupational needs of children and youth living with complex medical conditions and physical disabilities and support their caregivers
• Travel as needed on assignment while safely operating a vehicle

FINAL FILING DATE:

Continuous

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.

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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

For further information about this recruitment, please contact Erin Niemi by e‑mail at [e-mail] or by telephone at [phone].

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.