Occupational Therapist (Cantonese/Mandarin)

We are building a Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) to bring life-changing, culturally competent care to low-income seniors—supporting them as they age safely and with dignity, right in their communities. Based on the PACE model, SpringLight Health will offer coordinated medical care, transportation, meals, social activities, medication management, and caregiver support—all tailored to each individual’s needs.

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Job Summary:

The PACE Occupational Therapist is responsible for the Occupational Therapy program serving PACE participants.

The PACE Occupational Therapist is responsible for evaluating, assessing, and implementing therapeutic interventions that encourage participants to engage in meaningful daily activities and enhance functional independence through a holistic approach that utilizes acute and maintenance occupational therapy interventions.

The PACE Occupational Therapist is a member of the PACE Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) and is responsible for conducting occupational therapy assessments for new PACE participants and occupational therapy reassessments for existing PACE participants as part of the PACE IDT care planning process.

The PACE Occupational Therapist is responsible for providing occupational therapy education to participants, caregivers, and PACE staff to maximize participants' function and their ability to perform meaningful daily activities.

Participates as a PACE Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) member and is responsible for completing occupational therapy assessments for new PACE participants and reassessments for existing PACE participants as part of the PACE IDT care planning process.

In collaboration with the primary care provider and IDT, develops and implements occupational therapy care plans for PACE participants, identifying and addressing their medical, physical, social, and emotional needs.

The occupational therapy service shall be under the direction of an occupational therapist. An occupational therapy assistant or aide shall work only under the supervision of an occupational therapist.

The occupational therapy services staff shall work the hours necessary to meet the needs of each participant as specified in the individual plan of care by the interdisciplinary team and in accordance with the staffing requirements of the Department.

Attends IDT and morning meetings and reports on participants' functional status, including changes in individual participants’ functional status and their ability to perform meaningful daily activities.

Based on clinical observation or occupational therapy reassessments, makes recommendations to the IDT for incorporating or modifying occupational therapy interventions to participant care plans.

After each treatment, make notations specifying the method of treatment and the participant's reaction. Narrative notes shall be entered in the participant's health record when indicated and signed by the occupational therapist.

Monitors PACE participants for changes in their health or psychosocial status requiring an occupational therapy reassessment. Promptly communicates pertinent changes in participant status to the IDT.

Responsible for providing occupational therapy education to participants, caregivers, and PACE staff to address functional issues related to performing meaningful daily activities. Home visits may be necessary to provide education or occupational therapy assessments/reassessments to participants and caregivers.

Serves as an occupational therapy subject matter expert and communicates best practices for a frail elderly population to the IDT, participants, and caregivers.

Completes and maintains documentation in the PACE EHR in accordance with federal PACE regulations and organizational policy. Progress notes shall be written at least quarterly in the participant's health record and signed by the occupational therapist.

Supports the PACE QI program and participants in PACE QI activities as assigned.

Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy if obtained before 2000; Doctorate degree in Occupational Therapy if obtained after 2000.

Minimum 1-year work experience as an Occupational Therapist.

One year of experience working with a frail or elderly population, or in the absence of such knowledge, receive appropriate training on working with a frail or elderly population upon hiring.

Bilingual ability (Cantonese and/or Mandarin) and experience providing culturally and linguistically appropriate services.

Ability to make home visit and drive to community locations as appropriate and necessary.

Before working independently, meet a standardized set of competencies for the Occupational Therapist position established by the PACE plan.

Experience working in Electronic Health Records (EHRs).

Before engaging in participant care, be medically cleared for communicable diseases and have up-to-date immunizations and vaccines.

Have not been convicted of criminal offenses involving Medicaid, Medicare, other health insurance or health care programs, or social services programs under title XX of the Act.

Have not been excluded from participating in Medicare and Medicaid programs.

Have not been convicted of criminal offenses pertaining to physical, sexual, drug, or alcohol abuse.

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from an accredited physical therapy program.

Current, active California Physical Therapist (PT) license in good standing.

Current CPR/BLS certification required.