Occupational Therapist

Youth Villages’ residential programs in Tennessee and Georgia provide safe, nurturing environments for youth ages 6 to 17 with complex behavioral and mental health challenges. These programs are offered across three types of facilities—secure facilities, open campuses, and group homes—each designed to meet the individual needs of youth exhibiting a range of referral behaviors, including aggression, self-harm, suicidal ideations, and problem sexual behavior.
Our residential campuses deliver an intensive treatment program that strikes a unique balance between structure and freedom, all while preparing youth for continued success outside of a residential setting. A key focus is to help each youth step down to the least restrictive treatment option possible by developing the skills they need to thrive in less structured environments through trauma-informed care, clinical interventions, life skills building, and recreation therapy (in selection locations). Most youth also attend fully accredited schools located on our campuses, ensuring their educational progress continues alongside therapeutic support.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The Occupational Therapist:

Attends relevant meetings for the purpose of understanding workflow operations and integrating OT services into the organization
Observes day-to-day operations at the RTC and provides evaluation and OT treatment to youth
Screens referrals and educates staff on how to make OT referrals
Disseminates carryover recommendations to the youth’s care team
Provides formal training and informal coaching to staff who support youth receiving OT services
Implements group therapy with youth as needed
Researches the latest evidence for the most effective OT modalities when working with the target population
Absorbs caseload when youth enter the RTC with OT on their IEP (typical 4 to 6 youth at a time)
Completes daily documentation (such as OT notes, contact notes, milieu notes, and precautionary notes) in an electronic medical record system (EMR)
Performs other duties as assigned

Additional Information:

The supervision and treatment of youth requires prolonged periods of walking, standing, running, climbing stairs, and physical agility.
Applicants must be able to participate in physical interventions when necessary and frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, occasionally more than 100 pounds.
Applicants are required to complete Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) and CPR trainings and pass an agility and strength evaluation.
Applicants must possess a current, valid driver’s license.
Schedule is flexible and may require some weekend hours.

Qualifications:

Master’s or Doctoral degree in Occupational Therapy from an ACOTE accredited institution (required)
Active license in the applicable state (required)
Must be certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (required)
Experience working with youth (required)
Two years working with the targeted population (preferred)
Experience with providing trauma-informed care (preferred)
Experience coaching caregivers (preferred)
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
Excellent written, verbal, and oral skills
Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
Basic computer knowledge
Ability to maintain a flexible schedule

Youth Villages Benefits

Medical, Dental, Prescription Drug Coverage and Vision
401(k)
Time off:
2 week paid vacation (full-time) / 1 week paid vacation (part-time)
12 paid sick days per year
11 paid holidays
Paid Parental Leave
Mileage & Cell Phone Reimbursement (when applicable)
Tuition reimbursement and licensure supervision
Growth & development through continuous training
Clinical and administrative advancement opportunities

*Benefits are excluded for variable status employees.

Youth Villages is an equal opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Youth Villages is committed to not only advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace but also in our work with children and young adults. We know that children, families and young people of color can face inequity in child welfare and justice systems, and we train our employees to build the skills they need to work with the communities that we serve, as well as, other employees from different cultures and backgrounds. Youth Villages is opposed to racism in any of its forms and is committed to inclusion, equity, and diversity. We believe that respect for each other is crucial in the work that we do each day.