Occupational Therapist

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Functional Title:� Occupational Therapist�
Job Title:� Registered Therapist V�
Agency:� Health & Human Services Comm�
Department:� Recreation Progs�
Posting Number:� 15767�
Closing Date:� 06/09/2026�
Posting Audience:� Internal and External�
Occupational Category:� Healthcare Practitioners and Technical�
Salary Range:� $8,592.89� -� $11,864.50�
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group:� TEXAS-B-27�
Shift:� Day�
Additional Shift:� �
Telework:� Not Eligible for Telework�
Travel:� Up to 10%�
Regular/Temporary:� Regular�
Full Time/Part Time:� Full time�
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt:� Exempt�
Facility Location:� Austin State Hospital�
Job Location City:� AUSTIN�
Job Location Address:� 4110 GUADALUPE�
Other Locations:� �
MOS Codes: 230X,42BX,42NX,42TX,65A,65B,68F,68L,HM,HN,HS,SEI12�
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Would you thrive in an environment where you learn and grow personally and professionally all while helping make a positive impact on people's lives? Do you appreciate being around others like yourself who are dependable, trustworthy, hard workers who believe in the value of teamwork? HSCS is dedicated to building an atmosphere where employees feel valued and supported while providing specialized care for Texans in need. HSCS is comprised of nine psychiatric hospitals, one youth residential treatment facility, and thirteen state supported living centers. The psychiatric hospitals are a hub of excellence for forensic mental health and complex psychiatric care, with all facilities accredited by The Joint Commission. They provide state-of-the-art treatment that is recovery-oriented and science-based. If providing hope and healing through compassionate, innovative, and individualized care interests you, we welcome your application for the position below.

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The Registered Therapist V (Occupational Therapist) performs highly advanced (senior level) therapeutic rehabilitation work. Responsibilities include planning and overseeing therapeutic activities, assessing the needs of patients, and developing, and administering programs to meet patient's needs; assessing and documenting progress of the individual patient and/or patient groups; providing clinical occupational therapy services; training others related to OT services, plans of care for patients, and specific tasks needed to support treatment. Plans, assigns, and clinically supervises the work of others as required, to include Registered Therapist Assistants (Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants/COTAs). Works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

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Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

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Attends work on a regular basis and may be asked to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

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Develops Plans of Care, implements therapeutic rehabilitative treatment (e.g., therapy groups and one to one treatment). Provides feedback through formal (documentation, reports) and informal (verbal, observations) to treatment teams as prescribed by in the treatment plan observing confidentiality and HIPAA standards.

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Assesses patients assigned to therapy groups or as referred for one to one treatment and documents using approved discipline specific assessment note process.

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Evaluates and documents on patients' progress in treatment to include physical, cognitive, social, and psycho-affective functioning in approved records and formats.

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Plans, develops, and administers schedules of activities for patients to include treatment protocols for specialty areas and preparing and submitting data for budgets and occupational therapy supplies.

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Plans, attends, and participates in required departmental meetings and/or committees and workgroups and participates in quality assessment performance improvement activities. Actively supports facility and agency safety (including patient safety), risk management, and infection control programs. Maintains required departmental and hospital documentation and records.

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Develops in-service training material to train and instruct others (therapeutic staff, volunteers, interns, certified assistants, and contract occupational therapists) in conducting rehabilitation activities. Executes student training programs in cooperation with schools of rehabilitation specialties.

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Clinically supervises and manages assigned staff as required. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to participating in reviewing applications, interviewing candidates, selecting and hiring potential registered therapist assistants / Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTA), scheduling and assigning workload, establishing performance measures, evaluating work performance, providing feedback and guidance, recommending staff development and training, recommending personnel and disciplinary actions, scheduling and approving leave, ensuring assigned staff participate in mandatory training.

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Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

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Knowledge of the principles and techniques of rehabilitation therapy in working with the following patient populations: mentally ill, cognitively impaired (TBI, learning disabled, Alzheimer's, dementia), physically challenged, functionally impaired, and /or with infectious disease.

Knowledge of occupational therapy discipline

Knowledge of approved methods of facilitating, instructing, interacting, and supervising patients

Knowledge of behavior modification techniques

Knowledge of recovery/trauma-informed care (TIC)

Knowledge of an electronic medical record system

Knowledge of department policies and procedures

Knowledge of health, safety, infection control, and quality improvement

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Skills in the application and use of tools, orthopedic equipment, materials, or skills common to the occupational therapy

Skills in the evaluation, treatment planning, and documentation of patient progress

Skills in the use of computers and applicable software

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Ability to plan, develop, implement, and facilitate treatment focused therapy groups or one to one treatment.

Ability to coordinate program activities.

Ability to motivate and sustain patients' interest in rehabilitation groups and activities.

Ability to observe, evaluate, communicate, and document patient progress.

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Ability to interact with staff and patients effectively.

Ability to train, instruct, and supervise the work of others.

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Must possess a valid Texas driver license or obtain it no later than 90 days after hire date to drive a state vehicle. Applicants with an out-of-state driver license must provide an original certified driving record from the state of driving licensure. Eligible driving record required based on HHSC Fleet Management policy.

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Currently licensed as an Occupational Therapist in the State of Texas..

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Related psychiatric patient or therapy training or five years of experience in a psychiatric setting and /or with special populations.

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Five years of experience providing occupational therapy services to Children and/or Adolescents and/or Adults and/or Senior Adults.

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Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aid, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct, List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE). Males between the ages of 18-25 must be registered with the Selective Service.

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All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility. Waco Center for Youth applicants must be 21 years of age.

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Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours.

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Compliance with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital operating procedures related to immunizations is required. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, healthcare workers are considered to be at significant risk for acquiring or transmitting hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and influenza. All these diseases are vaccine preventable. As a result, state hospital policy requires employees be vaccinated according to their level of contact with individuals. In the event you choose to not be immunized for the influenza virus, you may be required to wear a mask and take other protective measures.

Review our Tips for Success when applying for jobs at DFPS, DSHS and HHSC.

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Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to� those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor's Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions.

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ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSC and DSHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

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Pre-Employment Checks and Work Eligibility:

Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.

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HHSC uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 Form

Telework Disclaimer:

This position may be eligible for telework.� Please note, all HHS positions are subject to state and agency telework policies in addition to the discretion of the direct supervisor and business needs.