Avery's House is a mental health treatment provider for adolescents. We are expanding services with a specialized residential program supporting neurodivergent adolescents through an individualized, strengths-based, and trauma-informed approach. Under the supervision and direction of the agency’s Clinical Director, the Occupational therapist is responsible for providing direct patient care. The Occupational therapist serves as a role model, mentor, advocate, and motivator for adolescents in a residential behavioral health program specializing in neurodivergent youth. The Occupational therapist also maintains a safe and efficient working and treatment environment per company policies, procedures, and best practices.
Minimum Qualifications
● Master’s degree in Occupational therapy
● Current license from the Arizona Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners
● Current and valid Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card. If it is a new application, it can be submitted and in-process.
● Preferred experience: 1 year in a behavioral healthcare
● Valid Arizona Driver’s License in good standing
● Driving Record must permit insurability with the agency’s carrier
● Current CPR/First Aid Certification
Essential Functions and Responsibilities
1. Assessment and Goal Development
- Conduct comprehensive functional behavior and neuro-affirming sensory profiles.
- Evaluate independent living skills, fine/gross motor abilities, and executive functioning.
- Develop collaborative, strengths-based Individualized Treatment Plans (ITPs).
2. Direct Therapeutic Intervention
- Provide individual and group therapy focused on daily living skills (ADLs/IADLs).
- Teach self-care, cooking, budgeting, laundry, and community navigation.
- Implement sensory integration strategies to support emotional regulation and distress tolerance.
- Co-facilitate neuro-affirming social connections and community-building groups.
3. Environmental Modification and Collaboration
- Audit the residential environment to create low-demand, sensory-friendly spaces.
- Recommend and train staff on assistive technology and adaptive equipment.
- Train residential coaches, therapists, and educators on sensory and regulation plans.
- Participate in weekly multidisciplinary clinical team meetings.
4. Documentation and Compliance
- Maintain timely electronic clinical notes tracking progress toward functional goals.
- Ensure all documentation meets Arizona state licensing and insurance standards.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with low-demand approaches (e.g., Collaborative & Proactive Solutions).
- Certification in Sensory Integration or specialized executive functioning curricula.
Therapeutic Milieu Responsibilities
- Supervising and engaging clients throughout the shift.
- Providing continuous support within the therapeutic milieu.
- Assisting with daily routines, schedules, transitions, and activities.
- Participating in groups, community meetings, and therapeutic programming as appropriate.
- Supporting clients with activities of daily living (ADLs) while promoting independence.
- Supporting clients during meals, hygiene routines, school activities, recreation, and community outings.
- Utilizing de-escalation, co-regulation, redirection, and crisis intervention techniques.
- Implementing individualized behavioral support plans under the direction of the clinical director.
- Maintaining awareness of client whereabouts and supervision requirements.
- Conducting routine safety and environmental checks.
- Transporting clients to medical appointments, community outings, or other approved activities as assigned.
- Assisting with room searches, contraband checks, belongings inventory, and safety procedures according to facility policy.
- Supporting clients during difficult emotional or behavioral situations while maintaining a calm, therapeutic presence.
- Collaborating closely with clinical assistants, therapists, case managers, providers, and leadership to ensure continuity of care.
- Neurodivergent Client Support
- Demonstrate understanding of autism spectrum disorder, sensory processing differences, developmental disabilities, and executive functioning challenges.
- Utilize neurodiversity-affirming and trauma-informed approaches when interacting with clients.
- Recognize sensory sensitivities and modify communication and environmental factors when appropriate.
- Support individualized coping strategies, visual supports, structured routines, and sensory regulation interventions.
- Promotes client dignity, autonomy, and strength-based care.
Benefits:
Competitive salary.
401(k) retirement plan with an employer match.
Access to 24/7 virtual urgent care, primary care and mental health services.
Supportive clinical team with mentoring and supervision available as needed.
Schedule: Flexible hours
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: $36/hour
Work Location: In person Fountain Hills, Arizona
