Join CASL as an Occupational Therapy Assistant and Make a Difference
Are you ready to make a meaningful impact in your community? Join CASL, where our mission is to connect families and individuals with vital support.
Your Mission:
As a key member of our Adaptive Behavioral Support (ABS) Services team, the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) plays an essential role in delivering life-changing services to children and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual/developmental disorders. Reporting to the ABS Services Coordinator, the OTA will work closely with a multidisciplinary team to assess, plan, and implement individualized/group therapy sessions tailored to each client's unique behavioral needs. Through these targeted interventions, the OTA will help enhance clients' functional emotional development, social-emotional skills, and sensory processing abilities.
In collaboration with the Occupational Therapist, the OTA will provide comprehensive support not only to clients but also to their caregivers, equipping them with the tools and education needed to foster growth and development in everyday environments. This role is crucial in advancing CASL’s mission of empowerment and transformation by promoting holistic well-being and inclusivity within the community. By aligning their efforts with the ABS Services department, the OTA will directly contribute to improving the quality of life for individuals and families, embodying CASL’s core values of collaboration, empowerment, and resiliency.
About CASL:
The Chinese American Service League is a dynamic and forward-thinking organization dedicated to empowering and serving the Chinese American population and the broader communities. Established with a rich history spanning several decades, CASL has consistently evolved to address the evolving needs of its constituents while fostering cultural pride, integration, and community development.
For over 45 years, CASL's comprehensive programs have connected families and individuals with the vital support they need: providing an educational and cultural foundation for our children, ensuring our seniors live full and independent lives with dignity, enhancing education and training for tomorrow's workforce, putting immigrants on the pathway to citizenship, securing our community's housing and financial well-being, navigating healthcare systems and wellness resources, and providing equal access to justice. Since our founding, CASL has been rooted in the principles of equity and justice. That legacy continues to shape our efforts today as we strive to champion diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility at all levels of the organization.
Your Impact:
As an Occupational Therapy Assistant, you will:
Key Responsibilities:
Clinical Responsibilities (70%):
- Work under the ABS Services Coordinator or ABS Developmental Clinician to conduct Behavior Assessment and Treatment Planning (BATP), focusing on assessing the individual’s current maladaptive or disruptive behaviors, functional skills, skills deficits, skill acquisition and maintenance of skills, and developing or updating individualized treatment goals.
- Work with the multidisciplinary team within the Department of Behavioral Health and Clinical Services (BHCS) and with external providers to improve the assessment and treatment planning to maximize the potential impacts of interventions per individual’s needs, developmental stages, and strengths.
- Conduct assessments including administering, scoring, and interpreting assessment, under the clinical supervision of the ABS Services Coordinator or ABS Clinician and Occupational Therapist (OT); interview with the individual’s caregiver(s); doing non-face-to-face analysis of treatment history; and discussing findings and recommendations with the individual and their parent or guardian (or other caregiver), as appropriate.
- Discuss and review the BATP with the ABS Services Coordinator or ABS Clinician, and have the ABS Clinician and the individual and the individual’s parent or assigned guardian.
- Conduct ABS such as DIRFloortime, an evidence-based intervention, or other evidence-based therapy sessions for children and adults with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and/or intellectual/developmental disorders, per individualized treatment plans.
- Utilize ABS principles to facilitate social, emotional, and intellectual capacities rather than focusing exclusively on skills and isolated behaviors.
- Understand and incorporate an individual’s developmental journey in the intervention.
- Create a supportive and engaging therapeutic environment, harnessing the key affective (emotional) aspect of these relationships to promote development.
- Provide education and guidance to parents/caregivers on implementing ABS strategies at home.
- Offer practical tips and support to enhance child development and daily living skills.
- Collaborate with caregivers to establish consistent routines and expectations.
- Receive regular clinical supervision from ABS Developmental Clinician and Occupational Therapist.
- Provide occupational therapy services under the clinical supervision of the Occupational Therapist to individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
Administrative Responsibilities (10%):
- Accurately document therapy sessions, including the individual’s progress, goals, and interventions, in a timely fashion.
- Maintain clear and concise progress notes and reports.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of individualized treatment plans.
- Work closely with individual or caregiver and Electronic Health Record Systems Specialist in obtaining prior authorization if needed.
- Develop and maintain relationships with community partners to connect clients with additional services/programs as required.
- Evaluate treatment options and create comprehensive service plans for clients to address their identified needs and goals, and/or collaborate with other clinical or medical professionals as required.
- Conduct community outreach and education to increase staff and community members’ awareness of behavioral health.
- Develop and run parent education groups and other evidence-based programming.
- Ensure confidentiality of information is maintained appropriately by following CASL policies/procedures including the State of Illinois regulations.
- Ability to use Salesforce for data entry, report generation, and assisting with various administrative tasks.
- Adhere to policies and procedures in the administration of programs and delivery of services.
- Maintain OTA license by obtaining sufficient continuing education units, while working towards ABS accreditation.
Must Haves:
- To thrive in this role, you should have:
- Associate's degree in Occupational Therapy.
- Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) in the state of Illinois.
- Experience working with children/adults with ASD and other developmental disabilities preferred.
- Obtain DIRFloortime Basic Level Certificate within 4 months of hire, DIRFloortime Proficiency Level Certificate within 9 months of hire, DIRFloortime Advance Level Certificate within 12 months of hire; obtain other relevant substitute training as approved by the grant(s) or within the State of IL ABS rules.
- Skilled in establishing rapport and fostering trust with children, adults, and families from diverse cultural backgrounds.
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to effectively engage, listen, and collaborate with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including clients, families, and multidisciplinary teams.
- Demonstrated passion for working with culturally, racially diverse, and underserved communities, with a focus on providing equitable and inclusive care.
- Demonstrated expertise in data management using Salesforce, EHR systems, and other relevant platforms, ensuring timely, accurate and compliant clinical documentation.
- Basic computer proficiency, including Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel), data entry and web navigation.
Nice to Haves:
- Bilingual proficiency in spoken and written English and Chinese (Cantonese preferred, Mandarin and/or Toishanese a plus).
- Basic understanding of Salesforce or similar data management systems is a plus.
Physical Demands:
- Must be able to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods, with occasional lifting or moving of objects weighing up to 20 pounds.
Environment and Scheduling:
- Work is performed during the hours of 8:00 am to 7:00 pm in 8-hour shifts, Monday through Friday, and one rotational Saturday a month at minimum.
- Must be flexible and available to work after regular business hours when necessary (e.g., weekends and evening periods).
- Accessibility to personal vehicle to accommodate home visits, outreach events, and other conferences that arise.
- Delivery of services in the home or community-based settings as needed.
Why Choose CASL:
Inclusivity: Join an organization that values mutual respect and acceptance, fostering a culture of inclusivity.
Empowerment: Support staff empowerment through skill development and growth opportunities.
Collaboration: Be part of a workplace that thrives on collaboration and teamwork.
Transformation: Envision and realize transformative changes in people, processes, and policies.
Resiliency: Work with a dynamic workforce and model resiliency to achieve collective strengths.
Benefits:
Join CASL and unlock a comprehensive benefits package designed to support you and your loved ones. As a full-time employee, you'll enjoy a range of options tailored to your needs: Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage; Flexible Spending Account (FSA) & Health Savings Account (HSA); Life Insurance, AD&D Insurance, Disability Insurance; Voluntary Worksite Benefits, Pet Insurance; Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Additionally, our holiday schedule includes New Year’s Day, MLK Day, Chinese New Year, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Indigenous People’s Day, Thanksgiving, the Day After Thanksgiving, Christmas Day.
Join Us and Make a Difference:
Join us at CASL, where together, we create a brighter future for our community.
Thank you for your interest in joining our team! Each resume is reviewed personally by our dedicated team members, not AI. This thorough and thoughtful evaluation process may take a bit of time, so we kindly ask for your patience. Rest assured, we will get back to you as soon as we have an update on your application status. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to reviewing your application.
At CASL, we believe that diverse perspectives fuel innovation and drive success. If you're excited about the opportunity but unsure if you meet every requirement listed, we still encourage you to submit your application. Our company culture thrives on the unique talents and experiences that each individual brings to the table. We're looking for the right fit, and that goes beyond a checklist of qualifications. Join us in shaping a dynamic and inclusive team where your skills and contributions truly matter.
CASL is an equal-opportunity employer. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences.
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