Occupational Therapist - Drug User Health Program

Project Renewal is a leading non-profit organization with the mission of building supportive communities where people achieve dignity and independence, renewing their lives with health, homes, and jobs. Our comprehensive and integrated 24/7 programs are designed to offer the holistic care our clients need. With a staff of 950+ and an annual budget of $140 million, Project Renewal is one of the larger social service nonprofits in New York City.

Title: Occupational Therapist
Program: Drug User Health Program
Location: Office space at Fort Washington Men’s Shelter (West 168th St) and In Homes Now (West 126th Street) * The majority of work is done in the field
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm
Reports to: Occupational Therapy Supervisor and Director of Substance Use Services
Salary: $87,500.00 - $90,000.00

Overall Responsibilities:

The Occupational Therapist will work with the Drug User Health (DUH) team to outreach clients across Project Renewal and provide clinical support and services for engagement in dignified recovery-based treatment. This outreach will target individuals with Opioid Use Disorder or a history of opioid use, including those with a recent overdose event. OT services will include a functional evaluation and needs assessment to better understand the client’s strengths and pathways to productive participation, as well as the skill deficits that will pose potential barriers to treatment. OT interventions will then be designed to facilitate engagement in the recovery process and increase participation in meaningful daily activities that support physical and mental wellbeing. The OT will work closely with the DUH Peers and Nurse Care Managers to help clients increase their ability to navigate DUH systems and resources with an emphasis on access to MAT, overdose prevention and response.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
The essential duties of the Occupational Therapist include but are not limited to the following activities:

Helping to ensure that PRI programs and individual clients are aware of the DUH program and all available services including Occupational Therapy.
Conducting individual client assessments and developing corresponding treatment plans.
Conducting 1:1 OT sessions focused on developing skills for effective implementation of strategies that promote health and safety in the client’s home and community.
Implementing and leading therapeutic OT groups with a focus on Overdose Prevention.
Assisting clients to develop the skills and support necessary to safely perform activities of daily living and meet identified goals.
Accompanying clients to appointments for medical and/or psychiatric treatment, benefits assistance, leisure and/or vocational exploration, etc. as clinically indicated.
Linking clients to community-based services for DUH and other identified needs.
Planning program-wide special events and community outings.
Documenting all clinical work as per program requirements.
Collecting data and consulting with PEQA to ensure program objectives are being met.
Collaborating with members of the DUH interdisciplinary team as well as members of the team at various program sites.
Assisting with on-site supervision of OT interns as indicated.
Participating in all assigned DUH meetings and supervision sessions.
Participating in weekly supervision with the assigned OT supervisor.

Note:

This position requires the OT to travel to all PRI program sites as needed to follow up on overdose events. The majority of the OT’s work will be done in the field.

Qualifications:

Candidates must have a Master’s Degree or Doctoral Degree in Occupational Therapy as well as current valid NYS licensure, or temporary licensure at time of hire.
Training and/or experience in community based behavioral health settings is preferred but not necessary.
Additional responsibilities and/or requirements may be determined based upon the specific program and client population’s unique needs.

Project Renewal is an equal opportunity employer. Its long-standing policy has been to embrace the equality of opportunity for all employees and applicants without regard to actual or perceived race, color, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, religion or creed, gender (see separately issued Gender Discrimination policy for more detail), physical or mental disability, age (18 and over), military status, arrest record, marital status, domestic partnership status, genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristic, sexual orientation, status as a victim or witness of domestic violence, sex offenses or stalking, unemployment status or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state and local laws.