Occupational Therapist - Community Behavioral Health

Overview

Opportunities Abound at SOUND

Sound Behavioral Health is growing, and we are hiring an occupational therapist in Seattle, WA! Sound is one of King County’s most comprehensive providers of quality mental health and addiction treatment services, supporting our area’s most vulnerable populations. A central tenet of our work is Reaching Recovery, an evidence-based clinical care model.

The occupational therapist (OT) provides medically necessary client-centered, evidence-informed occupational therapy services to individuals with behavioral health conditions within a team-based, integrated care model. Services are designed to support recovery, independence, and meaningful participation in daily life by supporting occupational performance and engagement across daily life roles and activities. Occupation (engagement in everyday activity) serves as both the therapeutic medium and the desired outcome of occupational therapy intervention.

Working as part of an interdisciplinary care team, the OT collaborates closely with behavioral health, medical, and social service providers to deliver whole-person care. Services are aligned with Washington State Medicaid benefits and the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) model, emphasizing access, coordination, and measurable clinical outcomes. This position supports adults who are 21 years old or older. 

Schedule: 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday, with flexible scheduling. 

Location: Split between Lake City Way and Fremont neighborhoods in Seattle. Frequent driving is required. 

Accepting applications until November 9. 

Responsibilities

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES

Clinical Care (Integrated & Team-Based)

• Conduct comprehensive occupational therapy evaluations, including an occupational profile to identify the client’s occupational history, roles, values, interests, and priorities, using standardized, valid, and reliable assessment tools to evaluate performance skills, performance patterns, client factors, and contextual and environmental influences on occupational performance, identifying functional deficitsand treatment needs
• Develop individualized plans of care in collaboration with the client, with measurable goals tied to functional outcomes
• Analyze activity demands and grade or adapt tasks, materials, and environments to match the client’s current level of function, providing the appropriate level of challenge to support skill acquisition and engagement
• Deliver skilled therapeutic interventions to improve or restore functioning, including:
  • Activities of daily living (ADLs)
  • Instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs)
  • Sensory modulation and sensory processing strategies to support emotional regulation, self-management, and de-escalation
  • Rest and sleep participation
  • Leisure exploration and participation
  • Work, volunteer, and productive role participation
  • Executive functioning, organization, and routines
  • Health management and wellness
  • Social participation and community integration
• Reassess progress and adjust interventions to ensure ongoing effectiveness of services
• Plan and facilitate individual and group occupation-based interventions grounded in evidence-based practice
• Recommend environmental modifications, adaptive equipment, and compensatory strategies to support safety, independence, and occupational performance
• Recognize signs of escalation, decompensation, or risk to safety, and participate in safety planning and crisis response within the scope of OT practice
• Maintain an assigned clinical caseload and deliver direct, billable occupational therapy services in accordance with agency productivity and clinical standards

Team-Based Care & Care Integration

• Actively participate in team-based care, contributing OT expertise to shared intervention planning and care decisions
• Collaborate with behavioral health clinicians, medical practitioners, and care coordinators to ensure services are clinically appropriate within the overall care plan.
• Participate in case conferences, multidisciplinary team meetings, and care huddles
• Support integrated care planning that aligns occupation-based OT interventions with the team’s broader treatment goals
• Facilitate care coordination and transitions across levels of care and community settings

Documentation & Compliance

• Complete timely, accurate documentation that clearly establishes and supports medical necessity, skilled need, and functional outcomes
• Ensure documentation meets Medicaid, CCBHC, and agency standards for reimbursement and audit readiness
• Utilize standardized outcome measures and functional assessments to demonstrate clinical progress and continued need for services

Client & Caregiver Support

• Educate clients and caregivers on strategies that support functional improvement, and whole health and total wellness
• Promote the development of sustainable habits and routines that support health, wellbeing, and occupational engagement
• Reinforce skills across settings, including home, clinic, and community

Clinical Supervision and Professional Development

• Serve as fieldwork educator and clinical resource for Level I and Level II occupational therapy students and provide clinical oversight for Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTAs), as assigned, in accordance with AOTA, ACOTE, and the Washington State Occupational Therapy Practice Act.
• Maintain current evidence-based practice knowledge and continuing competence consistent with NBCOT and Washington State OT licensure requirements
• Other duties as assigned

KEY WORK RELATIONSHIPSDevelops and maintains collaborative working relationships across departments, engaging with clients, team members, management, and leadership in a manner that values diverse perspectives and lived experiences. Contributes to a respectful and inclusive work environment by practicing cultural humility, promoting equity in services and decision-making, and supporting efforts that foster a sense of belonging for all.

Qualifications

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Master's or Doctoral degree from an ACOTE-accredited occupational therapy program, including completion of Level II Fieldwork.
• Two (2) or more years of experience providing occupational therapy services in inpatient mental health, behavioral health, community mental health, integrated care, primary care, or outpatient settings preferred.
• Experience serving individuals with serious mental illness (SMI), substance use disorders, intellectual/developmental disabilities, or complex medical and behavioral health needs preferred.
• Experience working within Medicaid-funded programs, Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs), or integrated healthcare environments preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES, AND SKILLS

• Knowledge of occupational therapy principles, evidence-based practices, behavioral health, and integrated care models.
• Knowledge of the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework (OTPF-4) and its application to occupational performance, performance skills, performance patterns, client factors, and contexts and environments.
• Knowledge of sensory processing and sensory modulation approaches and their application to behavioral health and emotional regulation.
• Ability to analyze activity demands and grade or adapt tasks, materials, and environments to match client abilities and support skill development.
• Knowledge of ADLs, IADLs, executive functioning, community integration, recovery-oriented care, and trauma-informed practices.
• Ability to conduct evaluations, develop care plans, and provide skilled interventions that support functional outcomes
• Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams to support integrated care and treatment planning.
• Skill in educating clients, caregivers, and team members on therapeutic strategies and wellness practices.
• Ability to maintain accurate, timely documentation that meets Medicaid, CCBHC, and regulatory requirements.
• Strong verbal and written communication, clinical decision-making, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with electronic health records and other technology required to perform essential job functions.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, maintain professional boundaries, and uphold ethical and confidentiality standards.
• Ability to select, administer, and interpret standardized, valid, and reliable assessment tools appropriate to behavioral health populations.
• Knowledge of supervision requirements for COTAs and occupational therapy fieldwork students, and ability to provide clinical supervision in accordance with AOTA, ACOTE, and Washington State regulations.
• Knowledge of and adherence to the AOTA Code of Ethics and the Washington State Occupational Therapy Practice Act.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES & REGISTRATIONS

• Current Occupational Therapist (OT) license in the State of Washington, or a current Washington OT limited permit held in association with a supervising OT licensed in Washington with a minimum of one year of experience, in accordance with WAC 246-847-135. 
• Current certification through the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT), or active NBCOT exam candidacy (e.g., a valid Authorization to Test) consistent with Washington OT limited permit status.
• Valid Washington State driver's license, reliable transportation, and ability to travel between program sites and community locations, if required.
• Ability to pass required background checks and maintain compliance with agency and funding source requirements.

SENSORY/PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTSThe requirements described below are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Sensory:

• Speaking, hearing (with or without aid), near vision (with or without aid), far vision (with or without aid), depth perception, peripheral vision, touch, and balance sufficient to perform the essential functions of the position.
• Ability to observe, assess, and respond appropriately to client behaviors, physical functioning, and environmental safety concerns.

Physical:

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, reach, stoop, kneel, and move throughout office, clinic, home, and community-based environments.
• Ability to use hands and fingers for keyboarding, writing, handling therapy materials, and operating standard office equipment.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 10-25 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to travel between agency locations and community settings as required.
• Ability to maintain regular and predictable attendance.

Mental:

• Ability to maintain concentration, exercise sound clinical judgment, and make decisions in a fast-paced healthcare environment.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, adapt to changing circumstances, and meet deadlines while maintaining attention to detail.
• Ability to effectively interact with individuals experiencing behavioral health, cognitive, emotional, and physical health challenges.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries, handle confidential information, and respond appropriately in crisis or high-stress situations.

Perks at Sound!

All Team Members at Sound working 40 hours per week will be eligible for the following benefits:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance: Premium 100% paid by Sound for team member and child coverage to age 26, depending on plan selected. Spouse/Domestic Partner coverage available at team member’s cost.
• Life Insurance (2x annual salary + additional $25,000): paid by Sound
• Long Term Disability Insurance (60% monthly salary): paid by Sound
• Retirement Plan: Sound contributes 3% to team member’s plan; team member is 100% vested.
• Retirement Plan - 401(k) Plan, pre-tax and/or Roth: team membermay contribute to their own plan.
• Health Savings Account: Sound contributes $1,133.33 (individual) or $2,266.67 (family) for eligible team members, pro-rated for new hires in first year.
• Flexible Spending Accounts: for health care and dependent day care costs (pre-tax)
• EAP: Employee Assistance Plan
• Vacation: 18 days per year, increasing with years of service
• Holidays: 9 days per year
• Sick Leave: 12 days per year
• Bereavement Leave: for death in the family
• Parking: Free at all Sound sites
• Training: Free in-house professional training and $400 annually + 3 paid days approved off-site training
• Service Award: at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 & 40 years of service

Compensation: $40.00-$45.00 per hour. $5,000 signing bonus! 

#IND