Occupational Therapist | Competency Restoration Program

About Us
Bakersfield Behavioral Healthcare Hospital, located in Bakersfield, California, is an acute psychiatric and behavioral 90-bed facility situated on 8.8 acres.
We offer inpatient and outpatient services for children, adolescents, and adults needing mental/behavioral health, chemical dependency;
and co-occurring disorders treatment through our medically supervised detoxification.
Within our Workplace Community, BBHH is striving daily to be one of the BEST PLACES TO WORK not just here in Kern County, but throughout the Behavioral Healthcare Community.
By offering amazing benefits, encouraging individual growth and development, and incorporating our CARES values system into our daily operations, we are creating a JUST workplace culture where people enjoy coming to work each day.
BBHH CARES about your experience as a candidate and we encourage you to apply to our open positions.
Compassion
Acceptance
Respect
Empowerment
Sincerity
Job Summary
Our progressive and dedicated healthcare team strives to change the lives of our patients and provide exceptional care.
This Occupational Therapist position is on our IST Unit, a 29-bed area of three units in the hospital dedicated to patients found by a court to be incompetent to stand trial (IST).
The attention to detail and level of situational awareness required of the staff in the IST Unit is paramount to the success of the Competency Restoration Program.
Patients in this unit must be restored to competency before the legal process can continue and our CARES values system must be on display in every act of patient care, no matter the circumstances.
BBHH is a fast-paced environment that requires critical thinking, teamwork, and excellent communication between staff and patients.
We are looking for an Occupational Therapist to help the IST Unit here at BBHH provide excellent care and to join our Workplace Community in our effort to be the best hospital we can be.
Some of the fundamentals we're looking for in those who apply to this position include:

Someone who demonstrates sound judgment and patient care skills and utilizes these skills in executing the activities and schedules on the unit.
A caring, compassionate human being with a record of consistently showcasing high-quality interpersonal skills to be an exemplary role model to others and assist patients however necessary;
Someone capable of displaying basic knowledge of treatment procedures;
interventions common toacute psychotic as well as non-violent crises intervention practice;

A person with basic knowledge of abnormal psychology as typically found in the IST population, application of this knowledge to the care of our patients by ensuring a clear line of communication with the RN's, MHW's, and medical staff on the unit, and a basic understanding of medical terminology in psychiatric care;

Anorganized individual with exceptional organizational and time management;

Someone with strong written and oral communication skills in the English language;
Requirements
WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR
Simply put:
HUMANS WHO CARE
Though we do need to meet some minimum requirements for the position such a High School Diploma or Equivalent, a Master's Degree, or a Bachelor's Degree with qualifying Therapist licensures and certificates, we're really looking for people who bring their HEART to work.
If you have previous experience in a mental healthcare hospital environment where your attention was focused on helping patients with human behavior, psychiatry, psychology, or other mental healthcare situations, or specific experience in Competency Restoration Programs, then your application to this position will be moved to the shortlist of candidates.
The Occupational Therapist serves as a member of the interdisciplinary team, providing therapeutic interventions and recreational services to patients in our IST Competency Restoration Program at the hospital.
The position requires a mnimum of 2 years experience in a healthcare, psychiatric care, and/or educational field.
Inpatient psychiatric experience preferred.
Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as psychology, therapeutic recreation, music therapy, art therapy, or occupational therapy with a recreation therapist certificate. Certification is not required with a Master's degree in a relevant field.
Excellent communication, assessment, evaluation, and interpretation skills will be paramount to your success in this role.
Knowledge of psychiatric methodologies in the care and treatment of patients;
flexibility;
teaching or training skills;
understanding of and ability to apply DSM-V methodology.
Our patients, our community, and our co-workers RELY on us to be committed to their wellness,
Through prevention, intervention, treatment, and education, we can and will make a difference not just here in Bakersfield, but throughout our extended communities.
You should have a current CPR certification when you apply or obtain certification prior to your start date.
If you don't have a current CPR certification, just let us know and we'll make sure you get it before you start -- and even cover the cost for you.
Additionally, you'll complete a "
Handle-With-Care"
Physical Restraint Technique Training during your orientation so that you know how and when to engage when such an event occurs.
BBHH encourages ALL qualified candidates to apply.
The position pays:
Associate license wage range:
$28.39/hr.
- $38.21/hr.
Licensed wage range:
$32.22/hr.
- $43.57/hr.
Weekend differential applies
*Internal candidates (existing Therapists at BBHH) hired for an equivalent position will not receive an increase in compensation.
We look forward to reviewing your application TODAY!
Benefits
Bakersfield Behavioral Healthcare Hospital is proud to offer a suite of benefits to those who join our workplace community.
*Benefits eligibility varies based on employment status (full-time, part-time, per diem, temporary, etc.).
Some of the benefits you can expect as a Full-Time employee include:
Paid Time Off
over THREE WEEKS of Paid Time Off in your first year!!!
Life Insurance
Short-Term Disability Insurance
Long-Term Disability Insurance
Medical Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Pet Insurance
Accident Insurance
401k Retirement Plan
Discounted Meals
Employee Assistance Program
TUITION Assistance