Occupational Therapist II - Youth Behavioral Health

Occupational Therapist II - Youth Behavioral Health at UNC Health Care summary :

The Occupational Therapist II - Youth Behavioral Health at UNC Health provides comprehensive occupational therapy services to children and adolescents facing mental health challenges. This role emphasizes a trauma-informed care approach, offering assessments and therapeutic interventions while contributing to program development and mentorship of students and staff. The therapist will work collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team to promote positive coping skills and quality patient care.

Description

Become part of an inclusive organization with over 40,000 teammates, whose mission is to improve the health and well-being of the unique communities we serve.

UNC Health Youth Behavioral Health (YBH) in Butner, North Carolina, is seeking a passionate and team-oriented  Occupational Therapist II  to support our patients and their families.

YBH is a state-of-the-art, 54-bed psychiatric facility providing 24-hour care for children and adolescents facing mental health challenges, dual diagnoses, substance misuse, and complex behaviors. Our philosophy emphasizes a trauma-informed, therapeutic environment designed to foster safety, positive coping skills, and healthy living.

At YBH, safety is at the core of our care, with a strong focus on developing positive coping skills, promoting healthy living, and introducing enriching leisure activities. Our therapy services are delivered by a collaborative interdisciplinary team, including Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Social Workers, and Nursing professionals.

Summary :

This position is eligible for a Commitment Incentive of $10,000 for a (3) three-year work commitment!

We are seeking an  Occupational Therapist II  with five years of experience in autism, intellectual and developmental delays, and dual diagnoses. In this role, you will provide comprehensive occupational therapy services, including assessments, therapeutic interventions, discharge planning, and mentorship. You’ll also support professional growth within the department, contributing to program development, quality improvement, and innovative patient care delivery.

Additionally, the Occupational Therapist will serve as a clinical educator for Level I and Level II occupational therapy students, offering guidance and expertise to the next generation of professionals.

Schedule : Monday through Friday, with occasional weekend and holiday coverage.

Preferred Qualifications : Candidates with experience in hospital-based mental health therapy services and expertise in working with children and adolescents are highly desired. Prefer additional training and / or certifications in evidence-based & best practices with these populations (i.e. sensory processing, DIR).

This role involves highly skilled rehabilitative work with patients whose abilities to perform daily tasks are impacted by developmental, psychological, or social challenges. The Occupational Therapist provides evaluation, consultation, and skilled treatment while serving as a departmental leader in a specialty area. This includes mentoring staff, supervising students, and contributing to innovative program development to enhance patient care.

If you’re ready to join a supportive team in a meaningful role, apply today!

Responsibilities :

1. Diagnostic Testing : Administer basic & complex diagnostic testing and evaluations in the area of Occupational Therapy. Performs as an expert in this competency area, providing specialty education at the graduate and doctoral levels as appropriate.

2. Education : Teaches & supervises graduate Occupational Therapy students, fellows and residents. Develops or contributes to innovative programs to enhance patient care. Serves as resource consultant to other clinicians in respective specialty area. Provides specialty education at the graduate and doctoral levels as appropriate. Acts as clinical trainer for new employees hired into department as needed. Provides clinical supervision and teaching for multiple students and / or staff. Plans orientation, caseload, and other learning activities. Provides regular feedback and coaching.

3. Evaluation of Care : Analyzes results of diagnostic and or therapeutic testing to establish patient goals and or modify subsequent treatment programs. Identifies expected patient outcomes. Communicates relevant information to promote continuity of care. Performs as an expert in this competency area, providing specialty education at the graduate and doctoral levels as appropriate.

4. Implementation : Selects and applies advanced techniques to provide quality and efficient rehabilitative services. Organizes and prioritizes care according to patient / family needs. Performs as an expert in this competency area, providing specialty education at the graduate and doctoral levels as appropriate.

5. Outreach / Community Involvement : Serve as consultant to North Carolina government departments and statewide health professionals in specialty areas. Presents at state or national conferences, participates in community health screening and events. Develops new clinical programs to meet emerging needs.

6. Participation : Contributes to quality of clinical services through attendance and participation in departmental meetings and in-services. Attends staff meetings, huddles etc. and consistently contribute to relevant discussions, acting to lead meetings as needed.

7. Quality : Contributes to quality of clinical services through maintenance of valid & reliable records of patient procedures & progress. Takes the lead in continuous quality improvement efforts in conjunction with the department director.

8. Research : Conducts evidence-based practices reviews for service area and supports clinical research activities. May contribute to or author publications. Participates in research-based committees and may conduct ongoing research to improve the clinical profession. Supports development of EBP for the department by leading Journal Clubs, Special Interest Group discussions and protocol update reviews.

Qualifications

Education Requirements :

• Graduation from an accredited Occupational Therapy program.

Licensure / Certification Requirements :

Professional Experience Requirements :

Job Details

Legal Employer : STATE

Entity : UNC Medical Center

Organization Unit : UNCH YBH Occupation Therapy

Work Type : Full Time

Standard Hours Per Week : 40.00

Salary Range :  $35.52 - $51.05 per hour (Hiring Range)

Pay offers are determined by experience and internal equity

Work Assignment Type : Onsite

Work Schedule : Day Job

Location of Job : Butner : NC : 27509

Exempt From Overtime : Exempt : Yes

This is a State position employed by UNC Health Care System with UNC Health benefits. If, however, you are presently an employee of another North Carolina agency and currently participate in TSERS or the ORP, you will be eligible to continue participating in those plans at UNC Health.

Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

UNC Health makes reasonable accommodations for applicants' and employees' religious practices and beliefs, as well as applicants and employees with disabilities. All interested applicants are invited to apply for career opportunities. Please email applicant.accommodations@unchealth.unc.edu if you need a reasonable accommodation to search and / or to apply for a career opportunity.

Keywords :

Occupational Therapist, Youth Behavioral Health, Mental Health, Therapeutic Interventions, Patient Care, Trauma-Informed Care, Program Development, Clinical Education, Rehabilitative Services, Autism Therapy