Occupational Therapist - As Needed

Under the supervision of the Program Manager and with clinical guidance from Occupational Therapy staff, the Occupational Therapist I is an entry-level role responsible for providing diagnostic and therapeutic occupational therapy services to a full caseload of patients. This position participates in departmental programs, education, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

The Total Rehab Care caseload spans

newborn through geriatric populations

, while Behavioral Health serves

adults age 18+

. In accordance with licensure, the Occupational Therapist I supervises Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTAs), rehabilitation aides, and may supervise students when experience and clinical competency meet departmental and national guidelines.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive patient assessments in accordance with licensure and departmental standards
• Design, implement, and adapt individualized therapy interventions and patient/family education plans
• Maintain accurate, timely clinical documentation per regulatory and departmental requirements
• Apply critical thinking to patient care, integrating physiological, psychological, age-specific, socio-economic, and educational factors
• Provide discharge planning recommendations, including transitions of care and community resource utilization
• Supervise and mentor assistants, aides, students, observers, and volunteers as applicable

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Graduate of an accredited Occupational Therapy program
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy

Experience

One (1) year of relevant experience preferred (new graduates encouraged to apply)

Licensure & Certification

Current Maryland Occupational Therapy license

or

• temporary Maryland license pending state board examination or reciprocity
• Current BLS certification required (BLS not required for Behavioral Health positions)

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of occupational therapy treatment interventions
• Strong assessment, clinical reasoning, and treatment-planning skills
• Ability to evaluate patient progress and modify treatment plans as needed
• Effective communication skills with patients, families, and interdisciplinary teams

Physical & Working Conditions

• Ability to perform patient handling and therapeutic activities, including lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling as required
• Requires fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and sustained attention to detail
• May involve exposure to blood and body fluids and other healthcare-related environmental conditions
• Why Join Us?
• Supportive clinical leadership and collaborative team environment
• Opportunity to work with diverse patient populations across the lifespan
• Professional growth through mentorship, education, and interdisciplinary practice

Happy to Help

At Meritus, we believe in a collaborative and caring work environment. Interactions are an opportunity to learn, listen and to be there for one another. Therefore, we provide warm welcomes, hospitality-driven closures, and are always Happy to Help.