Occupational Therapist

Residence Requirements:

RESIDENCE REQUIREMENTS: THERE ARE NO RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION IN THIS EXAMINATION. Preference may be given to successful candidates who have been residents of the municipality or school district* in which the appointment is to be made for one month preceding the date of the certification of the eligible list and who are residents of the municipality or school district at the time of appointment. Non-residents may be required to become a resident of the appointing municipality if local law so states.

*Candidates who reside in a school district which, for civil service purposes is administered by the Erie County Personnel Commissioner, but who are not legal residents of Erie County may apply for this examination. However, they will be certified for appointment only in the school district in which they are legal residents.

The eligible list resulting from this examination will be used to fill positions at the Erie County Medical Center ($32.26-$35.62 per hour), BOCES #1 and other Erie County School Districts.  **Salaries vary among municipalities and districts.

If you pass the examination, your name will appear on the continuous eligible list for one year. After one year, your name will be removed from the list. You may apply for retest at six month intervals.

Qualifications:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Candidates must meet the following requirements on or before the date of application:

Possession of a license to practice Occupational Therapy in New York at time of appointment and maintenance throughout duration of appointment.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AT ERIE COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER CORPORATION:
Possession of Occupational Therapy certification* (see Note) as issued by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) at time of appointment and maintenance throughout duration of appointment.

If assigned to the driver rehabilitation program at Erie County Medical Center, applicants must possess a valid New York State Driver’s License at time of appointment and maintenance throughout duration of appointment.

Possession of Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification within sixty (60) days of appointment and maintenance throughout duration of employment.

NOTE: *Permanent appointments made to licensed Occupational Therapist titles at ECMCC prior to March 1, 2018, are not required to maintain NBCOT certification and shall remain deemed qualified for this title.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ASSIGNMENT TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AREA:

Completion of initial and participation in annual re-training of New York State Office of Mental Health-certified Preventing and Managing Crisis Situation (PMCS) Training as administered by ECMCC Nursing Department within thirty (30) days of appointment; Section 424-a of the Social Services Law requires the local social services district to inquire whether the applicant is the subject of an indicated child abuse or maltreatment report on file with the State Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment. All potential employees for this position will be requested to sign the necessary clearance form prior to being advised that they will be hired. Refusal to sign will be cause for an automatic non-selection.

Notice to Candidates: Transcripts will now be accepted by the Department of Personnel ONLY at time of application.
All subsequent transcripts must be submitted at time of interview.

Examples of Duties:

DUTIES: An Occupational Therapist evaluates physical, psycho-social and perceptual dysfunction of referred persons; plans, administers and supervises treatment procedures involving selective use of creative, manual and industrial arts and crafts, recreational, education and other activities; fabricates hand splints and assistive devices; coordinates occupational therapy with other patient care services concerned with restoration and maintenance of the patient’s optimal level functions; evaluates and makes recommendations for training in other occupations more consistent with the patients’ present capabilities; works with contractors, designers and architects to provide equipment, furniture or accommodations appropriate for handicapped patients; reports to the patient’s physician regarding the patient’s treatment status and makes recommendations for modifications of treatment and rehabilitation objectives; maintains accurate records on treatment and makes written reports on patients’ progress for inclusion in the medical record; attends conferences and clinics relating to patient care.

A medical examination may be required before appointment.

Subjects of Examination:

SUBJECT OF EXAMINATION: The only subject of examination will be an evaluation of your training and experience. You are therefore, asked to include in your application a summary of all pertinent training and experience in sufficient detail so that your background may be evaluated against the duties of the position.

In your summary of training include all college course work, formal in-service training, and seminars you have attended. You must specify either the number of credits received or the number of contact hours and dates of attendance. Also include a copy of your professional license. Specify the date that your license was first issued.

In your summary of experience, you must specify the dates of your employment, the number of hours worked per week, your title, and the main duties for each. Be specific; vagueness and ambiguity will NOT be resolved in your favor. Candidates who submit incomplete applications or documentation may be disqualified.

Notes:

WHERE TO APPLY: You must obtain Form P.O. 30X, “Erie County Application for Examination or Appointment” at the Erie County Civil Service Commission/Personnel Office web site located at www.erie.gov. Click on “Civil Service Jobs”. If you do not have internet access you may pick up an application form at the Erie County Personnel Department, 95 Franklin Street, Room 604, Buffalo, New York 14202. Forms are also available at Buffalo and Erie County Public Libraries and at Town, Village and School District administrative offices.

Completed forms should then be returned to the Erie County Personnel Department. In addition, candidates must request their colleges to send transcripts to the Erie County Personnel Department or attach transcripts to your application. No applications will be evaluated until all the above information, including transcripts, is received.

REISSUED: 05/18

This examination is prepared by the New York State Department of Civil Service and held in compliance with the New York State Civil Service Law and the rules and regulations of the New York State Department of Civil Service.

**IMPORTANT APPLICATION FEE - READ CAREFULLY**

A $15.00 filing fee is required for this exam. The required fee must accompany your application. Send or bring check or money order made payable to Erie County Personnel Department and write the examination number(s) on your check or money order. Do not send or bring cash, as the County cannot be responsible for cash payment. As no refund will be made, you are urged to compare your qualifications carefully with the requirements for admission and file only for those examinations for which you are clearly qualified.

APPLICATION FEE WAIVER: A waiver of application fee will be allowed if you are unemployed and primarily responsible for the support of a household. In addition, a waiver of application fee will be allowed if you are determined eligible for Medicaid, or receiving Supplemental Security Income payments, or Public Assistance (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families/Family Assistance or Safety Net Assistance) or are certified Job Training Partnership Act/Workforce Investment Act eligible through a State or local social service agency.

All claims for application fee waiver are subject to verification. If you can verify eligibility for application fee waiver, complete a “Request for Application Fee Waiver and Certification: form and submit it with your application by the close of business on the Application Deadline as listed on the Examination Announcement. The form is available at the Erie County Personnel Department, 95 Franklin Street, Buffalo, NY (Room 604) or can be downloaded from the County’s website at www.erie.gov. Click on “County Departments and Agencies”, then “Erie County Civil Service”.