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Job description
Occupational Therapist
Erie County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and committed to workplace diversity. All correspondence regarding online applications will be via email. Paper applications containing an email address will also receive email correspondence. If no email is provided, paper notification will arrive via USPS.
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 Corporation, Erie 1 BOCES 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.
Examples of Duties
An Occupational Therapist plans and administers treatment programs for medically referred patients consisting of therapeutic activities, self-help techniques and assistive devices to prevent, reduce or remedy the disabling effects of illness, injury and birth defects; Evaluates physical, psycho-social and perceptual dysfunction of referred persons as related to need for occupational therapy which may include driver rehabilitation services; Plans, administers and supervises treatment procedures, involving selective use of creative, manual and industrial arts and crafts, recreational; educational and other activities, fabrication of hand splints, assistive devices, self-help techniques, etc.; Coordinates occupational therapy with other patient care services concerned with restoration and maintenance of the patients optimal level functions; Evaluates and makes recommendations for training in another occupation 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; Keeps accurate records on treatment and makes written reports on patients' progress for inclusion in the patients' medical record; Attendance at conferences and clinics relating to patient care which may include driver rehabilitation services.
Minimum Qualifications
Updated 2025 Minimum Qualifications: Candidates must meet the following requirements on or before the date of the written test: A.) Possession of a license to practice Occupational Therapy in New York at time of appointment and maintenance throughout duration of appointment; or B.) Possession of a Limited Permit to practice as an Occupational Therapist in New York State as issued by the New York State Education Department at the time of appointment and licensed as an Occupational Therapist in New York State as issued by the New York State Education Department within one year and maintenance of license throughout duration of appointment.
Possession of Occupational Therapy certification* (see Note) as issued by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) within one (1) year 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.
IN ADDITION, 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 days of appointment; and
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.
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.
Supplemental Information
Subjects 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.
How to apply: Either online by clicking "Apply" on the top right of the online exam announcement or by printing a paper application from erie.gov, Erie County Application for Examination or Appointment, or 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.
Military status: If you expect to enter military service, you may still compete in this examination and may be appointed or reinstated after you return home from active duty.
Verification of qualifications: Candidates may be investigated or called for an interview to determine whether they qualified for appointment. In addition to meeting specific requirements, candidates and appointees must be of good moral character and habits.
Background investigation: Candidates may be subject to a thorough background investigation to determine suitability for appointment. Applicants may be required to authorize access to educational, employment, criminal history and other records check as part of such investigation. Criminal convictions or other offense are subject to evaluation and may result in disqualification. Applicant will be required to submit the necessary fees for the fingerprint processing, where required.
Veterans: Disabled and non-disabled veterans as defined in Section 85, New York State Civil Service Law, will have 10 and 5 points, respectively added to their earned scores if successful in the examination. You must claim these credits when you file application but you have an option to waive them any time prior to appointment. If you have already used these credits for a permanent position in NYS, you may not claim them again.
In conformance with section 85-a of the Civil Service Law, CHILDREN AND SIBLINGS OF FIREFIGHTERS, POLICE OFFICERS, EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS AND PARAMEDICS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY shall be entitled to receive an additional ten points in a competitive examination for original appointment in the same municipality in which his or her parent/sibling has served. If you are qualified to participate in this examination and are a child or sibling of a firefighter, police officer, EMT or paramedic killed in the line of duty in this municipality, please inform this office of this matter when you submit your application for examination. A candidate claiming such credit has a minimum of two months from the application deadline to provide the necessary documentation to verify additional credit eligibility. However, no credit may be added after the eligible list has been established.
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. If applying online the payment process will be outlined. When submitting by mail or hand delivering, 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
Worksite address
buffalo, NY, 14266, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.