Speech Language Pathologist

Company: Natividad Medical Center
Location: Salinas
Posted on: February 28, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Position Description Natividad is currently seeking to fill a full-time Occupational Therapist in our Acute Rehabilitation Unit. Whether you're laying the foundation of your career or a seasoned Occupational Therapist - ARU in search of a nurturing environment to call home, we are confident you'll feel the difference the moment you join our team. Being at Natividad means being a part of a national inpatient rehabilitation leader. We take pride in the collaborative spirit of our team members, united for the greater good of our patients. Our recognitions, 8 consecutive years in the top 10% of the Nation for Quality and Outcomes, top 10 for LifePoint Acute Rehab Units, being recognized by News Week for top 25 Best Rehab Units in the nation and the CARF accreditation for Stroke and Medical Rehab make us immensely proud. Start a rewarding career with comprehensive benefits, ensuring your peace of mind and professional growth from day one. Welcome to a fulfilling career journey where your care brings lasting impact and personal fulfillment. The County of Monterey is committed to honoring the service and sacrifice of veterans and eligible military spouses and awards veterans’ preference points for this recruitment. To learn more about the eligibility requirements and the process, be sure to read the Hiring Preference for Veterans and Eligible Military Spouses section located towards the end of this job flier. Natividad may offer a sign-on bonus to candidates hired into a permanent position. Examples of Duties Evaluates and assesses patients' functional status, using a variety of evaluation techniques, including observation, tests and questionnaires Develops an occupational therapy treatment plan and goals for patients, including frequency and duration of treatment, according to physician's guidelines Implements patients' approved treatment plans utilizing recognized therapeutic techniques Provides appropriate therapeutic activities to assist in improvement of muscular functions, daily living skills, mental rehabilitation and general physical condition; designs and constructs special equipment for individuals Consults with physicians, nursing staff, community agencies, psychiatrists, social workers and family members regarding a variety of issues, including patient Observes, assesses and reports on patients' status and progress on an ongoing basis; documents treatment and progress in charts Instructs patients in activities of daily living and assists with adjustment problems; consults with discharge planners to provide continuity of care Prepares billings, authorizations for treatment and correspondence; prepares quality assurance records; conducts in-service training; may work on program development, policies, procedures and special projects Maintains Department equipment and supplies; may prepare supply and equipment orders May direct work of field work interns, providing input for evaluation Attends and participates in a variety of meetings, including departmental, geriatric assessment and discharge planning; keeps abreast of current developments in the field through continuing education Examples of Experience/Education/Training MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Required Licensure: Possession of a valid Occupational Therapist license issued by the State of California or the ability to obtain prior to start. (Please ensure the name on your license/certification either matches the name on your application or is indicated somewhere on your application, as all licenses/certifications will be verified via primary source.) THE IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL HAVE THE FOLLOWING: Working Knowledge of: Theory and practice of occupational therapy skills related to mental and physical illness or disability Therapeutic techniques, including prevocational exploration and self-care activities commonly used in occupational therapy The basic pathology involved in diseases and injuries resulting in physical and mental handicaps Child growth and development Some Knowledge of: Various physical disabilities, including injuries and disabilities of the hands and fingers Construction and use of special equipment Physical and psychological problems of the handicapped person Hospital practices and procedures including documentation, TARs, billings, authorizations for treatment and quality assurance reporting Age and cultural perspectives, including developmental milestones in adult life Skill and Ability to: Evaluate and assess functional status of patients Develop effective occupational therapy treatment plans with measurable goals Administer occupational therapy treatment to patients in accordance with approved treatment plans Care for and maintain equipment and supplies Prepare and maintain accurate records and documentation; prepare billings and correspondence Follow oral and written directions Be flexible and competent in working with a variety of diagnoses and changes Work in a dynamic environment Communicate effectively with a variety of people in one to one and group situations Ability to interpret occupational therapy treatments to staff, relatives, patients and others Follow safety procedures and practices Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work EXAMPLES OF EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION/TRAINING Any combination of training, education and/or experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities and required conditions of employment listed above is qualifying. An example of a way these requirements might be acquired is: Experience: Two years of work experience as registered Occupational Therapist Education: Graduate of an occupational therapy curriculum accredited by the American Occupational Therapy Association, the World Federation of Occupation Therapy or another nationally recognized occupational therapy association Additional Information CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT Natividad requires that all incumbents pass a pre-employment physical/medical assessment. Natividad will conduct a thorough background and reference check process which includes a Department of Justice fingerprint check. Employees who drive on County business to carry out job related duties must possess a valid Driver License for the class vehicle driven or have the ability to provide suitable transportation that is approved by the appointing authority. Employees must have and show their original Social Security Card and a valid Driver License or State ID prior to the first day of work (Social Security Card is required for payroll purposes only). Incumbents may be required to work all shifts, including irregular hours, nights, weekends and holidays. Incumbents may be required to work with potentially hazardous and infectious substances. REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS AND SCREENING PROCESS APPLICATION SUBMISSION - Exam 26/50F20/02SS: A completed Monterey County Application and responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire, must be submitted to the Natividad Human Resources Office, 1441 Constitution Blvd., Bldg. 300, Salinas, CA. 93906 OR on-line applications may be submitted at www.natividad.com Optional resume may be attached to the on-line application or emailed separately to : SchererSD@natividad.com, resume will be accepted in addition to, but not in lieu of the required application materials. For more information or to receive application materials, you may contact the Natividad Human Resources Office at (831) 783-2700. Office hours, M - F, 7:30a.m.- 5 p.m . QUALIFICATIONS APPRAISAL: All licenses/certificates will be verified via primary source. Completed application materials will be competitively evaluated. Please note: The initial screening for this position uses ONLY the applicant's answers to the Supplemental Questions. Screeners (who are Subject Matter Experts) are not given the application and/or resumes at this point in the process. Therefore, your answers to the Supplemental Questions are critical. The best-qualified applicants will be invited to participate further in the process. QUALIFICATIONS ASSESSMENT: To further assess applicants' possessions of required qualifications, this process may include an oral examination, pre-exam exercise, performance exam, or physical ability exam. ELIGIBLE LIST: Applicants successful in the Qualifications Assessment process will be placed on an eligible list for possible final selection interview. This eligible list will be used to fill current and future vacancies. Exam 26/50F20/02SS HIRING PREFERENCE FOR VETERANS AND ELIGIBLE MILITARY SPOUSES The County of Monterey is committed to honoring the service and sacrifice of veterans and eligible military spouses (i.e., surviving spouses of veterans, spouses of totally disabled veterans, and spouses of active-duty service members) and awards veterans’ preference points for this recruitment. To obtain a Veterans and Eligible Military Spouse Preference Application, please visit the Human Resources website or click on the following link: Click Here to View the Veterans and Eligible Military Spouse Preference Application To apply for veterans’ preference points, veterans or eligible military spouses must complete and email a Veterans and Eligible Military Spouse Preference Application with supporting documentation of their eligibility by the final filing deadline to: VeteransPreferencePoints@countyofmonterey.gov SPECIAL NOTES If you believe you possess a disability that would require test accommodation, please contact the Natividad HR Analyst - Stacey Scherer at 831-783-2711. Employment is contingent upon acceptable documentation verifying identity and authorization for employment in the United States. If you are hired into this classification in a per-diem position, your salary will be hourly and you will not be eligible for benefits. Occupational Therapist ARU Per-Diem salary rate is: $59.814 - $81.693 per hour.

Keywords: Natividad Medical Center , Palo Alto , Speech Language Pathologist, Healthcare , Salinas, California