Job Description

Job Description and Duties

The Rehabilitation Therapist (Safety)will be directed by the Supervising Rehabilitation Therapist in collaboration with the Program Director, Chief of Rehabilitation Therapy Services at the Department of State Hospitals – Atascadero (ASH). The incumbent will be responsible for the following duties but not limited to:

• Conduct and prepare written Rehabilitation Therapy Assessments/ evaluations
• Participate in Treatment Plan meetings to review each patient’s progress towards community reintegration
• Provide written documentation on patients’ progress pertaining to their rehabilitation therapy program
• Organize, plan and conduct rehabilitation therapy/leisure skill groups
• Provide and maintain a monthly activity calendar of all supplemental rehabilitation therapy programs offered on the unit board
• Applies and demonstrates knowledge of correct methods in Therapeutic Strategies and Interventions (TSI)
• Assist in the maintenance of a safe and secure environment through response to physical assaults, escape attempts or other major patient disturbance, and assist in the management of the conduct of the patients

In order to be considered for this job vacancy, you MUST satisfy one of the following requirements:
1. BE LIST ELIGIBLE: Successfully complete the competitive State civil service exam pertaining to this classification at:
Rehabilitation Therapist (Art) Exam Bulletin
, OR
2. BE TRANSFER ELIGIBLE: Have current employment with the State of California in the same classification or in a classification that is comparable (employees who wish to be considered based on transfer eligibility MUST meet the minimum qualifications of the classification per DPA Rule 250), OR
3. BE REINSTATEMENT ELIGIBLE: Have obtained previous permanent employment with the State of California in the same classification or in a classification that is comparable.

*Minimum qualifications will be verified prior to being scheduled for an interview. Please provide proof of minimum qualifications with your application submission, which may include a copy of your unofficial college transcripts .

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: All Therapists: Completion of an approved clinical internship in the appropriate rehabilitation specialty in an approved hospital or rehabilitation center affiliated with the college. (Individuals who are registered or certified with the appropriate therapy association but who have not completed a clinical internship because it was not a component of the academic program at the time are required to have completed a minimum of two years' full-time paid experience in a clinical, residential, or community-based setting after receipt of the required degree to be admitted into the exam.)

Art
Possession of a Master's Degree in Art Therapy or in Art with emphasis in Art Therapy, or registration with the American Art Therapy Association, or eligibility for such registration.

Dance
Possession of a Master's Degree in Dance Therapy, or registration with the American Dance Therapy Association, or eligibility for such registration.

Music
Equivalent to graduation from a recognized college with major work in music therapy, or registration with the American Music Therapy Association, or eligibility for such registration.

Recreation
Equivalent to graduation from a recognized college with major work in therapeutic recreation, or in recreation with an emphasis in therapeutic recreation, or certification as a registered recreator with specialization in therapeutic recreation by the California Board of Park and Recreation personnel, or the National Therapeutic Recreation Society, or eligibility for such certification. (Registration as a senior in a recognized institution will admit applicants into the exam, but they must produce evidence of graduation or its equivalent before being considered eligible for appointment.)

*If it is determined that an applicant does not meet the minimum qualifications, the applicant’s name may be removed from the eligibility list.

Click on the link to complete the Department of State Hospitals Recruitment Survey: DSH Recruitment Survey

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) a Drug Screening be passed prior to being hired.
• The position(s) require(s) a Background Investigation be cleared prior to being hired.

Candidates that believe they meet the Minimum Qualifications based on a pattern of education from the classification description (specifications) MUST provide a copy of your unofficial college transcripts, that include date degree conferred, if applicable, along with your application (STD. 678) to be considered for this position. Higher degrees cannot be accepted without evidence of the lower degree that leads to it. Please note: foreign transcripts MUST include a verification for US equivalency through an independent company.

If applicable, you MUST include verification of completion of internship on submitted transcripts or in the form of a signed letter from your internship director or academic advisor AND proof of registration or eligibility for such registration with the appropriate association.

You MUST include two (2) letters of recommendation.

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: 7/6/2025

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

Department of State Hospitals

DSH - Atascadero Postal

Attn: DSH - Atascadero Employment Office

PO Box 7005

Atascadero , CA 93423-7005

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

Department of State Hospitals

DSH - Atascadero Drop Off

DSH - Atascadero Employment Office

10333 El Camino Real

Atascadero , CA 93422

Building 105

08:00 AM - 04:30 PM

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.
• Other -

  Candidates that believe they meet the Minimum Qualifications based on a pattern of education from the classification description (specifications) MUST provide a copy of your unofficial college transcripts, that include date degree conferred, if applicable, along with your application (STD. 678) to be considered for this position. Higher degrees cannot be accepted without evidence of the lower degree that leads to it. Please note: foreign transcripts MUST include a verification for US equivalency through an independent company.

• Other -

  If applicable, you MUST include verification of completion of internship on submitted transcripts or in the form of a signed letter from your internship director or academic advisor AND proof of registration or eligibility for such registration with the appropriate association.

• Other - You  MUST include two (2) letters of recommendation.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Benefits

There are many benefits to joining our team! The State of California has a generous benefits package including:

• Medical Benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid Holidays and leave
• Defined benefit retirement program
• Savings Plus Program (401(k), 457)
• Commute Program
• Employee Wellness Program
• Employee Assistance Program

Additional benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Contact Information

The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Department Website:

Hiring Unit Contact:
DSH-Atascadero Employment Office
(805) 468-3384
ASHEmployment@dsh.ca.gov

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:
Pearl Melena
(805) 468-2007
Pearl.Melena@dsh.ca.gov

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Additional Application Requirements

All interested candidates MUST submit a Standard State Application Form (STD. 678), with original signature, and indicate Rehabilitation Therapist (Safety) - Specialty AND 455-XXX-XXXX-XXX AND JC-473783in the Examination/Job Title Section.

Candidates that believe they meet the Minimum Qualifications based on a pattern of education from the classification description (specifications) MUST provide a copy of your unofficial college transcripts, that include date degree conferred, if applicable, along with your application (STD. 678) to be considered for this position. Higher degrees cannot be accepted without evidence of the lower degree that leads to it. Please note: foreign transcripts MUST include a verification for US equivalency through an independent company. 

If applicable, you MUST include verification of completion of internship on submitted transcripts or in the form of a signed letter from your internship director or academic advisor AND proof of registration or eligibility for such registration with the appropriate association.

You  MUST include two (2) letters of recommendation.

*Applications postmarked on the final filing date will be accepted. Scanned, copied or faxed applications will not be accepted.

*Applications will be screened and only the most competitive will be offered an interview.

*Any limited-term appointments may transition in to a permanent appointment.

Job Tags

Holiday work, Permanent employment, Full time, Internship,

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