Definition
Provides occupational therapy services to patients using specialized skills, including assessment, treatment planning and implementation, and related documentation.
Distinguishing Characteristics
Under general direction, assesses, plans, and implements occupational therapy services. Provides leadership as a subject matter expert in a specialized area; leads program development and quality improvement projects, and participates in the instruction and evaluation of students.
Typical Work
Performs all duties of Occupational Therapist 1; evaluates and treats patients with a variety of physical and mental diagnoses;
Administers treatment, training, and physical agent modalities as determined by evaluation;
Evaluates and administers treatment to improve functional outcomes in activities of daily living, health management, rest and sleep, education, work, play, leisure, and social participation;
Instructs occupational therapy assistants, students, and interns in occupational therapy procedures;
Directs and evaluates OT students. Participates in student programming;
Assists in the orientation of new OT and OT Assistant staff;
Leads defined program development or quality improvement projects for the department/facility;
Develops and presents in-services to staff and students;
Facilitates or co-facilitates specialized mental health occupational therapy;
Performs related duties as required.
Knowledge and Abilities
Knowledge of: skeletal, muscular, and neuroanatomy; mental illness; principles, materials, modalities, and equipment of occupational therapy; various handicrafts; safety precautions; evaluative report writing.
Ability to: plan and modify activities based on strengths and needs of patient; gain cooperation of patients; establish and maintain effective working relationships with physicians and other staff.
Legal Requirement(s)
There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.
Licensed by the state of Washington as an Occupational Therapist to practice occupational therapy.
Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law.
Desirable Qualifications
Graduation from an accredited occupational therapist university and successful completion of the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy examination for an occupational therapist
18 months of professional occupational therapy experience.
Active Washington state license to practice as an occupational therapist.
Equivalent education/experience.
Class Specification History
Revise Class: 3-23-87.
Revise MQ: 7-2-90.
Revise class. Revises title (formerly Occupational Therapist II), class code (formerly 6141), definition, and distinguishing characteristics; adopted May 10, 2007, effective July 1, 2007; general revision revises typical work, adds knowledge and abilities, revises minimum qualifications; effective July 1, 2007.
Class plan maintenance to legal requirements and desirable qualifications; salary adjustment; effective July 1, 2023.
Revised Legal Requirements; effective June 6, 2024, due to adopted legislative action.
Revised distinguishing characteristics, typical work, knowledge and abilities, legal requirements, desirable qualifications; adopted June 23, 2025; effective July 1, 2025.