Upcoming Filing Cutoff Dates:

• 8/2/2024
• 8/16/2024
• 9/6/2024
• 9/20/2024
• 10/4/2024
• 10/18/2024
• 11/1/2024
• 11/15/2024
• 12/6/2024
• 12/20/2024

Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) must be received or postmarked by the filing date indicated above. Applications postmarked, personally delivered or received via interoffice mail after the filing date will be processed in the next group.

The information below will help you determine which classification(s) is(are) appropriate for you. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications as stated on this bulletin to compete in this examination.

Open and Open, Non-Promotional Examination(s):

• REHABILITATION THERAPIST, STATE FACILITIES (RECREATION-SAFETY) - Open

For all Classifications, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 6 months:

Exam Code(s):

3318

For REHABILITATION THERAPIST, STATE FACILITIES (RECREATION-SAFETY), once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 6 months:

Exam Code(s):

• EX-03318

Submit an Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) to apply for this examination.

Electronic applications can be submitted through your account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov.

You may apply by mail to:

• Department of State Hospitals
  Selection Services Unit
  1215 O Street, MS 14
  Sacramento, CA 95814
  

Indicate the Examination Code and Classification(s) on your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678).

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

• Department of State Hospitals
  Selection Services Unit
  1215 O Street, MS 14
  Sacramento, CA 95814
  8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Indicate the Examination Code and Classification(s) on your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678). All applicants must provide proof of identification. Accepted forms of identification are: 1) a photo identification card or 2) two forms of signed identification.

If you require assistance or alternative testing arrangements due to a disability, indicate on your application that you need reasonable accommodation. You will be contacted by a representative of the testing department to make the necessary arrangements. If you have not been contacted by the time you receive notification of testing, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

If you are unable to submit your application or complete the test due to a disability, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

All applicants must meet the education and/or experience requirements as stated on this exam bulletin to be accepted to the examination.

Unless otherwise stated in the Minimum Qualifications, qualifying experience may be combined on a proportionate basis if the requirements stated below include more than one pattern and are distinguished as "Either" 1, "or" 2, "or" 3, etc. For example, applicants possessing qualifying experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 1 and additional experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 2 may be accepted to an examination as meeting 100% of the overall experience requirement.

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.)

and

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.)

Drug Testing Requirement

Applicants for positions in these classes are required to pass a drug-screening test. (The drug-screening test will be waived for employees who are currently in a designated "sensitive" class for which drug testing is required under State Personnel Board Rule 213.)

This examination consists of the following component(s):

Components that are due with your application will be scored and will count toward your final examination result. Failure to submit these items may result in disqualification or elimination from the examination.

A final score of 70% must be attained to be placed on the eligible list.

In addition to evaluating the applicant's relative knowledge, skill and ability as demonstrated by quality and breadth of education/experience, emphasis in each test component will be on measuring competitively, relative to job demands, each applicant's:

Knowledge of: (With particular reference to their therapeutic specialty) the principles, procedures, techniques, trends, and literature of rehabilitation services, especially those relating to developmental, mental, or physical disordered offenders; the process of restoration, maintenance, and development of capabilities; principles of mental health education; scope and activities of private and public health and welfare agencies; characteristics of mental, emotional, physical, and developmental disorders; current trends in mental health, public health, and public welfare; Federal and State programs in these fields.

Ability to: Utilize and effectively apply required technical knowledge; establish and maintain the confidence and cooperation of persons contacted in the work; secure accurate clinical data and record such data systematically; compose clear, accurate, and concise reports; interpret statistical data; analyze situations accurately and take effective action; communicate effectively.

A Servicewide Open eligible list for the REHABILITATION THERAPIST, STATE FACILITIES (RECREATION-SAFETY) Classification will be established for:

• State of California

The names of successful competitors will be merged onto the eligible list(s) in order of final score regardless of test date. Eligibility expires 12 months after it is established. Applicants must then retake the examination to reestablish eligibility.

Veterans' Preference will be granted for this examination. Veterans' Preference is an assistance program for veterans, veteran widows and widowers, and spouses of 100% disabled veterans who seek employment with the state. Veterans' Preference is also extended to currently serving military members nearing their retirement or separation date.

You are not eligible for Veteran's Preference if you are:

• A veteran who has been dishonorably discharged or released.
• A veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran who currently has permanent civil service status. (Permanent civil service status is the status of an employee who is lawfully retained in his/her position after completion of the applicable probationary period. This does not include limited term).

Veterans' Preference is codified in Government Code Sections 18973 – 18979.

Veteran status is verified by the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR). Directions to apply for Veterans' Preference are on the Veterans' Preference Application (Std. Form 1093), which is available at www.CalCareers.ca.gov, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Career Credits are not granted for examination(s) administered on an Open basis or a Promotional basis.

Instructions: Rate your knowledge and experience performing specific job-related tasks.

1. Interview, assess, and evaluate patients in areas of cognitive, emotional, physical and social functioning and recommend an individual rehabilitation treatment plan to meet the psychosocial needs of the patient.
2. Develop a Rehabilitation Program that facilitates the individual's recovery through leisure education, recreation, social skills development, leisure counseling, and physical activity designed to help develop or regain patient mental and/or physical functioning.
3. Plan and conduct individual and group therapy sessions and rehabilitative activities/services based on patients' emotional, cognitive, physical and social level of functioning utilizing therapeutic strategies and/or adaptive equipment to support physical and psychosocial growth and development.
4. Use self-motivating counseling and recreational activities to improve functioning and independence as well as to reduce or eliminate the effects of illness or disability and to restore, remediate, or rehabilitate motor skills, social skills, sensory functioning, and acceptable social behavior.
5. Provide direct supervision and interaction with patients during treatment to support safety of patients, staff, and self.
6. Provide individual or group orientation for all new patients regarding rehabilitation groups and leisure activities to ensure inclusive activity opportunities.
7. Facilitate ongoing rehabilitation therapy assessments and formulates rehabilitation treatment objectives to meet the physical and psychosocial needs of the patient.
8. Evaluate patient progress and provide written documentation pertaining to their rehabilitation therapy program in their Medical Record to comply with medical, legal, Title 22, and administrative requirements.
9. Document progress notes in accordance with licensing and documentation system requirements reflecting attendance, behavior and progress of patients in meeting established therapeutic objectives and goals.
10. Participate in clinical meetings as needed with psychiatrists, social workers, psychologists, rehabilitation therapists and nursing staff to review clinical matters related to treatment cases, larger unit treatment issues, and other clinical issues of interest.
11. Participate in treatment planning conferences to review each patient’s progress towards rehabilitation and community reintegration.
12. Assist staff in the counting, distribution, and accounting for all items used in rehabilitation activities to prevent their use as weapons.
13. Oversee and or assist unit staff in planning, organizing, and assisting the carrying out of overall activity programs for patients.
14. Procure and maintain sufficient equipment and supplies for patient rehabilitative activities and programming, including proper storage, scheduling repairs, inventory and accounting of rehabilitation expenditures.
15. Work within an Interdisciplinary Team to develop therapeutic rehabilitation treatment goals and objectives to meet the needs of the patients.
16. Provide orientation and in-service training for hospital staff regarding the theoretical application of various modalities of recreational therapy as necessary.
17. Develop and maintain a monthly activity calendar of all rehabilitative therapy programs offered and posted on the unit to ensure efficient unit operations.
18. Promote and assist in the coordination of events (e.g., birthdays, holiday recognition, special events) by meeting regularly with patient representatives to help plan unit events, leisure activities, and enhance patient quality of life.

Instructions: Rate your knowledge and experience performing specific job-related knowledge and abilities.

1. Knowledge of the principles, techniques, trends, and literature of rehabilitation services, especially those relating to mentally or emotionally disordered and developmentally physically disabled patients to provide effective treatment.
2. Knowledge of the process of restoration, maintenance, and development of capabilities to treat mentally or emotionally disordered and developmentally or physically disabled patients.
3. Knowledge of principles of mental health education related to rehabilitative treatment and services.
4. Knowledge of the characteristics of mentally or emotionally disordered and physically or developmentally disabled patients to provide effective treatment.
5. Ability to collaborate with other professionals involved in patient care to facilitate the successful transition to the community or next level of care.
6. Ability to evaluate ongoing assessments and relay clinically relevant information with clinical and nursing staff.
7. Ability to secure accurate clinical data and record such data systematically to evaluate patient treatment progress.
8. Ability to provide accurate reports and documentation in accordance with professional standards, facility documentation policies and government guidelines.
9. Ability to organize and keep records of relevant materials (e.g., treatment plans, progress notes) and prepare appropriate reports.
10. Ability to interpret and verbally summarize statistics and/or data related to patient treatment clearly and concisely and draw accurate conclusions.
11. Ability to verbally explain and clarify policies, procedures, and other issues for patients with varying levels of understanding and communication needs.
12. Ability to actively support a safe and hazard free workplace through practice of personal safety and vigilance in the identification of unsafe or security hazards.
13. Ability to use professional judgment and discretion with regard to confidential patient records, documents and information.
14. Ability to be empathetic and have an objective understanding of the problems of patients with mental illness, cognitive and physical disabilities.

• Department of State Hospitals
• State of California

Questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

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.

Examination and/or Employment Application (STD 678) forms are available at the California Department of Human Resources, local offices of the Employment Development Department, and through your CalCareer Account (www.CalCareers.ca.gov).

If you meet the requirements stated on this examination bulletin, you may take this examination, which is competitive. Possession of the entrance requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination described in this bulletin will be rated against a predetermined job-related rating, and all applicants who pass will be ranked according to their scores.

Department of State Hospitals reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the service, if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service laws and rules and all applicants will be notified.

General Qualifications: Applicants must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and a state of health consistent with the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class. A medical examination may be required. In open examinations, investigation may be made of employment records and personal history and fingerprinting may be required.

Eligible Lists: Eligible lists established by competitive examination, regardless of date, must be used in the following order: 1) sub-divisional promotional, 2) departmental promotional, 3) multi-departmental promotional, 4) service-wide promotional, 5) departmental open, 6) open. When there are two lists of the same kind, the older must be used first. Eligible lists will expire in one to four years unless otherwise stated on the bulletin.

High School Equivalence: Equivalence to completion of the 12th grade may be demonstrated in any one of the following ways: 1) passing the General Education Development (GED) Test; 2) completion of 12 semester units of college-level work; 3) certification from the State Department of Education, a local school board, or high school authorities that the competitor is considered to have education equivalent to graduation from high school; or 4) for clerical and accounting classes, substitution of business college work in place of high school on a year-for-year basis.

Accepted applicants must provide proof of identification at each in-person test session. Acceptable identification consists of a photo identification card or two forms of signed identification.