Faculty / Staff Resources Student Resources
University of Southern California
University of Southern California
USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
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Education
Education

This is an OTD residency opportunity in the Advanced Clinical Practice track.

Department of Health Services Housing for Health Occupational Therapy Program

About the Program

The DHS HFH program was founded to improve the health and quality of life of persons experiencing homelessness by providing housing and services. HFH uses a housing first, trauma informed, harm reduction, and “whatever it takes” approach to meet clients where they are to provide a full continuum of services, from street outreach to interim housing to permanent housing, with intensive case management, care coordination, benefits advocacy, and clinical services layered across all service settings.

Persons experiencing homelessness and those with homeless histories often have complex comorbid health and behavioral health needs that impact daily functioning and occupational participation. Continued disengagement in self, health, and home management often place people at risk of losing their housing or needing placement in a long-term care facility. The HFH OT program was recently created to address these needs and barriers as part of an interdisciplinary team of medical, mental health, and social services specialists.

About the Residency

As an OT doctoral resident at HFH, you will collaborate with interdisciplinary team members to assess the functional and occupational needs of housed clients with multiple physical and behavioral comorbidities to design care plans that improve client occupational performance, and health and wellbeing to reduce return to homelessness and clinical deterioration. In addition to working on a capstone project, the OT doctoral resident will make recommendations on housing placements, implement supports to maintain and extend tenancy in the community, and provide crisis support around functional and behavioral challenges with a focus on health and home management.

The ideal candidate would be a self-directed, creative, dynamic, and systems-oriented thinker with a passion for equity and working with vulnerable populations. Academic, fieldwork, and/or volunteer experience with community mental health, primary care, and underserved communities a plus. If possible, candidate would be available to complete their final Level II fieldwork with HFH OT Program prior to beginning the residency. Interviews will be with the Housing for Health OTD Residency Faculty Mentor, Stephanie Moon, and Heidi Behforouz.

Financial Support

The opportunity offers a Chan Division financial award of 24 units of tuition support plus a stipend.

Contact Information

Interested students should contact Dr. Deborah Pitts at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).