Location: Merced, CA

Start Date: 02-16-2026

End Date: 05-18-2026

Contract Type: Travel Contract

Shift Type: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM (4x10 day shift, 1-hour lunch). Day shifts; OT typically works 8-hour day schedules as well and the team is open to 8- or 10-hour options.

Hours per Week: 40

Candidate Pay Rate: $59 per hour

About United Health Care Staffing

At United Health Care Staffing (UHC Staffing), we believe healthcare staffing should be more than just finding a job. We are here to connect amazing professionals with opportunities that make their careers exciting, rewarding, and meaningful. With us, you're not just signing up for a contract you are joining a team that's got your back, answers your calls, and maybe even cracks a joke or two to brighten your day. Think of us as the travel buddy who handles the logistics while you focus on what you do best helping people heal.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Evaluate and treat adult and geriatric patients across inpatient, outpatient, and home health settings, delivering evidence-based occupational therapy care
• Provide specialized hand therapy interventions and support stroke patients using established protocols, including NIH stroke initiatives
• Lead and participate in early mobility programs, including ventilator-associated mobility when appropriate
• Monitor and manage patients with telemetry and ventilator needs in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team
• Document thoroughly and efficiently in Cerner to maintain clear continuity of care
• Educate patients and families to maximize functional independence and safety at home and in the community
• Float between settings (IP / OP / HH) as needed to cover caseloads and support teammates
• Participate in departmental orientation and competency checklists to ensure excellent, standardized care

Qualifications

• Current California Occupational Therapy license (required)
• OTR credential preferred
• BLS (Basic Life Support) certification required
• Minimum 2 years of clinical experience (acute care, outpatient, or home health strongly preferred)
• Experience with Cerner or similar EMR systems
• Comfort managing patients on telemetry and with ventilator support is a strong plus
• Hand therapy experience and stroke (NIH) certification highly desirable
• Ability to float between inpatient, outpatient, and home health settings and work collaboratively

Education

• Degree in Occupational Therapy (Master's or OTD preferred)
• OTR credential and active California OT license required

Knowledge & Skills

• Inpatient acute care workflows and protocols
• Outpatient therapy assessment and treatment planning
• Home health evaluation and discharge planning
• Hand therapy techniques and splinting fundamentals
• Stroke care practices and early mobility strategies
• Cerner charting and electronic documentation best practices
• Telemetry monitoring basics and working with ventilated patients
• Strong interdisciplinary communication and patient education skills

Benefits

• Generous travel support and reimbursement to make your assignment smooth and stress-free
• Comprehensive medical, dental & vision options to keep you healthy on and off the clock
• Licensure assistance and reimbursement so you can focus on patients, not paperwork
• Paid time off to recharge between shifts and explore the beautiful Central Valley
• Continuing education support to keep your skills sharp and your resume glowing
• A collaborative, supportive therapy team that values your input and growth
• Referral bonus opportunities — bring a friend and work together
• Flexible scheduling options to help balance life, work, and weekend getaways

Travel Perks: Explore Merced, CA

This travel assignment puts you in Merced, a friendly Central Valley hub with quick access to incredible natural playgrounds. You're about an hour from Yosemite National Park for hiking, waterfalls, and serious scenery, and roughly two hours from Monterey Bay and San Francisco for coastal escapes, whale watching, and city adventures. The Sierra Nevada range is nearby for skiing and mountain weekends. Locally, enjoy small-town charm, farm-to-table eateries, and plenty of outdoor trails for running, biking, and exploring between shifts.

Hashtags

#OccupationalTherapistJobs #MercedCAJobs #HealthcareJobs #TravelOT #UHCCareers #RehabJobs #CernerJobs #HandTherapy #StrokeCare #HomeHealthJobs