Occupational Therapist

Description

SUMMARY: Within the framework of the objectives and policies established, provides patient services by evaluation, treatment, reassessment and related documentation and communication. Functions also include support staff training and supervision, and in-services and training for facility staff in restorative techniques.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Evaluate patient condition regarding physical and psychological assessments and developing or following a treatment plan.
• Record clinical documentation according to accepted regulatory and professional guidelines.
• Accurately and promptly implements physician’s orders.
• Treat patients according to treatment plan approved by attending physician or non-physician practitioner.
• Maintain acceptable standards of patient treatment.
• Must be able to relate to and work with ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and at times, hostile people within the facility.
• Functional training in self care and home management.
• Functional training in community and work integration.
• Assessing home and work environments of patients and deciding what adjustments/accommodations are needed.
• Identify patient needs specifically related to age or developmental stage and address those needs in the patient plan of care.
• Ensures operation of equipment by performing preventive maintenance checks, following manufacturer’s instructions, troubleshooting malfunctions and reporting any problems to appropriate personnel.
• Order and maintain equipment and supplies.
• Secure necessary durable medical equipment and adaptive equipment for patients to facilitate independence.
• Participate in in-service training as required.
• Provide education to staff, patient and family members promoting improvements in health care delivery.
• Works with and participates as an active member of the hospital and departmental team to support special projects and activities.
• Participate actively in quality improvement programs.
• Maintains a professional approach with confidential hospital and patient information and ensures safe patient environment.
• Supports and enforces infection control policies and procedures.
• Observes and supports hospital policy.
• Keep work area clean and orderly.
• Maintain certifications and continuing education requirements needed to perform job.
• Miscellaneous duties as assigned requested or required.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Knowledgeable about state and federal regulations of occupational therapy.
• Evaluate patient’s response to treatments in a timely and professional manner.
• Instruct patient and family in treatment plan and expected outcome.
• Integrate physical medicine with the medical process and goals.
• Interpret medical tests and establish cautions and precautions regarding treatment protocols.
• Customer service abilities including effective listening skills, analyzing information, and focusing on quality.
• Critical thinking skills, decisive judgment and ability to work with minimal supervision in a fast paced environment.
• Initiate, direct and revise policies and procedures that govern rehabilitation services.
• Knowledgeable of treatment practices and occupational therapy programs.
• Maintain discretion and confidentiality in communications.
• Knowledgeable about policies and procedures regarding reporting and release of protected health information (PHI).

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• A Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree from an occupational therapy program accredited jointly by the Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation of the AMA and the AOTA.
• Certified Occupational Therapist (OT) or Certified Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR).
• Current licensure of State Board of Occupational Therapy. 
• 1 – 5 years experience, preferred
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certificate

LANGUAGE/READING SKILLS:

• Communicate in English verbally and in writing. Legible hand writing is required.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

• Basic statistical concepts.

REASONING ABILITY: Responds to unusual or varied situations that are not covered by existing standards, procedures and precedents. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Regularly required to stand, walk, sit, ascend and descend stairs, possess ability to handle, finger or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms. High risk environment for exposure to blood and bodily fluids.

Must be able to lift 25 pounds from the floor to waist and may occasionally be required to lift 50 pounds from the floor to waist level. Specific vision abilities include close vision and the ability to clearly focus vision.