Home Health Occupational Therapist

Job Description: 

Summary:

Provides direct occupational therapy to patients in their residence.  Receives physician order for therapy and develops and implements plan of care.  Provides direct supervision of qualified occupational therapy assistants, (COTA’s), and evaluates effectiveness of services provided by the assistant. Adheres to the Code of Conduct and upholds the philosophy, vision, and core values of the organization and ensures the Christian Mission of EverTrue is realized so that “Older Adults Live Life to the Fullest”.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Assesses patient functional ability and potential; May perform the initial home evaluation in those instances when the doctor only orders occupational therapy services

2. Completes OT evaluation to determine potential benefit from therapy and to establish an effective plan of treatment

3. Develops and implements medically prescribed OT plan of treatment

4. Prepares written plan of treatment for physician’s signature, including clinical findings, goals, and rehab potential; Assures that all OT orders include specific procedures and modalities to be used with a specific emphasis on amount, frequency, and duration of treatment

5. Understands and interprets medical information from patient record and rest of interdisciplinary team

6. Establishes goals and discharge plans

7. Interprets and adapts physician orders for home setting

8. Coordinates treatment plan with interdisciplinary team

9. Instructs and supervises Home Health support staff, such as HHA, who may carry out portion of OT home care

10. Instructs and supervises COTA in provided services and evaluates performance and progress of services at least every 30 days

11. Instructs and supervises patient/caregiver/family member in aspects of OT plan to be carried out in home, independently

12. Accurately and completely documents each visit in a timely manner

13. Communicates with physician and interdisciplinary team all appropriate data and changes in patient condition, complication, and additional needs

14. Orders and/or supervises ordering of specialized durable medical equipment

15. Attends and participates in case conference and agency in-service programs

16. OT will be required to be on call for weekends and holidays on a rotational basis

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job duties and responsibilities.

• Valid state licensure to work as an Occupational Therapist

• Ability to work independently

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office or equivalent programs

• Excellent customer service skills

• Excellent problem resolution skills

• Detail oriented and good organizational skills

• Current CPR certification

Physical Activities and Demands:

The physical activities and demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job duties and responsibilities. 

Strength:  may be required to lift, transfer, physically assist patients to safely move from place to place in and around the patient’s home.  Proper body mechanics are expected to be used to maintain clinician and patient safety throughout treatments.

Stamina: may have to lift clients, and spend much of their time on their feet either standing, walking, climbing stairs, walking on indoor/outdoor surfaces. Strength and stamina are needed to do the job.

Working Environment:

A well-lighted and ventilated working area with temperature control system.  The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.  Minimal exposure to chemicals and hazardous waste.  Minimal exposure to outside weather conditions.  Appropriate ergonomic and personal safety equipment is provided as needed.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position.  Employees may be required to follow other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties as requested, subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws and standards. Certain job functions described herein may be subject to possible modification in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws and standards.

Additional Information:

Contract per visit homehealth occupational therapist