Occupational Therapist

Overview

JOB SUMMARY:  

The Staff Occupational Therapist evaluations to patients under the referral of a physician.  Plans and  implements specific treatment programs for individual patients according to the principles and practices of occupational therapy.  Collaborates with an interdisciplinary treatment team.  Provides supervision and direction for the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) and/or the Occupational Therapy Student (OTS) when applicable.

Responsibilities

Provides supervision to clinical intern as the clinical instructor.  Promotes a positive learning environment while maintaining expectations

Always demonstrates respect for patients and other consumers through professional communication and considerations.   Introduces self and purpose to patients and family members.   Employee is open, friendly and helpful.

Assumes personal responsibility for on-going continuing education and professional development.  Meets the CA-BOT and NBCOT requirements and provides proof of attendance to manager after course.

Keeps track and attends required in-services/ orientations, education programs and /or hospital meetings (e.g. disaster training; harassment training; annual competencies; annual re-orientation)  All completed by due date without need for reminders by manager

Provides in-service instruction to peers and/or nursing staff based on identified needs.

Provides supervision to clinical intern as the clinical instructor.  Promotes a positive learning environment while maintaining expectations.

Always demonstrates respect for patients and other consumers through professional communication and considerations.   Introduces self and purpose to patients and family members.  Employee is open, friendly and helpful.

Effectively communicates with peers and supervisors.  

Consistently develops a therapeutic relationship with the patients and maintains a proper perspective between personal and professional affairs.

Communicates as appropriate to physicians, nurse, other ancillary providers and patient/ families to promote efficient and effective patient care and discharge planning.

Always contacts physician when there is a question concerning the prescribed patient order.

When requested, is able to make a positive and professional impression with community contacts; e.g. Health Fair; community presentations; vendor/ suppliers; etc.

Participates on patient care and hospital committees as requested.

Actively participates in peer review / case presentations.

Completes all required paperwork associated with a new OT order: Evaluation; Clarification of Order; Plan of Care; Education form; Progress Note; initial PAI/ FIM (rehab); G-codes.

Completes 100% of PAI/ FIM data by due dates:

     ●  Admission - by 3rd day

     ●  Discharge - by day of discharge

Completes chart review prior to patient evaluation.  Documents all significant findings.  Always interprets and documents any precautions/ contraindications.

Evaluates patients.  Able to complete most evaluations within one and a half hours. 

Evaluations are complete including objectives data, goals, treatment plans, prognosis and  

duration.  G-codes noted as necessary.

Plans patient treatments appropriate to diagnosis, problems and patient's wants, needs and preferences.  Treatment plans includes approaches to achieve all significant goals.

Completes patient treatment programs, creatively utilizing a variety of techniques to achieve goals, maximize patient interest and participation.  Alters treatment program as necessary.

Treatments are consistent with treatment plans and compatible with diagnostic and evaluative findings.

Observes and recognizes patient's response to treatment, abnormal signs and symptoms and responds appropriately.  Always reports changes in patient condition or behavior to appropriate personnel; nursing, supervisor, or physician.

Progresses patient treatment appropriately.  Plans ahead for patient needs prior to discharge, e.g. cooking eval; community outing; home assessment; etc.  These types of assessments are done at least 4 days in advance of discharge.

Obtains and maintains National certification and State licensure.  Presents copy of current certification and/ or licensure to manager without being prompted.

Accurately performs routine evaluation techniques: Manual Muscle Testing, Goniometry

Sensory & Perceptual evaluationADL evaluationFunctional evaluationCoordination (MRMT; Purdue) eval

Assesses patient's response to treatment and adapts program and/or approach as necessary.  Reports any changes in patient's condition or behavior to appropriate personnel: nursing, supervisor, or physician.

Responsible for the completion of all procedures and treatments scheduled during shift; requests assistance of others or re-schedules as necessary.  Always informs patient of re-scheduled treatments.  Makes changes on ALL schedules (patient board; patient)

Able to problem solve by collaborating and collecting all important information and then selecting the best approach to solve the problem.

Provides input and documentation (as required) to the interdisciplinary team regarding the patient's occupational therapy problems, goals and plan.  Completes Interdisciplinary Plan of Care (Acute/ Rehab).

Contributes in the team and/or patient/family conference(s) and problem solves interdisciplinary issues to assure the patient is achieving the best outcome.

Always assesses and is sensitive to the patient's physical, social and emotional needs as part of the overall evaluation and implementation of the therapy program.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, TRAINING

Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy.  Certification by the National Board of Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).Licensed as an Occupational Therapist in the State of California.Trained in BLS-CPR.    Practice in the areas of Hand Therapy, Physical Modalities, and/or Swallowing Assessment - evaluation or intervention requires Advanced Practice certification (APC) by the CA Board of OT.  Occupational Therapist in the process of completing the requisite education and training for APC may offer advance practice service under the supervision of 1) an OTR with APC, 2)a physical therapist (for hand therapy and/or physical agents modalities, or 3) a speech-language pathologist with expertise in dysphagia (for swallowing assessment, evaluation and intervention or 4) a physician or surgeon.

Compensation: 35.12 to 39.94 (USD)