Occupational Therapist

Pay Range:

Pay Range:$47.69 - $67.19

This position is based in the Rehabilitation Services Department with a primary focus on providing general Occupational Therapy (OT) evaluations and treatments which impact a patient’s functional abilities. The Occupational Therapist performs in a professional manner, respects confidentiality, and demonstrates qualities endorsed by following the Seven Standards for Service Excellence outlined in the SEARHC Human Resources Manual. Services are to be provided in compliance with hospital and Home Health standards, licensure requirements, regulatory and practice standards of Occupational Therapy and the national professional guidelines established by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).

Occupational Therapists are health care professionals responsible and accountable for patient assessment, evaluation, establishing a plan of care and providing therapeutic interventions to assist people of a wide range of ages, diagnoses, abilities, skills and needs to optimize their quality of life and level of independence in activities of daily living. The clinic needs to be able to inform clinical teams regarding decisions that involve OT while taking into consideration consultation provided by other care providers. As patients are seen, recommendations may be made regarding their level of independence and rehabilitation needs which may impact services, care placement and further treatment. The incumbent shall also demonstrate accountability for the contribution to program development, quality improvement, problems solving and productivity enhancement in a flexible interdisciplinary fashion. Documenting and processing interventions appropriately must be followed for continuity of care and reimbursement for services.

The position may require occasional travel off site and out of town to provide services outside of MEMC. This job can involve working in a small space, at a demanding pace with a variety of people and sometimes difficult personalities and situations; good judgment, tact and personal skills are necessary for positive working relationships between patients and co-workers. This job involves potential risks that the therapist must work to avoid to the extent possible. Exposure to infectious organisms is possible; use of precautions and appropriate protective equipment is necessary. Latex may be present in the workplace. The job may require repetitive or heavy lifting, up to 50 pounds with physically demanding movements and positions; practice of good body mechanics and good judgment. Services may be provided in a variety of settings including in-patient, out-patient, off-site locations, community events, home visits and remote locations. There may be occasional travel to remote areas by boat or plane for multiple days, possibly in harsh weather. This position is a covered position under the Indian Child Protection Act (ICPA).

SEARHC is a non-profit health consortium which serves the health interests of the residents of Southeast Alaska. We see our employees as our strongest assets. It is our priority to further their development and our organization by aiding in their professional advancement.

Working at SEARHC is more than a job, it’s a fulfilling career. We offer generous benefits, including retirement, paid time off, paid parental leave, health insurance, dental, and vision benefits, life insurance and long and short-term disability, and more.

Key Essential Functions and Accountabilities of the Job

• Provides assessments, performs evaluations, identifies therapy diagnoses, formulates therapy treatment plans with goals and implements treatment of Occupational Therapy services to patients.  Is responsible as the primary therapy provider to implement, supervise and modify therapy plans of care, based on assessment of patient responses, to optimize the outcomes for each patient.  Reviews clinical records and case histories.  Attends care conferences, regular meetings/rounds and remains in contact with referring providers, nurses, and other rehabilitation professionals to review patient’s status and individual needs within the health care team concept.  Collaborates with other team members to assure appropriate medical equipment is arranged and care plan is established prior to discharge.  Documents patient encounter findings and treatments including diagnoses, treatment plans, recommendations and prognoses in appropriate format according to hospital and Home Health policies.  Provides services in a timely manner after receipt of referral.  Services both in-patient and out-patient populations and settings as assigned.  Directs the work of support staff, students, or interns.  Facilitates a healthcare partnership between providers, the patients, and their families.  Develop, implement, and conduct patient education and therapy programs based on patient and/or family needs.  Provides patients and families with home exercise programs to achieve their rehabilitative potential.  Advises and instructs patients and family members regarding techniques, assistive devices and environmental modifications required to optimize the patient’s independence and quality of life in activities of daily living, work and leisure.  Evaluates durable medical equipment/devices based on needs of patient.  Home programs are clear and concise, and the provider ensures that these instructions are understood by asking for feedback and demonstration of programs by patient or caregivers.  Programs are taught demonstrating sensitivity to cross cultural issues.

• Therapy services may be performed outside of Mt. Edgecumbe Medical Center (MEMC) in conjunction with SEARHC Home Health, Community Health Services programs and the community at large and may take place in locations including: Mt. Edgecumbe High School Student Health Clinic, SEARHC Community Clinics, community senior centers, Pioneer Home, health/job fairs, patients’ home and/or workplace, and other collaborative efforts between Mt. Edgecumbe Medical Center (MEMC) Rehabilitation Services Department and the community.  This may involve participation with project or health promotion teams.  Video conferencing may be used for training, patient encounters and administrative duties with off-site locations.  Home visits may include evaluation of patient’s living arrangements, safety, level of function, use of Durable Medical Equipment, the need for environmental modifications and implementation of therapy plan in the home living environment.  Workplace visits may include evaluation of patient’s techniques, tools and environment and interventions to optimize function of an impaired and/or injured worker in the workplace.  Community based interventions assist the patient to optimize function in public places (i.e., shopping, use of public transport).  Occasional multi-day travel to remote locations/SEARHC communities by boat or small plane and possibly in inclement weather may be required.

• Educates staff on OT issues and educates patient/family with therapeutic exercises, activities, and equipment.  Assist in committee and management duties within and representing the Physical Therapy Department as requested.  Provide therapy consultation, presentations, and in-service to medical staff, consultants and other interdisciplinary health care personnel and patient populations regarding therapy services as assigned.  This may include participation with project or health promotion teams.  To keep current with knowledge of therapy procedures/techniques and improve clinical service, staff will participate as a learner or teacher in clinical education, in-service, etc.  Continuing education funds will be allocated for the benefit of the department.  Adhere to the regulatory and practice standards of Occupational Therapy set by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).  Follows all SEARHC confidentiality and quality assurance standards; participates in SEARHC Service Quality management (SQM) functions, utilizes SQM principles in all aspects of the job.  Demonstrates sensitivity to cross cultural issues.

• Assist senior staff in administrative matters, clinic operations and specialty research areas as appropriate.  Utilize the hospital computer system to obtain patient information as well as keep abreast of hospital directives, and in general participate in the timely and efficient flow of information.  Provide a summary of results, statistics, and metrics as required by management.  Assists in the acquisition and fit of durable medical equipment devices based on needs of patient.  Maintain supply stocks and clinical area at acceptable levels.  Remain current in specific billing procedures/mechanisms (Medicare, Medicaid, and third-party payers) to aid in reimbursement of services and equipment, including plan of care concurrence with referring providers.  Maintain cleanliness of clinical space.

• Perform other duties or activities as assigned.

Education, Certifications, and Licenses Required

• Entry level qualifying Masters’ or Doctorate degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited program OR graduate from an OATA approved program of Occupational Therapy at the Baccalaureate level with 2 years’ proven work and continuing education experience that indicates applicant has mastered the knowledge base that would be taught in a Master’s program.

• Licensed as an Occupational Therapist

• Certification in Occupational Therapy by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)

• Valid Alaska Driver’s License

• Basic Life Support certification - required within 30 days of hire

• Clinical Competency required within 3 months of hire and every three years

• High Risk Competency required within 3 months of hire and every year

Experience Required

• 2 years' clinical experience providing occupational therapy to all ages. 

• Experience serving CVA, pediatric population, auto immune disorders, and people with physical disabilities preferred.

• Experience with outpatient orthopedics and hand therapy including splinting and fabrication of custom orthoses preferred.

Knowledge of

• Physiology of the musculoskeletal, sensory, cognitive, and visual perceptual systems, in order to select and administer a variety of client specific standardized assessments, being able to select the most appropriate test for a specific client and implement treatments accordingly.

• Various techniques for providing sound assessments, evaluations, treatment planning, and treatments for patients presenting various diagnosis with functional deficits among the general population.

• Various regulations and practice standards as they relate to OT including billing mechanisms (Medicaid, Medicare, and third-party payers) that may be available for patient equipment and service.

Skills in

• Assessment and treatment of deficits in performance component skills (musculoskeletal, sensory, cognitive, visual perceptual, emotional).

• Assessment of deficits in occupational function (work, leisure, and activities of daily living) and the ability to design and implement interventions (in collaboration with the patient and family) which optimizes patient’s independence and quality of life valued occupational tasks and roles.

• Assessment of patient’s need for and use of assistive devices (including orthotics/splints), Durable Medical Equipment (including seating and wheelchairs), modified techniques and advise regarding environmental modifications which would assist the patient to optimize their safety, participation, and independence in daily occupations.

• Oral and written communication. Effective daily documentation of written psychosocial reports client progress notes, narrative summaries, as well as in training clinical and non-clinical staff; consulting with upper management, outside agencies, organizations, and subordinates; networking with other providers in the community; and proficient in public speaking.

• Utilizing information technology.  Proficiency with computers including multiple software applications, interface with multiple programs.  Use of technologies such as laptops, tablets, and imaging devices.

Ability to

• Communicate effectively with patients, families, teachers, community members and non-OT service professionals of any level of understanding. Ability to translate complex OT service diagnoses, evaluations, and therapies into simple oral and written language that others can understand.

• Deliver treatment techniques and assist patient mobility while keeping patients and self-safe; allowing the therapist to work effectively with patients and their families for proven therapeutic progress.

• Exercise sound judgment in all aspects of employment such as patient care, workplace safety and employee relations

Required Certifications:

Basic Life Support (BLS) - American Heart Association, Clinical Competency Assessment - SEARHC, Driver License - State of Alaska, High Risk Competency - SEARHC, National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy - National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Occupational Therapist License - State of Alaska - Alaska State Board of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy

If you like wild growth and working with happy, enthusiastic over-achievers, you'll enjoy your career with us!