OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

OVERVIEW:

Occupational therapy practitioners focus on “achieving health, wellbeing, and participation in life through engagement in occupation. Plans and conducts individualized occupational therapy programs in a nursing home environment to help patients develop, regain, or maintain their ability to perform daily activities. Teaches patients skills/techniques and how to use adaptive equipment for participating in activities. Studies, evaluates, and records patients' activities and progress.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

ï‚· Facilitates development and rehabilitation of patients with mental, emotional, and physical disabilities by planning and administering medically prescribed occupational therapy

 Meets the patient’s goals and needs and provides quality care by assessing and interpreting evaluations and test results; and determining occupational therapy treatment plans in consultation with physicians or by prescription

ï‚· Helps patient develop or regain physical or mental functioning or adjust to disabilities by implementing programs involving manual arts and crafts, practice in functional, prevocational, vocational, and homemaking skills; fostering activities of daily living, and developing sensorimotor, educational, recreational, and social activities; and directing aides, technicians, and assistants

 Promotes maximum independence by selecting and constructing therapies according to individual’s physical capacity, intelligence level, and interest

ï‚· Prepares patient for return to employment by consulting with employers; determining potential employee difficulties; retraining employees; and helping employers understand necessary physical and job result accommodations

 Evaluates results of occupational therapy by observing, noting, and evaluating patient’s progress; and recommending and implementing adjustments and modifications

ï‚· Completes discharge planning by consulting with physicians, nurses, social workers, and other health care workers; and contributing to patient care conferences

ï‚· Assures continuation of therapeutic plan following discharge by designing and instructing patients, families, and caregivers in home exercise programs; recommending and/or providing assistive equipment; and recommending outpatient or home health follow-up programs

ï‚· Documents patient care services by charting in patient and department records

ï‚· Maintains patient confidence and protects hospital operations by keeping information confidential

ï‚· Maintains safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations

ï‚· Protects patients and employees by adhering to infection-control policies and protocols.

 Ensures operation of equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements, following manufacturer’s instructions, troubleshooting malfunctions, and calling for repairs

ï‚· Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks, and participating in professional societies

ï‚· Develops occupational therapy staff by providing information and developing and conducting in-service training programs

ï‚· Complies with federal, state, and local legal and certification requirements by studying existing and new legislation, anticipating future legislation, enforcing adherence to requirements, and advising management on needed actions

ï‚· Assist in the Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) process

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE:

ï‚· Current state occupational therapist license

ï‚· Minimum of one year of recent work experience as an occupational therapist

ï‚· Graduation from an occupational therapy program accredited jointly by the Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation of the AMA and the AOTA

ï‚· Current BLS for Healthcare Provider CPR or CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer certification

ï‚· Certified Occupational Therapist (OT) by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) or Certified Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR) by the National Board in Certified Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)

ï‚· National Provider Identifier (NPI) and Taxonomy code required at time of hire

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

ï‚· This position supervises Occupational Therapy Assistants

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

ï‚· This job operates in a health care setting. This role requires regular walking to various locations around the care center

ï‚· Incumbent may be exposed to virus, disease and infection from patients and specimens in working environment

ï‚· Incumbent may be required to work extended periods of time at a video display terminal

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

ï‚· The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

ï‚· While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; talk or hear.

ï‚· The employee must occasionally lift or move office products and supplies, up to 50 pounds.