Licensed Occupational Therapist

Occupational Therapist

Gardner Heights, a 110-bed skilled nursing community located in Shelton, CT. Gardner Heights has an excellent community reputation and historically strong census. A notable provider of secure dementia care, we also specialize in long-term living and short-term rehabilitation options. At Gardner Heights, we pride ourselves on decades of staff longevity, which translates to excellent resident care outcomes and sets us apart from other providers.

Apple Rehab is a family owned and operated company that treats residents and staff like family too. Our expert team of senior management is located at our home office, right in Avon, CT, ensuring superior care from a local company. Our leadership is not across the country, but rather in your backyard.

What distinguishes Apple Rehab? We think it is our philosophy of Better Life, which operates on the premise that each patient and staff member is a special individual with unique thoughts, ideas and experiences. It is the quality of the relationships between our staff and patients that make Apple Rehab a better place to live and work. Apple Rehab is a best-in-class provider of short-term rehabilitation and skilled nursing services. We seek to attract and retain the best employees; in turn we offer a competitive salary and first-rate benefits including medical, dental, vision, short-term disability, and life insurance as well as paid time off, 401(k) and much more.

Position Summary

Occupational therapists help patients of all ages who have limited abilities establish, develop and/or maintain the ability to complete daily functions and tasks. Through regular therapy sessions, occupational therapists work one-on-one with patients, focusing on their individual needs to help them achieve improved quality of life and a sense of independence. Occupational therapy concentrates on ameliorating the physical, mental, social and emotional sources of patients' disabilities.

Position Responsibilities Occupational Therapists provide care to patients based on the application of scientific occupational therapy principles. Responsibilities of the Occupational Therapist include (but are not limited to):

• Helps patient to develop, recover, or maintain daily living and work skills
• Aids patients in improving their basic motor functions and reasoning abilities
• Assists patients in performing all types of activities, ranging from using a computer to caring for daily needs, such as dressing, cooking and eating
• Incorporates physical exercises to increase patients' strength and dexterity
• Uses computer programs to help patients improve decision-making, abstract reasoning, problem solving, perceptual skills, memory, sequencing and coordination
• Instructs patients with permanent disabilities in the use of adaptive equipment, such as wheelchairs and orthotics
• Designs or makes special equipment needed at home or work
• Develops computer-aided adaptive equipment
• Arranges employment, evaluates work environment, plans work activities, and assesses the patient's progress; collaborates with the patient and employer to modify the work environment, so work can be successfully completed
• Assesses patients' home for hazards, recommends restorative or safety adaptations
• Provides guidance to family members and caregivers in safe and effective methods of caring for individuals
• Evaluates patients' progress and prepares reports that detail progress
• Supervises and directs the duties of occupational therapy assistants
• Requisitions supplies and equipment
• Complete required orientation as directed by facility
• Follow facility and OSHA safety rules and procedures while on assignment
• Follow facility and GHR Unusual Occurrence Protocol
• Respect cultural and religious practices of patients
• Uphold HIPAA regulations

Graduate of an accredited OT program with current OT license, in good standing with the State licensing board

New Grads Welcome To Apply!

Federal-, State- and GHR-required credentials current and on file

Cognitive skills as related to the position

Working Conditions

Occupational Therapists work in a variety of work settings. Evening and weekend work may be required in order to fit patient schedules. The job is physically demanding. Occupational Therapists are required to stand for long periods of time. They spend considerable time stooping, kneeling and crouching. OTs move heavy equipment. They assist with patient transfers and lifts or help them turn, stand or walk. So, to guard against back injury, they must follow proper body mechanics and procedures for lifting/moving patients.

Physical Demands

Ability to lift/move fifty (50) pounds.

Ability to stand for extended periods

Fine motor skills

Visual acuity