Occupational Therapist - Access/Assistive Technology

Assistive Technology Therapist

With five decades of experience, Shepherd Center provides world-class clinical care, research, and family support for people experiencing the most complex conditions, including spinal cord and brain injuries, multi-trauma, traumatic amputations, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and pain. An elite center ranked by U.S. News as one of the nation's top hospitals for rehabilitation, Shepherd Center is also recognized as both Spinal Cord Injury and Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems. Shepherd is the only rehabilitation facility in the nation with an intensive care unit on-site, allowing us to care for the most complex patients and begin the rehabilitation process sooner. Shepherd Center treats thousands of patients annually with unmatched expertise and unwavering compassion to help them begin again.

Shepherd Center's culture is one of hope, humor, and hard work. You will enjoy career growth, strong relationships with co-workers, strong support from leadership, and fun activities that have kept over 12% of staff members working at Shepherd for more than 20 years.

The Assistive Technology Therapist provides specialized therapy services to help patients improve communication, independence, and access to their environment through assistive technology. This role evaluates patient needs, recommends and implements appropriate technology solutions, and develops individualized treatment plans that evolve with each patient's progress.

The therapist also provides education and training to patients and families to support the safe and effective use of assistive technology. Working collaboratively with interdisciplinary teams, this position stays current on emerging technologies and best practices to ensure patients receive innovative, high-quality care.

Required Minimum Education

• A degree from an accredited program in occupational therapy.

Required Minimum Certifications

• BLS required
• Licensed to practice in the state of Georgia. (For provision of OT Telehealth, clinician must be licensed to practice in the state in which the client is residing)

Required Minimum Skills

• Basic computer skills.
• Must display knowledge of growth, development, and the ability to obtain, interpret and disseminate information in terms of age specific patient needs (adolescent, adult, and geriatric).
• Demonstrates competency in time management, organization, prioritization, and critical thinking by planning and organizing work assignments and prioritizing the specific needs of the patient.
• Takes responsibility for growing professionally and seek opportunities for improving skills.
• Communicates effectively using timely verbal, non-verbal and written communication.
• Willingly adapts to changing work demands and work environment.
• Demonstrates critical thinking skills and makes sound judgments to monitor and respond to patient needs or changes in condition.
• Completes orientation and initial assessment of competency successfully by determined due date.
• Completes mandatory education and annual competency assessment requirements by determined due date.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two (2) years recent clinical experience preferred.

Physical Demands

• Uses body, tools, or special devices to safely, effectively, and efficiently to move, guide, or place patients.
• Involves some latitude for judgement with regard to precision attained and the selection of what adaptive device(s) to utilize.
• Ability to transfer and position patients, consistent with lifting up to 30 lbs.

Working Conditions

• Normal patient care environment.
• Some potential for exposure to blood and body fluids.
• Some potential exposure to infectious viruses.
• May include exposure to community.
• Actively participates in center-wide efforts that affect occupational therapy practices.
• Establishes relationships with other occupational therapists.
• Meets transportation and driving guidelines as needed.
• Performs other duties as required/requested/assigned.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified.