Occupational Therapist I

At Houston Methodist, the Occupational Therapist I (OT) position is responsible for assessing patients and developing the therapy plan of care. This position provides education to patients, patient's family members, and/or caregivers and collaborates with other health care professionals as needed for problem resolution and/or achievement of identified patient specific goals. As a member of the interprofessional care team providing direct patient care, the OT I position has responsibility to deliver exceptional patient care with adherence to safety standards and guidelines to ensure optimal patient safety, customer service, and optimum patient outcomes.

FLSA STATUS
Non-exempt

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Graduate of education program approved by the credentialing body for the required credential(s) indicated below in the Certifications, Licenses and Registrations section

EXPERIENCE

• None

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Required

• OT - Occupational Therapy - State Licensure - Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation_PSV Compact license acceptable according to current Board requirements within 90 days and
• BLS - Basic Life Support or Instructor (AHA) - American Heart Association

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles
• Competent assessment, organizational and problem-solving skills as evidenced by capacity to prioritize multiple tasks and role components
• Exhibits strong interpersonal, teamwork and leadership skills with all levels of the healthcare team and assures delivery of excellent customer service to all patients, visitors, physicians and co-workers
• Ability to function independently and exercise judgment in interactions with physicians, interprofessional care team and patients and their families
• Possesses comprehensive computer knowledge; operates multiple computer systems and standard Rehabilitation equipment
• Demonstrates professional and technical competence in the selection, evaluation, utilization of treatment plans

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Promotes a positive work environment and contributes to a dynamic, team-focused work unit that actively helps one another to achieve optimal department results. Seeks guidance from others and collaborates with all members of the interprofessional care team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent patient care information and data in a comprehensive manner.
• Uses therapeutic communication, which includes active listening and teaching, to establish a relationship with patients, families and interprofessional health care team to collaborate on the plan of care.
• Serves as resource to co-workers and may assist in teaching and providing guidance to students and support staff. Contributes towards improvement of department scores for employee engagement, i.e. peer-to-peer accountability.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Performs complete and comprehensive evaluation of patients to identify patient’s level of function and to determine the treatment plan. Develops the plan of care based on evaluation findings and implements the therapy treatment plan.
• Provides education to patients, patient’s family members, and/or caregivers, based on learning needs. Consistently evaluates the patient’s comprehension and adapts teaching methods accordingly.
• Collaborates and communicates with the healthcare team modifications to patient’s treatment plan, progress, and discharge planning for achievement of identified patient specific goals. Advocates on patient/family’s behalf to identify and resolve clinical and ethical concerns, utilizing appropriate resources.
• Contributes towards improvement of department score for patient satisfaction, through peer-to-peer accountability to service standards.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Assesses patients regularly, monitors progress towards treatment goals, modifies goals, and plan or program as indicated. Recognizes complications/limitations associated with certain procedures and collaborates with peers to address for optimum outcomes.
• Provides input of physical therapy-related activities completed by interprofessional health care team, and if necessary, adjusts the plan to improve quality of outcome and maintain the safety of the patient.
• Identifies opportunities for corrective action and process improvement. Identifies areas of practice improvements with research-based evidence to achieve patient safety outcomes, supported by accurate documentation. Contributes to meeting department and hospital targets for quality and safety.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Maintains accurate and complete documentation of patient education procedures performed in a timely manner in the patient record. Enters accurate charges for services provided as applicable.
• Uses resources efficiently to maximize utilization of time and equipment. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively, minimizing incidental overtime, and prioritize daily tasks, assisting coworkers as needed. Meets labor productivity standards by effectively managing established patient load assignments.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Offers innovative solutions through evidence-based practice/performance improvement projects. Actively participates in department projects and hospital committees.
• Identifies and presents areas for innovation, efficiency and improvement in patient care or unit operations using evidence-based practice literature.
• Seeks opportunities to identify self-development needs and expand learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual development as a Occupational Therapist, taking appropriate action. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management. Completes and updates the My Development Plan on an on-going basis.

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform: No
• Scrubs: Yes
• Business professional: No
• Other (department approved): Yes

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. Disaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* No

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area No
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Graduate of education program approved by the credentialing body for the required credential(s) indicated below in the Certifications, Licenses and Registrations section

EXPERIENCE

• None

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Required

• OT - Occupational Therapy - State Licensure - Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation_PSV Compact license acceptable according to current Board requirements within 90 days and
• BLS - Basic Life Support or Instructor (AHA) - American Heart Association