Occupational Therapist

Overview

As a patient-focused organization, University of Utah Health exists to enhance the health and well-being of people through patient care, research and education. Success in this mission requires a culture of collaboration, excellence, leadership, and respect. University of Utah Health seeks staff that are committed to the values of compassion, collaboration, innovation, responsibility, integrity, quality and trust that are integral to our mission. EO/AA

This position provides occupational therapy to patients where physical injury, birth defects, emotional or functional problems have interfered with their ability to perform occupational tasks appropriate to their age and level of independence.

Corporate Overview: The University of Utah is a Level 1 Trauma Center and is nationally ranked and recognized for our academic research, quality standards and overall patient experience. Our five hospitals and eleven clinics provide excellence in our comprehensive services, medical advancement, and overall patient outcomes.

Responsibilities

Essential Functions

• Evaluates patients' abilities and limitations.
• Establishes treatment goals based on the evaluation and reason for the referral of neuromuscular components of movement and stability, sensation, ADL's, perception, cognition, avocational and prevocational abilities, developmental, dysphagia, manual muscle test, range of motion, body mechanics, and other tests appropriate for the patient and the profession.
• Administers therapy according to the established plan, utilizing appropriate procedures, equipment and techniques within the scope of practice of occupational therapy.
• Educates the patient and caregiver about the goals of the occupational therapy program, methods of accomplishing goals, how to perform the home program and injury prevention.
• Recommends adaptive equipment, completes the equipment justification forms and arranges for the delivery of the equipment.
• Re-evaluates patients, assesses their progress and makes recommendations regarding discharge.
• Evaluates home or work environments and makes physical barrier modification recommendations or ergonomic recommendations.
• Consults and co-treats with therapists from other disciplines.
• Provides documentation of patient care according to established criteria.
• Participates in continuous quality improvement projects.
• Supervises the patient care activities of occupational therapy assistants and rehabilitation aides.
• Participates in services, medical conferences, staff meetings, continuing education courses, team meetings, and other related activities.
• Assists with departmental maintenance and supplies.
• Provides in-services for staff, other departments and the community.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined above.

• Demonstrated human relations and effective communication skills.

• Ability to administer occupational therapy services to patients, provide work direction to aides, assistants, volunteers and occupational therapy students, identify program needs, develop new areas of activity, and respond to emergency situations.

• Ability to respond to emergency situations, develop treatment plans and provide therapy according to individual needs.

• Knowledge of current and latest technology, insurance practices and community resources in order to provide quality treatment.

• Ability to maintain a current knowledge of safety issues needed in the treatment of patients, especially regarding body substance precautions and body mechanics to protect self, patients and personnel working with therapists.

• Ability to participate in rotations of work area, weekends and week-day hours and assigned holidays.

• Ability to abide by the ethical guidelines as outlined by the American Occupational Therapy Association.

• Demonstrated knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served on his or her assigned unit.

• Demonstrated knowledge of the principles of life span growth and development and the ability to assess data regarding the patient's status and provide care as described in the department's policies and procedures manual.

Qualifications

Licenses Required

• Current RQI Healthcare Provider eCredential through the University of Utah Health RQI system. The eCredential is to be obtained within 30 days of hire.

• Current licensure to practice as an Occupational Therapist in the State of Utah.

* Additional license requirements as determined by the hiring department.

Qualifications (Preferred)

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

Employee must be able to meet the following requirements with or without an accommodation.

• This position involves intermediate working conditions in a healthcare setting that may exert up to 50 pounds and may consistently require lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, or otherwise moving patients or objects, such as medical equipment, while providing patient care. Workers in this position may be exposed to infectious diseases and may be required to function around prisoners or behavioral health patients.

Physical Requirements

Carrying, Climbing, Lifting, Listening, Manual Dexterity, Pulling and/or Pushing, Reaching, Sitting, Speaking, Standing, Stooping and Crouching, Walking