Occupational Therapist

Occupational Therapist

The Occupational Therapist reports to and receives general supervision from the Director of Rehabilitation and is responsible for providing quality occupational therapy services to residents as ordered by the physician in compliance with current applicable federal, state, and local standards, guidelines, and established policies and procedures to prevent avoidable physical and/or mental deterioration and to assist them in obtaining and maintaining their highest practicable level of functioning and psychosocial well-being.

Schedule: PRN, weekdays or as needed, day shifts, 8-hour shifts

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Evaluation:

• Assess each resident's ability to participate in daily activities considering the residents capabilities, the activities and the environments in which these activities occur.
• Participate in completing designated section of the initial and comprehensive assessments of a resident's occupational therapy needs and the individualized care plans within established time frames.
• Ensure billing information regarding occupational therapy services rendered is sent to the Business Office in a timely manner.

Plan Of Care Development:

• Utilize evidence-based research as it applies ethically and appropriately to the occupational therapy process.
• Recommend additional consultations and treatments, as needed.
• Develop, document, and implement occupational therapy intervention based on the evaluation, resident goals, current best evidence, and clinical reasoning with physician approval. Review the intervention plan with the resident.
• Document changes in resident's performance and capacities. Modify intervention plan or discontinue services when resident has achieved identified goals, reached maximum benefit or does not desire to continue services.

Therapeutic Intervention Selection:

• Select therapy activities to fit resident's needs and capabilities. Alter treatment programs as necessary.
• Monitor and evaluate resident's performance in therapy activities and provide encouragement.
• Evaluate Functional Outcomes Select, measure, document and interpret expected and achieved outcomes that are related to the resident's ability to engage in activities of daily living.
• Facilitation Of Discharge Plan Prepare and implement a discontinuation or transition plan based on the resident's needs, goals, performance, and appropriate follow-up resources, including the implementation of restorative nursing programs.

Supervision Of Occupational Therapy Personnel:

• Supervise clinical services provided by Occupational Therapy Assistants, students of occupational therapy programs, and Rehabilitation Aides utilizing standards established by practice settings, government agencies, payers, and AOTA documents.

Complete In-servicing And Training:

• In-service staff members and caregivers as needed, as it relates to the delivery of occupational therapy services.
• Instruct patients, families, caregivers in home programs, basic living skills and the care and use of adaptive equipment.

Perform duties in a safe manner in accordance with established policies and procedures.

• Perform all duties in compliance with established safety and infection control policies and procedures.
• Actively participate in fire, safety and disaster preparedness drills.
• Maintain safe working conditions and practices and follow established safety regulations in the use of modalities, equipment and supplies.

Timely and accurately record occupational therapy services in an informative and descriptive manner.

• Ensure all occupational therapy documentation conveys specific therapy provided and the resident's response or lack of response to the therapy provided.
• Perform all therapy services in accordance with the individualized plan of care.
• Honor the resident's refusal of treatment request. Document and promptly report such requests to the Director of Rehabilitation.
• Record all entries on notes, charts, etc. in an informative and descriptive manner.
• Use only authorized abbreviations established by the facility when recording information.
• Properly document all therapy, responses to therapy, changes in condition, etc. in accordance with established policies and procedures.

Qualifications

• Graduate of an occupational therapy program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) or predecessor organizations.
• Must have successfully completed a period of supervised fieldwork experience required by the recognized educational institution where the applicant met the academic requirements of an educational program for occupational therapists that is accredited by ACOTE or predecessor organizations.
• Must have passed a nationally recognized entry-level examination for occupational therapists;
• Possess a current and unencumbered license, registration, or certification as required by law or regulation;
• Abide by the AOTA Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics (AOTA, 2000);
• Abide by the AOTA Standards for Continuing Competence (AOTA, 1999) by establishing, maintaining, and updating professional performance, knowledge, and skills.
• Must possess a working knowledge of Occupational Therapy practices, including the ability to recall important and commonly used information in source documents, and an understanding of the application of the pertinent principles in this field.
• A foreign educated occupational therapist who is a graduate of a school not approved by an accrediting agency must meet all requirements for state licensure or meet the criteria for a traineeship as a "foreign educated trainee" under the direct supervision of a licensed occupational therapist.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies.
• Must maintain a current license at all times throughout employment.

Physical And Mental Demands

• Must possess adequate vision and hearing to perform essential job duties.
• Must be able to safely lift, transfer, and assist patients as needed, several times per day.
• Must be able to stand for extended periods of time and move freely throughout the facility, both in-doors and out-doors.
• Must be able to carry objects to multiple locations, safely push wheelchairs and patient beds and reach above head level several times per day.
• Must be able to perform tasks requiring mental reasoning, sequencing and discrimination.
• Must be able to perform math calculations.