Occupational Therapist, LTC - Full Time

Occupational Therapist, LTC

As part of a multidisciplinary team, Occupational Therapists provide the highest level of care and individualized rehabilitation services to patients. Occupational Therapists work to restore patient's function, alleviate pain, and prevent disabilities to improve the quality of life and maximize personal and occupational functionality.

Responsibilities

A day in the life of an Occupational Therapist, LTC at Hackensack Meridian Health includes:

• Completes assessment and evaluation of patient's impairments and deficits. Creates a treatment plan and goals to address these impairments and deficits with consideration of evaluation and assessment, medical status, prior level of function, and discharge environment. The treatment plan and goals are monitored and adjusted based upon patient's needs and progress.
• Instructs, encourages, and assists patients in performing therapeutic activity, therapeutic exercise, and activities of daily living, specific to each patient's needs and goals. Adjusts selected therapeutic activity, therapeutic exercise, and activities of daily living based on patient's response to activity. Uses assistive and supportive devices, such as crutches, canes, and prostheses, as required.
• Models and maintains a safe environment to deliver services and employs correct body mechanics during activities.
• Demonstrates and implements appropriate treatment techniques and skills with residents, based on evidence-based practice. Completes resident treatments as scheduled.
• Gathers all information necessary to properly evaluate the patient's needs as per department policy, including testing and consultations with other health care professionals, as appropriate.
• Develops and implements an individualized goals and treatment program focused on identified resident needs. Focuses on achievement of the established goals. Participates in the ongoing development of the discharge plan.
• Evaluates effects of treatments by observing, noting, and evaluating patient's progress then recommending adjustments and modifications.
• Completes discharge planning by consulting with physicians, nurses, social workers, and other health care workers; contributing to patient care conferences. Discharge planning established at initial evaluation and updated through the course of therapeutic intervention. Discharge summaries are completed in a timely manner, reflecting patients' functional status, long-term goal achievement and appropriate recommendations.
• Recommends and provides education related to utilization of appropriate occupational therapy equipment (i.e.: reachers, splints, etc.).
• Recommends continued therapy services and equipment for home, home exercise program, and discharge plans. Completes family/caregiver training, as appropriate.
• Contributes to discharge meeting providing all pertinent information.
• Educates and teaches patients how to utilize compensatory strategies and adaptive equipment (e.g., reachers, sock aides, leg lifters) in activities of daily living.
• Supervises, communicates, and collaborates with occupational therapy assistants to develop and implement plan of care.
• Documents patient care services by charting in patient and department records. Prepares written documentation such as initial documentation, notes, reassessments and discharge summaries. Progress notes, reassessments, and discharge documentation are completed as per departmental policy and procedure. Documentation includes monitoring the resident's status and progress towards goal achievements. Re-evaluations are completed in a timely manner. Goals and treatment plans are updated as per department policy. Consistently, accurately, and independently prioritizes and completes routine assignments within guidelines and schedules.
• Identifies and reports all real or potential problems regarding the development or admin. of patient care.
• Records, reports, and interprets patient responses to treatment and care to appropriate members of the inter-disciplinary team. Identifies and assesses any changes in patient conditions/needs and reports to Supervisor.
• Demonstrates team approach to problem solving through frequent communication and collaboration on complex issues to provide appropriate care.
• Ensures operation of equipment by using equipment consistent with equipment specifications; completing preventive maintenance requirements; following manufacturer's instructions; troubleshooting malfunctions; and calling for repairs.
• Participates and represents Harborage and Rehabilitation staff on committees, as requested by supervisors.
• Demonstrates appropriate knowledge in assessing the need for DME for patients. Follows through with appropriate professionals to ensure proper fitting and educates patient on proper usage.
• Demonstrates appropriate judgment in ordering and measuring for prosthetic/orthotic device. Assesses the fit and function for the device and the need for adjustments.
• Maintains professional competence and keeps current with Occupational Therapy trends through participation in continuing education, in-service programs, professional staff sessions, reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; and participating in professional societies.
• Complies with federal, state, and local legal and professional requirements by studying existing and new legislation; anticipating future legislation; enforcing adherence to requirements; advising management on needed actions.
• Fosters good relationships and communications with all Team Members, physicians, patients, family/significant others and visitors.
• Assists with new Team Member orientation and provide key experiences to prepare Team Member for independent performance of essential job functions. Problems are reported to designated Supervisor promptly.
• Supervises, educates, and guides therapy students. Complies with all laws and regulations regarding occupational therapy students.
• Complies with federal, state, and local legal and professional requirements by completing and co-signing all necessary documentation, studying existing and new legislation; anticipating future legislation; enforcing adherence to requirements; advising management on needed actions.

Qualifications

Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Completion of an approved Occupational Therapy program
• Current with all Continuing Education (CE) requirements
• Perform clinical care professionally
• Serve as patient advocate and role model to other Team Members
• Deliver patient care with minimal disruptions and obstacles
• Ability to effectively work on a multidisciplinary team

Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Preferred:

• Computer skills, including Microsoft Office
• Long-term care facility experience
• Prior work experience with geriatric and disabled populations.
• Bi-lingual (Spanish)

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• Occupational Therapist License.