Occupational Therapist

Occupational Therapist

Responsible for providing Occupational Therapy (OT) services as directed and approved by referring physician. The Occupational Therapist is responsible for maintaining standards of professional and ethical practices, of both him/herself and all assigned occupational therapy assistance, in the provisions of these services. Occupational therapists will provider services to pediatrics thru geriatrics in the locations of inpatient hospital, outpatient hospital, and school settings.

Requirements

Skills:

• Develop treatments to help patients achieve independence.

Knowledge:

• Knowledge in administration of treatments and maintenance of equipment.

Education:

• Bachelor of Science Degree and/or entry level Master of Science.
• Diploma from AOTA approved and accredited school of Occupational Therapy.
• Successful completion of the state board exam.

Experience:

• Experience as an inpatient therapist and/or hand therapy is preferred.

Authority and Accountability:

• Extensive exposure to confidential information or matters.
• Frequent contact with various persons or groups within and outside of the hospital including employees, department managers, physicians, patients, visitors and outside agency personnel.
• Must be able to work with, communicate with, and manage different types of people.
• Reports changes in treatment, condition, frequency of visits to other patient care providers as appropriate.

Aptitudes:

• Reading (documents or instruments), confidentiality, language, math, verbal communication, written communication, customer contact, and multiple concurrent tasks.
• Must be able to prioritize, utilize critical thinking, and adjust to change.
• Must be able to reason and use logical problem-solving skills.
• Performs duties that require some latitude for independent judgment and initiative in handling situations out of the ordinary.

Physical and Mental Effort:

• Regular requirement to sit, use hands to handle, or feel; reach with hands or arms; talk; and hear.
• Frequent requirement to stoop, crouch, kneel, walk and stand.
• Specific vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to focus.
• Regular requirement to lift 25-50 pounds.
• Exceptional speaking and listening skills are essential.
• Work involves a variety of changing activities; constant interruptions.
• Must be able to work under stress; 50% of working time.
• Exerting in excess of 100 lbs. occasionally and/or excess of 50 lbs. frequently.

Environmental and Working Conditions:

• The noise level in this work environment is usually moderate.
• Works in an office/clinic setting inpatient, outpatient, and school settings.

Accountability:

• Reports to the Rehabilitation Director.

Quality Assurance-Key Responsibilities:

1. Completes occupational evaluations in order to develop a plan of care including; frequency/duration, short term goals, long term goals, home exercise program, patient education, pain management, and discharge planning in compliance with the departmental documentation policy.
2. Accepts responsibility for patient's personal care and environment throughout the treatment.
3. Follows established procedure and observes safety precautions in the application of modalities.
4. Carries out positioning and exercise plan of care.
5. Observes and reports the patient's responses to the Director.
6. Acts as an assistant when other therapist is performing tests, evaluations, and complex treatment procedures.
7. Carries out responsibilities appropriate to the established occupational therapy service.
8. Participates in clerical and reception activities.
9. Complies with procedures for maintenance of supplies and equipment and carries out duties necessary to comply with the related needs as delegated to him/her.
10. Maintains surveillance of environmental conditions within the therapy service.
11. Provides training, education and support to all assistance working in the occupational therapy department.

Public Relations:

• Maintains effective channels of communication for the PT and OT with other therapy staff, physicians, nursing staff, and other hospital staff.
• Takes appropriate action in problem situations to offset adverse effects.
• Projects a professional and positive attitude regarding the hospital.

Other Responsibilities:

• Seeks opportunities for self development and identifies areas of improvement.
• Conducts self in professional manner acting as a role model while practicing and promoting effective guest relations.
• Observes Hospital dress guidelines and wears ID Badge.
• Provides proper notification for absence and tardiness and is punctual for start of scheduled time.
• Participates in emergency procedures, fire drills, evacuation procedures and internal/external disaster plans and procedures in accordance with departmental responsibilities.
• Maintains equipment assigned to department. Reports malfunctions and orders service as necessary. Maintains department cleanliness procedures.
• Complies with hospital policies and procedures.
• Completes projects and assignments on a timely basis.
• Aids in program development and program enhancements as directed by providers and Rehabilitation Director.

Continuous Quality Improvement:

• Participates in the Continuous Quality Improvement Program under the direction of the Director to meet stated goals and objectives of the Continuous Quality Improvement Program by:
• Assists in data collection.
• Brings potential problems to the Director
• Suggests solutions to problems.
• Emphasizes, supports and is committed to CQI practices and processes.
• Takes action to assure CQI within areas of responsibility.