Lymphedema Occupational Therapist

Occupational Therapist

The Occupational Therapist primary functions are to assess, reassess, develop, implement and evaluate a plan of care, which are safe effective and provide for patient input, and follow the Occupational Therapy's standard of care. Employees must follow Occupational Therapy referrals ordered by a physician and within the scope of service provided, follow operational guidelines, State licensure Act and National Professional Organization Practice Guidelines. Leadership, delegation, interdisciplinary teams work, information management, performance improvement, customer service and time management are essential basic competencies. Needs general supervision.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Evaluation

Performs initial therapy evaluations and re-evaluations utilizing evaluation techniques appropriate to patient's age, culture, and admitting diagnosis to obtain a comprehensive view of patient's functional skills, and impairments during the first 60 minutes of assessment time.

Makes an accurate assessment of patient's strengths, weaknesses and pain.

Develops a well-defined plan of care and goals which include patient input and awareness of patient's educational and cultural needs.

Is able to select, monitor, and modify appropriate equipment, procedure, and diagnostic testing methods.

Makes accurate clinical impressions when one or more physical impairments or diagnosis exist simultaneously.

Therapeutic goals are consistently measurable, objective, and reflective of the plan, and are modified and updated appropriately and timely.

Has developed skills or is actively pursuing development of skills in specialty areas (aquatics, lymphedema, manual therapy, Mckenzie, neurologic NDT, orthopedic, sports, wound, vestibular, sensory integration, FCE's, etc.) or in areas other than of primary responsibility assignment.

Treatment

Demonstrates the skill, professional judgment and knowledge base to provide effective treatment to patients of different age groups and cultures.

Consistently incorporates knowledge of growth and development issues into assessment of patient's needs.

Provides treatment services appropriate to patient's age group, culture and disability.

Is aware of resources available for different age groups and make appropriate referrals.

Demonstrates competency in all basic Clinical procedures and equipment for all common disorders.

Has developed new skills or is actively pursuing development of new skills in specialty areas, or in areas beyond primary assignment.

Follows ethical practices utilizing guidelines established by the Florida Board of Examiners and the NCH HealthCare System.

Delegate patient care to team members within their scope of practice.

Teaching

Provide formal and informal guidance, support, and teaching to internal and external customers.

Verbally communicates, to pertinent members of a patient's healthcare team, to provide objective information about the patient's deficits or impairments in a professional and timely manner.

When covering for inpatients, post all precautions to educate nursing staff and other staff members to the limitations, needs and precautions.

Documentation

Consistently maintains timely, complete, and accurate written documentation as defined in policies and procedures.

Is able to locate information in the medical record.

Is able to perform a complete chart audit.

Reports/completes all patient care information needed when a team member will be following up with a patient for treatment.

Clinical Management

Takes ownership for the clinical environment

Takes responsibility for keeping a neat, organized, and clean therapeutic environment.

Keeps track of therapy and evaluation materials. Keeps materials organized and in good condition.

Monitors supply and ensures items are re-supplied when necessary.

Orders new material to meet the needs of the patient population of primary responsibility.

Ensure appropriate and needed material and supplies are easily located and available to covering therapist.

Accurately schedules and re-schedules patients, if applicable.

Facility Responsibilities

Takes ownership for all tasks related to scheduling and billing.

Consistently follows policies and procedures for ensuring patient schedules are up to date, correct and patients are informed of scheduling practices.

Communicates patient requested schedule changes to appropriate staff/community.

Turnover in accurate, timely billing information and ensures patients are re-authorized per insurance requirement with adequate documentation of same and completes timely follow up phone calls when patients are no show. Completes FIM's accurately and timely, if applicable.

Certification/Continuing Education

Meets CEU requirements to maintain licensure and specialty certifications.

Attends course or complete self-study to stay current with issues related to primary population served.

Stays current with AIDS education and Medical Errors education, state laws.

Recognizes knowledge deficits and independently researches to meet the need of patients with uncommon presentations.

Education, Experience And Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Occupational Therapy.

No experience required.

Licensed as an Occupational Therapist in the State of Florida.

Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required from the American Red Cross or American Heart Association.

Intermediate computer knowledge: Uses Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Windows.