Occupational Therapist

This position is responsible for providing occupational therapy services to the outpatient populations of Samaritan to include assessment, treatment and care as well as participating in educational instruction with the patients and patients' families. The Occupational Therapist must be competent in the interpretation of a patient's self-report, behavior and understanding of the cognitive, physical, emotional and chronological maturation process. The treatment of patients should be individualized and should reflect an understanding of the developmental needs and range of treatment needs for each patient. This position will provide the unique opportunity to assume the reigns of a robust elbow/wrist/hand program with significant growth over the past year due to good referral support from local providers. There will be mentorship opportunity with the current provider who has over 25 years of experience in developing hand therapy programs.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Obtains thorough patient, medical/social history and current status information.
• Evaluates each patient as directed by the ordering physician and develops patient care plans and administers treatments to patients with physical disabilities resulting from injury, disease, or surgery. Re-evaluates and assesses the patient's status and initiates a change in treatment program as needed.
• Administers therapeutic treatments utilizing physical agents, biomechanical and neurophysiological principles and assistive devices in relieving pain, restoring maximum functions and preventing disability following injury, disease, or surgery.
• After providing direct patient care, documents all pertinent information, utilizing the electronic medical record, and educates patients and others regarding the treatment plan and procedures.
• Completes billing procedures for service provided on a daily basis.
• Understands and uses techniques such as heat, electricity, water, massage, and exercise.
• Reports include evaluations/re-evaluations, progress notes, and discharge summaries.
• Provides direction to all assisting support staff for occupational therapy patient care.
• Efficiently organizes the daily workload. Monitors and controls the time management of self and assisting support staff.
• Monitors the safety and effectiveness of all patient care equipment and the work environment. Immediately reports all deficiencies to Director.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Education:
• • Bachelor's Degree in Occupational Therapy accredited by the American Occupational Therapy Association preferred and approved by the State of Washington Occupational Therapy Examining Committee.
  • Advanced degree or training preferred.
• License:
• • Active, or eligible to obtain, Washington state Occupational Therapist license.
• Experience :
• • One year of outpatient care experience preferred.
  • Hand therapy and splinting experience preferred.
  • Able to evaluate and provide care across the age continuum from school age, young, to middle-aged adults and geriatric patients.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Occasional standing, walking, lifting, reaching, kneeling, bending, crouching, stooping, pushing and pulling.
• Considerable physical activity as requires heavy physical work; heavy lifting, pushing, or pulling involved with objects up to 50 pounds.
• Manual dexterity and mobility.
• Good reading eyesight. Is able to see clearly 20 feet or more, to judge distance and space relationships, and to see peripherally. Visual acuity to observe patient assessment data and use manual/automated documentation tools.
• Keen mental faculties to perform assessment and decision-making skills in the management of patients.
• Ability to communicate using verbal and/or written skills for accurate exchange of information with physicians, nurses, health care professionals, patients and/or family, and the public.

Note: Basic Life Support Healthcare Provider (HCP) level to be completed within 3 months of hire.