Lead Occupational Therapist - Acute, ICU & Rehab

To develop and implement occupational therapy services and direct patient care in coordination with the interdisciplinary team and in compliance with organizational goals and appropriate regulatory agencies. Under the supervision of the Chief of Occupational Therapy, provides occupational therapy care to adolescent, adult and geriatric patients with various diagnoses. Major duties include patient evaluation and treatment planning for effective patient outcomes, problem resolution, patient care documentation, attendance at patient care related meetings, the delegation of duties to support personnel, participation as a member of a team, maintenance of an appropriate level of productivity, participation in performance improvement activities. The Occupational Therapy Department is dedicated to providing comprehensive, evidence-based therapeutic services that promote functional independence, safety, and quality of life for adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients. Services address physical, cognitive, psychosocial, and functional impairments across a broad range of diagnoses and clinical settings, including acute care, ICU, outpatient rehabilitation, hand therapy, lymphedema management, and psychiatry. The department operates within a collaborative interdisciplinary model, working closely with physicians, nursing, case management, and ancillary services to ensure coordinated, patient-centered care. Occupational Therapists are responsible for timely evaluation, development and implementation of individualized treatment plans, reassessment of patient progress, and effective discharge planning to support optimal functional outcomes. Therapists manage all aspects of occupational therapy intervention, including patient and family education, adaptive equipment recommendations, environmental modifications, and communication with the healthcare team. The department emphasizes accurate and timely documentation, productivity standards, regulatory compliance, and participation in patient care conferences and physician rounds to maintain continuity of care. Occupational Therapists are expected to demonstrate flexibility in scheduling, leadership in assigned rounds or clinics, and the ability to manage a full caseload efficiently. The department fosters professional growth through mentorship, competency validation, orientation of new staff, participation in performance improvement initiatives, and engagement in professional organizations such as AOTA and OTAC. The Occupational Therapy Department maintains a strong commitment to clinical excellence, teamwork, regulatory compliance, patient safety, and continuous quality improvement in the delivery of rehabilitative care services. Essential Duties Upon referral of a patient to the Department, the therapist initiates care per policy evaluating and establishing a treatment plan. Employee manages all aspects of occupational therapy intervention. Employee consistently completes all required documentation as per departmental policy. Employee participates in clinic and rounds as patient care responsibilities allow. ? Attends and contributes to patient care conferences, as listed above to provide continuity of care or if unable to attend provides written progress/plans for each patient to the rounds/clinic liaison in a timely manner. ? For all patient serviced by discipline provides education and makes recommendation to other healthcare professionals on the team regarding discharge plans and/or modification to the plan. ? Assumes responsibility as lead in assigned physician rounds/clinics and coordinates all aspects of communication to and from physician and therapist. Employee effectively manages a full patient caseload, which includes all aspects (i.e. patient care, documentation and communication, and assists in meeting departmental efficiency requirements). ? Able to be flexible with last minute scheduling changes and prioritizing. Able to be lead OT, while still maintaining lead caseload. ? Thorough organization of unscheduled non ?productive time (i.e. Patient not available, outpatient cancellation, etc.), able to improve department efficiency (ie. Assists other staff, projects, other documentation), while still maintaining a full caseload. Employee exhibits skills to provide care in a variety of OT practice areas/settings (i.e. Acute, ICU, outpatient, hand, Lymphoma management, and Psychiatry). Employee assumes staffing of unit and patient care delivery as lead OT. After 6 months at USCUH, provides education for and evaluates performance of new staff members competencies or registry via orientation, check off. Demonstrates commitment to the profession as evidenced by membership in the AOTA/OTAC and attends a professional meeting. Employee assumes responsibility for a special project as assigned by Department Director or chief. Performs other duties as assigned. Required Qualifications Req High School or equivalent Req Specialized/technical training Graduate of an accredited Occupational Therapy program approved by the American Occupational Therapy Association. Req Must demonstrate knowledge of current practice in the field of Occupational Therapy. Req Effective verbal and written communication skills, and mature and sound judgment. Preferred Qualifications Pref Experience in acute health care setting. Required Licenses/Certifications Req Occupational Therapist - OT (CA BOT) If no certification upon hire, one must be obtained within 90 days of hire. A Limited Permit status from CBOT is required for no longer than 90 days post-hire. Req Basic Life Support (BLS) Healthcare Provider from American Heart Association Req Fire Life Safety Training (LA City) If no card upon hire, one must be obtained within 30 days of hire and maintained by renewal before expiration date. (Required within LA City only) The hourly rate range for this position is $46.00 - $76.07. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations. #J-18808-Ljbffr University of Southern California