Home Health Occupational Therapist

Major Responsibilities:

• Evaluates the patient's physical, perceptual, cognitive, social, and vocational abilities and their impact on the patient's activities of daily living. Conducts an occupational therapy evaluation of each patient and establishes a plan of care and treatment. Maintains and updates accurate clinical and patient records according to state and federal guidelines.
• Plans and implements individual treatment to re-train and teach compensatory techniques for residual disability in activities of daily living, adapted homemaking techniques, bathroom transfers, functional application of mobility skills and, when appropriate, training in adapted work methods.
• Discusses caseload issues and changes in case census with management. Communicates problems to physicians and management and clearly states plans, actions and goals so changes are reflected as they occur.
• Communicates with physicians and other team members to confirm and update patient plan of treatment and provides physician with status report on a regular basis.
• Manages assigned caseload, including scheduling and informing site leadership of coverage needs and ability to provide coverage. Manages the patient's medical condition including medications.
• Teaches appropriate treatment procedures and supportive activities to patients and caregivers, and develops plan for obtaining adaptive devices as needed. Recommends adaptive equipment and provides usage training as needed. Acts as a patient advocate to insure optimal outcomes.
• May manage the caseload of Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTA), including evaluating their patients, insuring compliance with the established Care Plan and adhering to all State of Wisconsin regulations regarding OTA supervision.
• May assist with evaluating patients, turning the patient over to the OTA and informing them of the Plan of Care (POC) per State of Wisconsin regulations.
• Provides on-going assessment of patient response to treatments, and teaches and applies interventions as appropriate. Updates and revises plan of care as indicated and provides physician with a status report on a regular basis. Participates in chart audits and continuous quality improvement activities.
• Performs various patient positioning and transporting duties, which require lifting and pushing/pulling, while utilizing proper technique.
• Must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served. Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the department's policies and procedures. Age-specific information is developed further in the departmental job standards.

Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification Required:

• Occupational Therapist license issued by the state of Wisconsin, and
• Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) needs to be obtained within 6 months unless department leader has determined it is not required, and
• A valid drivers license issued by the Division of Motor Vehicles

Education Required:

• Bachelor's Degree in Occupational Therapy.

Experience Required:

• Typically requires 3 years of experience in occupational therapy within an acute hospital, home health care, or other relevant environment.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

• Demonstrated proficiency in clinical skills with the ability to work independently and make sound judgments.
• Good human relations, organization, problem solving, and decision-making skills.
• Basic proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint and Word) or similar products.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Must be able to obtain transportation to attend to the daily schedule of home visits and other business in a timely manner.
• Must be capable of the manual dexterity required to use and operate a variety of medical equipment and supplies, writing implements and office equipment.
• Must have the physical ability to move about in confined spaces, including bending, twisting, kneeling, squatting and occasionally reaching one or both arm overhead.
• Must be able to work safely with people of various sizes and weight with diverse and complex medical conditions and physical limitations.
• Must be able to:
• Lift up to 50 lbs from floor to waist.
• Lift up to 20 lbs from waist to overhead.
• Lift and carry up to 40 lbs. at waist height reasonable distance.
• Must be able to:
• Push/pull with 30 lbs. of force.
• Perform a sliding transfer of 150 lbs. with a second person present.
• Must be able to sit, stand, walk and climb stairs for limited to prolonged periods of time to complete required paperwork, gain entry to patients’ residences, travel from assigned visits and attend a variety of work related activities.
• Must have the physical stamina to attend to patient care requirements over a period of three or more hours without complete rest.
• Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.