Occupational Therapist- Home Health

Occupational Therapist

The Occupational Therapist is responsible for therapy evaluations, treatment planning, implementation and discharge planning for patients in the home setting in accordance with established ministry policies while maintaining the highest degree of quality patient care. As a member of the multi-disciplinary Hospice team, the therapist assumes responsibility for communication of patient related issues for appropriate team members or other agency staff and participates in the collection and evaluation of data necessary to assess the appropriateness of care at home. The Occupation Therapist also assumes responsibility for those patients being treated by home health aides and may be assigned to orient staff and students.

Position Specific Responsibilities

• Evaluate physical and functional status as well as cognitive, psychological and perceptual function of the patient and caregiver to determine the patient's capabilities to function safely at home, and to assess the home and family/caregiver for safety risks and ability to support and care for the patient at home.
• Develop a therapy plan of care in collaboration with patients/families; communicate the plan of care to the multidisciplinary Hospice team to form a collaborative patient care plan; provide care in accordance with physician orders and the established plan of care; assess the effectiveness of treatment and modify treatment to achieve the patient's goals.
• Provide patient/family education and counseling regarding issues related to treatments and goals, safety risks and/or other issues within scope of practice.
• Teach home exercise programs and compensatory techniques or skills for managing ongoing physical or functional deficits in the home.
• Provide case management of the patient's care plan and provide supervision and ongoing coordination of services and resources as indicated in the patient's care plan.
• Document assessments, interventions, and communications accurately and timely according to established standards.
• Communicate pertinent medical and clinical information to the hospice Interdisciplinary team, including information regarding the patient's care plan, implementation of changes per physician order and assuring adequate medical follow-up.
• Communicate pertinent information to team members, supervisor, agency staff and external sources as appropriate.
• Participate in team reassessments and discharge planning; teaches patient or family discharge therapy program.
• Recommend and facilitate appropriate medical and/or rehabilitation followed up once Home Infusion/Hospice services have been discontinued; may provide bereavement visits to family members.
• Evaluate, recommend and assists in obtaining adaptive equipment; fabricate adaptive equipment as needed.
• Adapt equipment and techniques for use to the home setting assuring optimum function and safety; provide consultation or appropriate referrals regarding resources and barriers in the community.
• Organize and coordinate transfer of patient information when additional complementary therapies are requested and when patient care is provided by another clinical agency.
• Educate ministry staff, hospital staff and community resources regarding therapy services for hospice patients in the home.
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of hospice nursing, MSW, volunteer, chaplain, HHA, and other rehabilitation disciplines in order to make appropriate referrals for those services.
• Instruct and supervise Hospice Aides with regard to programs to be carried out by the Aide including functional skill techniques, exercise and activity programs needed to achieve hospice goals; instructs others in the techniques in order to reach goals.
• Manage assigned caseload and communicate changes in Plan of Care to IDG as appropriate or requested.
• Contribute to overall Hospice team function through effective time management and communication; utilize critical clinical thinking and problem-solving skills to address team issues.

Education and/or Experience

• Required - Bachelor's or Masters Degree Occupational Therapy
• Preferred - Ph.D. in Occupational Therapy (also acceptable in lieu of Bachelor's/Master's)
• CA:Preferred - Coursework/Training Training in Treatment of Adult Hemiplegia and Hand Therapy.
• OR:Required - Coursework/Training Occasionally a position will require specialized Occupational Therapy training to meet a particular department need.
• AK:
• Preferred - 2 years Experience in subspecialty
• CA:
• Required - 1 year Experience in acute care, rehabilitation, or home care.
• Preferred - Home care experience.
• OR:
• Required - Occasionally a position will require specialized Occupational Therapy experience to meet a particular department need.
• WA:
• Required - 1 year At least one (1) year occupational therapy experience with adult physical disabilities required.
• Preferred - 3 years Three (3) years experience providing in-home care or in related rehabilitation setting preferred.

Skills

• Mathematical Skills: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percentage.
• Language Skills: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from leaders, team members, investors, and external parties. Strong written and verbal communications.
• Other Skills and Abilities:
• Ability to understand, read, write, and speak English. Articulates and embraces integrated healthcare at home philosophy.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills; able to effectively communicate complex information to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated skills in occupational therapy assessment and treatment skills required; knowledge of hospice and palliative care practices preferred.
• Knowledge of the Medicare Conditions of Participation and other regulatory guidelines.
• Knowledge and alignment with Providence philosophy and standards of care; able to work in a way that is consistent with/supportive of Ministry's mission, philosophy, goals and objectives.
• Demonstrated competency in maintaining positive, collaborative, and constructive interpersonal relationships; understands and practices the principles of effective teamwork.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively work with families in crisis while maintaining professional boundaries and personal self-care strategies for dealing with stress.
• Proven ability to build effective and professional relationships with a wide variety of people at all levels of the organization, both within and outside of the Providence system.
• Knowledge of and sensitivity to a wide variety of cultural and value systems.
• Able to prioritize work assignments and meet productivity and quality standards; work with minimum supervisory guidance and exercise independent judgment within the scope of practice; is willing to assume additional responsibility and learn new procedures.
• Proficient in using computers and Microsoft Office Suite programs required. Knowledge of Electronic Health Record systems preferred.

Certifications, Licenses, and Registrations

• AK:
• Required upon hire: Alaska Occupational Therapist License (Vendor Managed)
• Required within 30 days of hire: National Provider BLS - American Heart Association (Vendor Managed)
• Required upon request: Driving may be necessary as part of this role. Caregivers are required to comply with all state laws and requirements for driving. Caregivers will be expected to provide proof of driver license and auto insurance upon request. See policy for additional information.
• CA:
• Required upon hire: California Occupational Therapist License (Vendor Managed)
• Required within 30 days of hire: National Provider BLS - American Heart Association (Vendor Managed)
• OR:
• Required upon hire: Oregon Occupational Therapist License (Vendor Managed)
• Required within 30 days of hire: National Provider BLS - American Heart Association (Vendor Managed)
• Required upon hire: In Compliance with the Department of Human Services (DHS), a criminal background check is required for this position.
• WA:
• Required upon hire: Washington Occupational Therapist License (Vendor Managed)
• Required within 30 days of hire: National Provider BLS - American Heart Association (Vendor Managed)

Physical Demands and Work Environment: The demands of this role necessitate a team member to effectively perform essential functions. Adaptations can be made to accommodate team members with disabilities. Regular standing, walking, and manual dexterity are fundamental, along with the ability to lift and move objects up to 50 pounds. Visual acuity requirements include close and distance vision, color and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. In a healthcare setting, exposure to bodily fluids, infectious diseases, and conditions typical to the field is expected. Routine use of standard medical equipment and tools associated with clinical care is essential. This description provides a general overview and may vary by role and department, capturing the nuanced demands and conditions inherent to clinical positions