LEAD OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

Job Summary

The Lead Therapist assists in developing, organizing, and supervising the full continuum of services provided by Rehabilitation Services in their designated hospital/site(s). Leadership is provided in the areas of quality improvement, staff recruitment and retention, competency development, and education planning. The Lead assists with budget development, department goal setting, regulatory compliance, and performance management. By fostering teamwork and creative thinking, long and short-term goals are set and aligned with the mission and vision of the organization. The Lead provides direct care to patients by completing evaluations and treatments in accordance with appropriate licensure. In the absence of the department manager, the Lead assume all responsibility for day-to-day department operations. Utilizes time efficiently and effectively. Adheres to scheduling and productivity guidelines. Staff schedules require flexibility as they are dependent on patient care needs, which may include weekend and evening hours as necessary, to meet demand in their primary are or the needs across the system. Promotes and attend community outreach events as necessary.

Essential Job Functions

• Documents on the white boards in the patient rooms to improve and aid in interdisciplinary communication and continuity of care (where applicable by location).
• Understands and upholds the mission, vision and values of the organization. Demonstrates and adhere to the missions, vision, value and Excela Credo in all aspects of position.
• FISCAL MANAGEMENT Assists with the utilization and control of time, materials, and personnel resources in an effective and efficient manner as evidenced by the following:
  • Assists with the development of annual department operating, personnel, and capital budgets.
  • Assists with identification and implementation of revenue enhancement opportunities
  • Assists with identification and implementation of measures that control costs while balancing quality.
  • Maintains current understanding of patient insurance, managed care, and reimbursement issues.
• PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT-Initiates and administers performance management programs:
  • Provides opportunities for the education, training, and skill development of staff including development of an annual department education plan.
  • Identifies staff educational needs via annual survey or questionnaires. Solicits staff input for programming content.
  • Assists manager by providing feedback for individual performance appraisals by established review date.
  • Rewards positive performance and celebrates accomplishments.
  • Assists manager to consistently and fairly administer departmental and organizational policies/procedures
• OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT-Allocates and delegates work to make efficient use of all resources:
  • Establishes staffing patterns according to the department/unit scope of service and budgetary guidelines.
  • Assists with interviewing, recruitment and retention of qualified staff.
  • Establishes clear work objectives and standards to prioritize and focus staff efforts.
  • Monitors safety policies and procedures for the operation of equipment and service delivery practice in compliance with regulatory and organization guidelines.
  • Collaborates with others in the delivery of services and the use of resources.
• REGULATORY STANDARDS Assures compliance with all laws, regulations and licensure standards
  • Assist manager in insuring compliance with all long-term care regulations for rehabilitation services
  • Assures compliance with all JCAHO and Department of Health standards and regulations.
  • Complies and holds staff accountable for compliance with all established guidelines as documented in policy & procedure manual.
  • Monitors quality control and quality management for variance to approved protocol and reports to manager.
• DOCUMENTATION STANDARDS - Produces documentation to support the delivery of rehab services
  • Selects relevant information to document the delivery of patient care.
  • Documents all aspects of therapy care including assessment, plan of care, treatment, response to treatment, family conferences, and communication with others in the delivery of patient care.
  • Produces documentation that follows guidelines and format required by the practice setting.
  • Documents patient care consistent with guidelines and requirements of regulatory agencies & third party
  • Produces documentation that is accurate, concise, timely, and legible.
  • Helps to oversee and participate in updating and maintenance of policy manuals.
  • Coaches, mentors and oversees compliance of documentation standards and adherence in areas of responsibility in conjunction with manager.
• PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT- Implements a self-directed plan for professional development.
  • Demonstrates an awareness of own strengths and limitations.
  • Seeks guidance, as necessary, to address limitations.
  • Modifies behavior based on self-evaluation and constructive feedback.
  • Participates in learning experiences within the practice setting.
  • Develops and conducts in-services as indicated and appropriate.
  • Maintains department records of Continuing Education.
  • Leads competency program development and implementation. Incorporates age specifics in accordance with department/hospital guidelines.
• CLINICAL PERFORMANCE- Performs clinical responsibilities in a manner that maximizes patient care and outcomes.
  • Utilizes time efficiently.
  • Adheres to scheduling and productivity guidelines for personal and staff management.
  • Assists with development of policies and procedures when appropriate to improve processes & patient care.
  • Leads departmental performance improvement plan and interventions. Prepares reports and presents findings to staff, administration, and quality committees.
  • Participates in and reviews staff documentation and standard work, documents corrective action as needed and communicates with manager.
  • Staff schedules require flexibility as they are dependent on patient care needs, which may include evening and weekend hours, as necessary to meet demand in their primary area or the needs across the System.
  • Travel to other entities or sites within the System as patient census dictates, in order to provide quality necessary care where patient need is greatest.
• CODING COMPLIANCE AND STATISTICAL MEASUREMENT-Captures maximum revenue for quality services provided, while maintaining established standards of care and assuring accurate maintenance of statistics.
  • Charges patient using appropriate charge codes.
  • Positively contributes to the achievement of established productivity standards.
  • Coaches/mentors and oversee compliance with charging.
• INTERDISCIPLINARY TEAM APPROACH- Promotes interdisciplinary team approach, by actively participating in team meetings and/or discussions to promote quality patient care.
  • Attends interdisciplinary inpatient team meetings.
  • Attends Rehab Leadership meetings quarterly when appropriate.
  • Communicates regularly with peers, supervisors, and other team members via verbal communication and established written/electronic methods.
  • Provides ideas to further team building and development.
  • Participates in management daily call, facilitates daily call as warranted and site/department daily call.
• PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT -Participates and supports the ongoing development of new therapy programs and enhances established programs.
  • Participates in the development of marketing programs.
  • Leads education in implementing new ideas, programs, and research where applicable
  • Adopts and uses LEAN initiatives and LEAN tools to improve departmental processes.
  • Participates in Lean Projects as assigned.
  • Fosters a continuous improvement environment.
  • Recognizes opportunities for LEAN process improvements and works to develop implementation.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited program approved by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
• Three years of experience in a leadership role in a health care setting. Knowledge of State and Federal Health Care Regulatory Agencies as well as the Joint Commission Requirements.
• Strong leadership ability, good organizational skills, independent and critical thinking skills, and sound judgment.
• Strong ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated evidence of active participation in professional organization. Demonstrated evidence of active involvement in departmental or hospital education or PI management.
• Experience preferred in reimbursement for Medicare and other third-party payers.
• 1-3 years’ experience in healthcare setting.
• DOT
• Previous clinical experience/knowledge and/or certification in specialty treatment programs, including Lymphedema

License, Certification & Clearances

• Current PA State Licensure (in Occupational Therapy)
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) approved curriculum of the American Heart Association (CPR and AED) program.
• Act 33 with renewal
• Act 34 with renewal
• Act 73 FBI Clearance

Supervisory Responsibilities

• This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities, but does serve as a coach and mentor for other positions in the department.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• Incumbent will be scheduled based on operational need (rotate shifts, standby, on-call, etc.).
• Travel may be expected locally between Independence Health locations.

AAP/EEO

• Independence Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of Independence Health to prohibit discrimination of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, non-job related disability, veteran status, or genetic information, or any other protected class. Independence Health will conform to the spirit as well as the letter of all applicable laws and regulations.
• Ability to perform the Essential Functions listed on the Physical Conditions and ability to perform the Essential Functions on the Working Condition chart below.

Work Environment

Effective March 2020 or during pandemic: goggles, face shield and mask are required according to CDC guidelines

Physical Demands

When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.