Occupational Therapist Assistant

Occupational Therapist Assistant

At Cleveland Clinic Health System, we believe in a better future for healthcare. And each of us is responsible for honoring our commitment to excellence, pushing the boundaries and transforming the patient experience, every day. We all have the power to help, heal and change lives — beginning with our own. That's the power of the Cleveland Clinic Health System team, and The Power of Every One.

As an Occupational Therapist Assistant, you will provide therapeutic services for patients of all ages and health backgrounds. Whether they come seeking support for physical, cognitive or mental health struggles, you will assist the Occupational Therapist in ensuring they feel supported, educated, encouraged and empowered to take control of their wellness. As needed, you may be asked to float between Martin North, Martin South and Tradition Hospitals. This role offers an unmatched opportunity to make a difference in the community every day, all while gaining extensive hands-on experience in an exciting healthcare environment.

A caregiver in this position works days between 8:00AM – 4:30PM. Four weekend days per 8-week schedule period, and one major and minor holiday per year will be required. Martin North will be the primary work location, but floating to Martin South and Tradition will be required as needed.

A caregiver who excels in this role will:

• Administer patient centered Occupational Therapy treatment incorporating evidence-based practice and skilled techniques to achieve optimal functional outcomes, under the supervision of a licensed Occupational Therapist.
• Communicate changes in patient status to primary therapist in a timely manner.
• Act as a clinical instructor or participate in the education and evaluation of students.
• Act as a resource for volunteers and observers.
• Participate in staff development and education programs within the department.
• Participate in interdepartmental education of other professional staff.
• Direct and supervise the activities of support personnel while retaining responsibility for patient care.

Minimum qualifications for the ideal future caregiver include:

• Associate's Degree or certificate
• Graduate of an Occupational Therapy Assistant Program accredited by the American Occupational Therapy Association
• Current State licensure as an Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA)
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification through the American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross

Preferred qualifications for the ideal future caregiver include:

• Experience in the clinical area
• One year of acute care experience

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to walk without assistive device and to maintain balance despite sudden load in order to support patient from falling.
• Ability to meet physical demands characterized at the heavy level defined by 1993 Leonard Matheson and Ministry of Labor.
• Ability to lift and reach with arms sufficiently to lift patient's extremity during therapeutic treatment program.
• Sensation of touch and manual dexterity to be able to palpate muscle tension or to monitor patient pulse.
• Visual acuity to observe patient's gross and fine motor movements in order to analyze these movements and to read all patient monitors.
• Ability to speak clearly enough to instruct patients and families.
• Ability to hear at a conversational level to understand patient's description of symptoms and response to treatment.

Personal Protective Equipment:

• Follows standard precautions using personal protective equipment as required.

The policy of Cleveland Clinic Health System and its system hospitals (Cleveland Clinic Health System) is to provide equal opportunity to all of our caregivers and applicants for employment in our drug free environment. All offers of employment are followed by testing for controlled substances.

Cleveland Clinic Health System administers an influenza prevention program. You will be required to comply with this program, which will include obtaining an influenza vaccination on an annual basis or obtaining an approved exemption.

Decisions concerning employment, transfers and promotions are made upon the basis of the best qualified candidate without regard to color, race, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, ancestry, status as a disabled or Vietnam era veteran or any other characteristic protected by law. Information provided on this application may be shared with any Cleveland Clinic Health System facility.

Cleveland Clinic is pleased to be an equal employment opportunity employer.