Home Health Occupational Therapist

An Occupational Therapist will evaluate, plan, and administer occupational therapy modalities/regimens to patients in their place of residence for the purpose of developing and restoring function through rehabilitative occupational therapy as prescribed by a physician/allowed provider and provide supervision of occupational therapist assistants.

• Performs ongoing accurate and comprehensive assessments of each patient.
• Accurately completes OASIS data sets.
• Obtains necessary physician/allowed provider orders and collaborates with the physician/allowed provider as the patient's needs dictate.
• Develops and implements a written plan of care for each patient.
• Guarantees that changes in patients' clinical status are communicated to other healthcare team members, necessary office staff, and physician/allowed provider(s) as per policy.
• Coordinates care planning and delivery with the physician/allowed provider and other healthcare team members and Agency staff to facilitate optimal patient outcomes.
• Educates patients, caregivers, families, and other staff as appropriate, in appropriate therapy modalities.
• Develops appropriate home exercise programs tailored to the patient's clinical status, needs, and age.
• Delivers occupational therapy modalities appropriate to the patient's clinical status and needs and in accordance with the standard of care for patient's age.
• Provides care to patients on caseload.
• Provides clear, concise documentation in medical record as it relates to reimbursement guidelines and Company policy and procedure.
• Provides, modifies, or discontinues therapy modalities based upon an ongoing assessment/reassessment of the patient's clinical status and in accordance with physician/allowed provider orders.
• Appropriately assesses and reassesses pain. Utilizes appropriate pain management modalities that include, but are not limited to occupational therapy modalities. Educates the patient and family regarding pain management.
• Provides occupational therapy modalities in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors.
• Participates in case conferences to discuss multidisciplinary team responsibilities, patient progress, plans for continued care, new problems, etc.
• In coordination with Interdisciplinary Team, performs transfer and discharge planning functions in accordance with policy and applicable laws, regulations, and standards.
• Recommends needed referrals to other disciplines and/or community resources.
• Obtains needed supplies and equipment to provide care. Responsible for developing, planning, organizing, and directing patient care services in accordance with federal and state regulations, accrediting bodies, and recognized standards of care.
• Assesses the patient for the need for durable medical equipment as well as other adaptive equipment needs.
• Supports cultural practices as long as these practices do not harm the patient/family or interfere with the planned course of medical treatment.
• Provides supervision and mentorship to OT assistants and completes supervisory visits as required.
• Identifies risk of injuries or threats to life and health in the patient's environment (e.g. environmental/safety/mobility risks) and implements appropriate interventions to reduce those risks.
• Maintains current knowledge of community resources. Identifies and accesses appropriate external and internal resources to meet patient, caregiver, and/or family needs and to facilitate optimal patient outcomes.

• Understands regulations/standards applicable to home healthcare.
• Knowledge of general occupational therapy modalities and scope of occupational therapy practice within the state of Agency operation.
• Flexible, yet organized, with ability to exercise sound judgment.
• Candidate should be self-directed and can work in the field with minimum supervision.
• Is licensed or otherwise regulated, if applicable as an occupational therapist by the estate in which practicing, unless licensure does not apply;
  • Graduated after successful completion of an occupational therapist education program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. (AOTA), or successor organizations of ACOTE; and
  • Is eligible to take, or has successfully completed the entry level certification examination for occupational therapists developed and administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupation Therapy, Inc. (NBCOT).
• On or before December 31, 2009:
  • Is licensed or otherwise regulated, if applicable, as an occupational therapist by the state in which practicing; or when licensure or other regulation does not apply;
  • Graduated after successful completion of an occupational therapist education program accredited by the accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. (AOTA) or successor organizations of ACOTE; and is eligible to take, or has successfully completed the entry level certification examination for occupational therapists developed and administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc., (NBCOT).
• On or before January 1, 2008:
  • Graduated after successful completion of an occupational therapy program accredited jointly by the Committee on Allied Health education and Accreditation of the American Medical Association and the American Occupational Therapy Association; or is eligible for the National Registration Examination of the American Occupational Therapy Association or the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy.
• On or before December 31, 1977:
  • Had 2 years of appropriate experience as an occupational therapist; and
  • Had achieved a satisfactory grade on an occupational therapist proficiency examination conducted, approved, or sponsored by the U.S. public Health Service.
• If educated outside the United States, must meet both of the following:
  • Graduated after successful completion of an occupational therapist education program accredited as substantially equivalent to occupational therapist entry level education in the United States by one of the following:
  • The accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE).
  • Successor organizations of ACOTE.
  • The World Federation of Occupational Therapists.
  • A credentialing body approved by the American Occupational Therapy Association.
  • Successfully completed the entry level certification examination for occupational therapists developed and administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. (NBCOT).
• On or before December 31, 2009, is licensed or otherwise regulated, if applicable, as on occupational therapist by the state in which practicing.
• Prior home health experience preferred.