Occupational Therapist Assistant, Per Diem

Occupational Therapist Assistant

Location: Brockton, MA

Schedule: Per Diem, On-site

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Rehabilitation Therapies Supervisor/Manager, the level 1 Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant assists the Licensed Occupational Therapist with comprehensive treatment of in and out-patients with physical, cognitive, psychosocial, or functional deficits. Implements individual/group occupational therapy treatment to achieve the highest possible level of independence in daily living skills. Collaborate with other disciplines to arrange for appropriate follow-up care. Provides student training according to departmental guidelines and participates in continuous education. Is encouraged to assist in interdisciplinary research.

Job Responsibilities:

• Follows through with established treatment priorities based on the Occupational Therapist's evaluation results and plan of care.
• Implements individual and group occupational therapy services using effective treatment procedures
• Uses creative treatment approaches and explores alternative solutions to individual patient problems.
• Demonstrates clinical problem-solving skills with a variety of patient problems and substantiates actions taken.
• Monitors patient response to treatment and progresses treatment programs appropriately. Informs the occupational therapist of changes in the patient, which may require reassessment.
• Recommends and/or issues appropriate adaptive or orthotic devices according to accepted occupational therapy standards.
• Develops and instructs patients and caregivers in home programs and/or use of recommended equipment; provides verbal and/or written instructions as indicated.
• Establishes and maintains a therapeutic relationship with all patients.
• Demonstrates ability to engage patients in treatment, provides reinforcement and support; sets limits appropriately.
• Communicates patient progress to team members regularly.
• Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age groups of pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric patients regularly served.
• Notifies supervisor when patients in age groups not regularly served are present and will seek assistance from individuals with the knowledge of the specialized needs of such patient age groups.
• Adheres to diagnosis-related precautions. Demonstrates good judgment in handling potentially hazardous situations, seeking assistance as necessary.
• Monitors clinical supplies on assigned floors, requesting replacements in a timely manner.

Supports occupational therapists in assessing the effectiveness of the treatment plan.

• Documents actual intervention and patient response to treatment as well as progress toward goals.
• Identifies need for additional intervention by the occupational therapist and collaborates with therapist for this intervention.
• Discusses patient issues, discharge planning, changes in care plan, and progress toward goals with evaluating occupational therapist.
• Schedules with primary occupational therapist for re-evaluation in timely manner and in compliance with department and third party policies/requirements.
• Complies with department, institutional and accrediting agency policies and /or standards.
• Completes are specific documentation in an accurate, thorough and timely manner according to department standards scoring an average of 95% or greater on each indicator.
• Issues supplies/adaptive equipment in a cost-effective manner. Justifies issuance of equipment, demonstrates actual use by patient, and looks for alternative solutions.
• Completes patient care charges timely and accurately. Charges for all equipment issued.
• Meets area specific productivity standards at least 95% of the time. Identifies problems and makes adjustments to meet targeted productivity.
• Participates in the peer review process. Completes form thoroughly, gives meaningful and constructive feedback, and provides learning experience to peer.
• Completes mandatory requirements (including PPD, competencies, and safety/infection control test, CPR recertification, license renewal) within given time frame.
• Shows evidence of on-going professional growth and knowledge of regulations and standards.

Initiates independent learning opportunities, seeks out and integrates new information in daily practice. Communicates learning needs to supervisor.

• Stays current with advances in occupational therapy treatments and techniques through attendance of professional meetings, continuing education, and reading of current literature.
• Shows knowledge of professional federal and state rules and regulations governing the practice of occupational therapy assistants.
• Directs and supervises the Rehabilitation Aide consistent with State Practice Act in a safe and effective manner.

Participates in the development and evaluation of occupational therapy programs.

• Identifies assigned rotation/floor needs. Contributes to the development and updating of unit files and other pertinent resource material.
• Assists in developing and achieving area goals.
• Collects data required to complete research projects, clinical outcome studies, and/or department quality improvement projects in compliance with Joint Commission standards.
• Contributes to the assessment, planning, and implementation of occupational therapy programs in collaboration with supervisor and peers.

Collaborates with colleagues and other professionals to provide high quality of patient care.

• Serves as clinical resource for other health care professionals on assigned floors.
• Works as part of the rehabilitation therapy team, helping and supporting staff members as needed; listens to and seeks feedback from others; shares knowledge with others in positive manner; expresses opinions clearly.
• Accommodates to change by being adaptable and flexible and maintains professional demeanor during periods of stress.
• Attends and participates in all mandatory department meetings. Arrives prepared and on time.
• Accepts membership in department and hospital task forces and committees as requested by supervisor.
• Provides in-service education of staff for the department and other hospital personnel.
• Prepares for a verbal presentation using peer-reviewed journals and presents this information in a clear, organized, and concise manner.
• Participates responsibly in the supervisory process, follows through on suggestions and recommendations, and utilizes supervision time for own professional growth. Comes prepared to supervisory meets.
• Develops annual goals in consultation with supervisor/manager and meets them with a high quality of performance.

Orients medical professional staff and the community to occupational therapist assistants. Assists with supervision of occupational therapist assistant students.

• Orients medical professional staff and the community (volunteers, high school students) to occupational therapist assistants.

Provides a well-rounded learning experience for affiliating occupational therapist assistant students.

• Assesses the learning needs of assigned occupational therapist assistant students and provides training in patient evaluation and treatment procedures as practiced on assigned units.
• Facilitates development of clinical problem solving skills of the affiliating students by asking probing questions.
• Schedules weekly meetings with assigned students providing growth-promoting feedback and learning experiences.
• Keeps student program coordinator informed of student's performance.
• Cooperates with student program coordinator and academic coordinator to develop and implement corrective actions when indicated.
• Conducts student performance evaluations, discusses evaluation with students, and submits the completed form to the student program coordinator in a timely fashion.
• Utilizes hospital's behavioral standards as the basis for decision making and to support the hospital's mission and goals.
• Follows established hospital infection control and safety procedures.

Job Requirements:

Education:

• Work requires an Associate's Degree in Occupational Therapist Assistant from an accredited institution.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations Required:

• Work requires a current Commonwealth of Massachusetts Occupational Therapist Assistant licensure or eligibility status.
• CPR certification required.

Experience:

1-3 years' experience preferred.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Interpersonal skills necessary to effectively interact with patients, families and various members of the health care team.
• Analytical abilities to implement and progress appropriate treatment programs.
• Excellent English communication skills (oral and written).
• Bilingual or multi-lingual skills (beyond that of English) appropriate to the patient population served is a plus.
• Ability to work independently and effectively manage time and assignments.

Compensation Range:

$26.92- $37.74

This range offers an estimate based on the minimum job qualifications