Occupational Therapist

POSITION PURPOSE

The Occupational Therapist provides occupational therapy treatment and patient care according to hospital, state, professional and federal regulations and guidelines. This position requires effective communication skills for working with patients, families, caregivers, and departmental and interdepartmental contacts; competency in occupational therapy evaluation, assessment, care planning and treatment; and task delegation and supervision of occupational therapist assistants and technicians. The Occupational Therapist creates an environment and culture that enables the hospital to fulfill its mission by providing patient safety and patient-centered treatment.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS
 Evaluates patients and develops a plan of care per regulations and professional standards.
― Reviews medical records for patients referred for occupational therapy.
― Utilizes specialized testing procedures and skills, also incorporating data from patient/family/caregiver interview and medical records.
― Assesses the patient's strength, range of motion, coordination, perception, sensation, cognition, living skills, and rehabilitation potential.
― Correlates data from the evaluation to develop an individualized occupational therapy plan of care.
― Reviews short and long term goals in collaboration with patient, family, and/or caregiver.
 Administers skilled occupational therapy treatment and monitors patient response.
― Modifies occupational therapy treatment and plan of care according to patient ability and response in collaboration with physician, other providers, and patient/family/caregiver.
― Delegates occupational therapy and care to occupational therapist assistants and support personnel according to expertise/experience, while maintaining responsibility for patient treatment and plan at all times.
― Schedules patients for occupational treatments according to availability of equipment and space including coordinating patient's schedule with other services.
― Maintains open and on-going communication with hospital departments to ensure patient, staff, and hospital needs are met.
 Tracks and documents occupational therapy treatment, patient performance, progress, and response to care.
― Conducts tests and measurements in compliance with regulating and licensing bodies and professional standards.
― Reviews outcomes and customer service reports, feedback, and any new developments to target processes for improvement.
― Documents patient assessment, planning, and care on appropriate forms following company and hospital policy and procedures.
― Bills occupational therapy in compliance with company policy and regulation bodies.
 Plans for patient discharge.
― Performs home assessments.
― Provides patient and family instruction.
― Recommends equipment, home programs, and community support resources.
 Assists director with managing productivity plans and measures.
― Monitors and communicates data on patient outcomes, satisfaction, and safety.
― Recognizes how specific department performance impacts the hospital’s overall financial performance.
― Assists in controlling FTE and supply use.
 Maintains competencies and professional requirements.
― Understands and demonstrates standards related to discipline.
― Maintains current licensure and certifications.
― Reviews new or revised policies and procedures.
― Stays abreast of research, products, evidence-based medicine, and new developments in rehabilitation.
― Utilizes hospital and company-wide education resources.
― Meets position requirements and performs essential functions.
― Completes mandatory training and courses required by completion date.
 Educates the community on rehabilitation and new technologies, and participates in screenings.
 Brings ideas for improvement to the supervisor.
 Organizes, plans, and manages time effectively to complete assignments.
 Reports questionable situations, concerns, complaints or harassment immediately.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

License or Certification:
 Must be in possession of current state license or certification on or before the first day of employment.
 CPR certification preferred unless otherwise required by hospital policy.
Minimum Qualifications:
 Successful completion of an accredited Master’s Degree program, or accredited Bachelor’s Degree program plus sufficient experience in the field.
Machines, Equipment Used:
 General office equipment such as computer/laptop, telephone, copy/fax machine, calculator, scanner, etc.
 Microsoft Office software, to include Outlook, Word, and Excel.
Physical Requirements:
 Visual acuity, speech recognition, speech clarity.
 Ability to lift, lower, push, pull, and retrieve objects weighing a minimum of 30 pounds including medical supplies and equipment and the transferring and repositioning of patients. Reasonable assistance may be requested when lifting, pushing, and/or pulling are undertaken which exceeds these minimum requirements.
Skills and Abilities:
 Oral communication, written communication, fluency in English, active listening.
 Information ordering, deductive reasoning, social perceptiveness, time management, critical thinking.
 Ability to coordinate, analyze, observe, make decisions, and meet deadlines in a detail-oriented manner.
 Ability to work independently without continuous supervision.
Environmental Conditions:
 Indoor, temperature controlled, smoke-free environment. Occasional outdoor exposure.
 Exposure or potential exposure to blood and body fluids may be required.
 Handicapped accessible.
 May work under stressful circumstances at times.
Proficiency or Productivity Standards:
 Maintains current licensure and/or certifications, if applicable.
 Has regular, reliable, and predictable attendance and punctuality.
 Adheres to dress code including wearing ID badge.
 Adheres to Standards of Business Conduct.
 May be required to work weekdays and/or weekends, evenings and/or night shifts if needed to meet deadlines.
 May be required to work on religious and/or legal holidays on scheduled days/shifts.
 Will be required to work as necessary during disaster situations, i.e., before, during or after a disaster.
 May be required to stay after workday to assist after a disaster situation until relief arrives.
 May be required to perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.
 This position will support cultural diversity by promoting and maintaining an inclusive work environment and culture that is respectful and accepting of diversity.