Occupational Therapist

Job Description

Job Description

The Occupational Therapist will evaluate patients' functional activity demands and performance abilities to identify and address deficits. Their goal is to enhance the patient’s quality of life and support the maintenance or restoration of independence. Responsibilities include implementing standards of care for occupational therapy services in line with the Service Agreement and adhering to physician orders and the plan of care. The Occupational Therapist will report to and be supervised by the agency’s Director of Nursing or RN supervisor. Must deliver occupational therapy services according to a physician’s written orders.

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Responsibilities

• Provide occupational therapy services to patient according to a physician’s written orders. This may include, but is not limited to the following:

a . Assess and evaluate therapeutic/rehabilitative/functional status.

b. Develop a plan of care and treatment making sure plan of care is consistent

with assessment.

c. Participate in the development of the patient’s total plan of treatment.

d. Identify, develop or adapt work and/or daily activities that enhance the patient’s quality of life.

e . Assess the environment especially as it relates to fall risk and interventions and safety.

f. Develop or fabricate adaptive equipment to improve patient function and independence.

g . Instruct patient and family or caregivers in the use and care of adaptive appliances.

• Report patient’s response to treatment or changes in condition to the Director of Nursing and physician.
• As appropriate, coordinate interventions with other health care providers and live settings such as child care center, preschool, school, worksite, adult day care or residential setting.
• Instruct other personnel and/or family members and caregivers on the intervention goals.
• Participate in patient case conferences. 6. Assist in identifying patient and family/caregiver needs for other services and reports these needs to the Director of Nursing.
• Prepare and submit clinical and progress summaries based on identified and attained goals. A copy of these documents will be submitted to the Director of Nursing at least weekly.
• Participate in discharge planning, as appropriate. 9. Provide in-service education for agency personnel, as needed.
• Supervise occupational therapy assistant(s), if needed, in accordance with organization policy and state regulations.
• Assure compliance with all local, state and federal laws and regulations.

Required Skills

EDUCATION

• Graduated from an occupational therapy program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) or predecessor organizations.
• Successfully completed a period of supervised fieldwork experience required by the recognized educational institution where the applicant met the academic requirement of the educational program for occupational therapists that is accredited by ACOTE or predecessor organizations.
• Passed a nationally recognized examination for occupational therapists.
• Licensed, certified, or registered to practice as an occupational therapist as required by state law in which practice occurs.
• Compliant with continuing education, if required by state as a condition to maintain licensure, certification and/or registration.

SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Abide by the Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics (AOTA, 2005a).
• Knowledgeable about and will deliver occupational therapy services in accordance with AOTA standards, policies, and guidelines and state, federal, and other regulatory and payer requirements relevant to practice and service delivery.
• Two (2) years of appropriate experience as an occupational therapist.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Strong knowledge of occupational therapy principles, theory, methods and evidence based practice.
• Excellent customer service skills and ability to deal tactfully with patients, and staff.
• Treat patients, families and staff with courtesy and respect.
• Adhere to HIPAA and maintain patient confidentiality.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Contact with patient under a wide variety of circumstances as well as interactions with other caregivers, nurses and doctors. Care provided in the patient’s facility environment with varying situations. May be required to respond to emergency situations. Position includes tasks that have the potential for exposure to blood and other potentially infectious material (OPIM) such as body fluids/tissues.
• PPE: May include gloved, mask, eye/face protection, and disposable outer covering or lab coat.
• Must be able to stand, walk, squat, bend, kneel, crouch, lift, reach, twist, push and pull. Varied assistance is required depending on the ability of the patient. Ability to work for extended periods of time while standing and being involved in physical activity. Must be able to lift at least 50 pounds. Visual and hearing acuity required