Inpatient Occupational Therapist- Per Diem, Rotating Days

About the role

The Staff Occupational Therapist conducts comprehensive assessments of in and outpatients with physical, cognitive, psychosocial, or functional deficits, planning and implementing individual/group occupational therapy treatments to achieve the highest possible level of independence in daily living skills. They collaborate with other disciplines to arrange for appropriate follow-up care and facilitate a successful return to home and work environments.

Responsibilities

• Conducts occupational therapy evaluation procedures according to professional and departmental guidelines.
• Responds to all consults in assigned area within 24 hours; completes evaluation and documentation within 48 hours of consult (IP).
• Selects evaluation procedures that reflect understanding of the patient’s diagnosis, abilities, and limitations.
• Administers evaluation procedures according to the guidelines of standardized tests (including upper extremity, muscle strength, range of motion, endurance, and activities of daily living); adapts evaluation procedures as indicated to accommodate the specific needs of patients.
• Interprets evaluation results, develops an integrated diagnostic impression, and makes recommendations.
• Performs re-evaluations according to departmental policies, change in patient’s status or response to treatment.
• Educates patient and caregiver regarding evaluation findings and management of care recommendations. Establishes treatment goals and plans that reflect the needs of the patients while meeting departmental, institutional, and third party reimbursement requirements.
• Formulates treatment goals and plans that reflect the patient’s unique psychological and functional deficits.
• Establishes measurable and attainable short and long-term goals in collaboration with patient and/or caregiver. Modifies goals as warranted by changes in patient’s status.
• Arranges for appropriate follow-up.
• Implements comprehensive individual and group treatment.
• Communicates patients care and discharge needs to team members as needed. Arranges for appropriate follow-up.
• Progresses patient treatment programs appropriately and terminates them as warranted by patient’s progress and condition.
• Fabricates issues or recommends appropriate adaptive or orthotic devices according to accepted occupational therapy standards.
• Develops and instructs patient and caregiver 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.
• Notifies supervisor/manager when patients in age groups not regularly served are present, and seeks 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.
• Assigns appropriate patients to Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant and Rehabilitation Aide.
• Sets up and maintains a therapeutic environment.
• Seeks feedback.
• Maintains clinical supplies on assigned floors, requesting replacements in a timely manner.
• Completes area specific documentation (including letters, re-evaluations) 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.
• Completes patient care charges accurately.
• Maintains a high level of productivity.
• Identifies problems and makes adjustments to meet targeted productivity.
• Participates in the peer review process.
• Completes mandatory requirements (including PPD, competencies, and safety/infection control tests, CPR, and license renewal) within given time frame.
• Shows evidence of on-going professional growth and knowledge of regulations and standards.
• Initiates independent learning opportunities, seek out and integrate 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.
• Assumes responsibility and accountability for the care of the patients being treated by the certified occupational therapy assistant.
• Directs and supervises the rehabilitation aide consistent with the State Practice Act in a safe and effective manner.
• Participates in the development and evaluation of occupational therapy programs.
• Identifies assigned rotation/floor needs and communicates with senior therapists and supervisor/manager.
• 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 departmental quality improvement projects in compliance with JCAHO standards.
• Collaborates with colleagues and other professionals to provide high quality 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.
• Assumes a leadership role and takes charge in difficult situations.
• Attends and participates in all mandatory department meetings.
• Arrives prepared and on time.
• Accepts and completes additional assignments as requested by supervisor, including membership in department and hospital task forces and committees.
• Provides at least one evidence-based area in-service annually.
• Provides in-services to other hospital personnel as requested.
• 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.
• Come prepared to supervisory meets.
• Develops and meets annual goals with a high quality of performance.
• Orients medical professional staff and the community to Occupational Therapy and supervises occupational therapy students.
• Participates in pre-affiliation, class related, or other observation experiences.
• Orients medical professional staff and students and the community (e.g. volunteers, high school initiatives).
• Shows leadership and flexibility by taking students despite a new or challenging rotation.
• Takes additional occupational therapy students to help meet the needs of the department/students.
• If not eligible to take own students, assists with occasional supervision of other clinical instructor’s students.
• Provides a well-rounded learning experience for affiliating occupational therapy students.
• Assesses the learning needs of assigned occupational therapy 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.

Requirements

• Work requires a Bachelor’s / Master’s or equivalent in Occupational Therapy from an accredited institution by start date.
• Work requires a current license and certification by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, prior to start.
• NCBOT, AOTA and MAOT membership preferred.
• Work requires a current AHA or American Red Cross BLS for Healthcare Workers prior to start.

Qualifications

• New grads welcome; experienced therapists encouraged to apply.

Skills

• Interpersonal skills necessary to effectively interact with patients, families and various members of the health care team.
• Analytical abilities sufficient to evaluate patients’ condition, capabilities and progress to develop appropriate treatment programs.