Occupational Therapist

About the Role

The Occupational Therapist organizes and conducts occupational therapy programs for the facility to facilitate rehabilitation, working in both Skilled and Outpatient Departments. They direct patient participation in selected tasks to restore, reinforce, and enhance performance, facilitating the learning of skills and functions essential for adaptation and productivity to diminish or correct pathology.

Responsibilities

• Supervision of Occupational Therapy Assistants, temporary licensees, students, and support personnel in accordance with state licensure requirements and professional standards.
• Responsible for the effective and efficient delivery of rehab services; adherence to an established plan of care, department, and patient(s)' schedule, and timely documentation of services.
• Attends and contributes to patient care, staffing conferences, and other related meetings.
• Makes referrals to other disciplines and agencies to address the comprehensive needs of the patient.
• Consults with other members of the rehabilitation team to select the most appropriate therapeutic regimen consistent with the needs and capabilities of each patient.
• Adapts the program and/or plan of care according to the needs of individual patients.
• Promotes a safe environment and enforces the elimination of fire and safety hazards.
• Orders supplies and equipment as necessary; cleans, maintains, identifies, and reports the need for repair of equipment.
• Prioritizes patient service: ensures patients and families receive the highest quality of service in a caring and compassionate atmosphere that recognizes individuals' needs and rights.
• Screens, examines, and evaluates patients, including history, systems review, and application of appropriate tests and measures.
• Synthesizes information and interprets examination findings to establish a diagnosis, identify impairments, and determine the predicted level of improvement and time required.
• Identifies precautions/contraindications and designs a plan of care.
• Develops appropriate treatment goals and methods in collaboration with the patient and caregivers, implements the occupational therapy treatment plan, and completes all related documentation and record keeping.
• Applies therapeutic techniques in areas such as:
  • Cognitive skills
  • Muscle strength and coordination
  • Endurance
  • Mobility
  • Perceptual abilities
  • Sensory awareness
  • Sitting and standing tolerance
  • Balance
  • Activities of daily living
  • Joint protection
  • Work simplification
  • Orientation
  • Physical agent modalities
• Designs, fabricates, fits, and/or applies adaptive devices, and trains patients in the use of adaptive devices including orthotics and prosthetics.
• Selects appropriate activities suited to the individual's physical and mental capacity, intelligence level, and interest.
• Instructs patients in the skills and techniques required for participation in functional activities and evaluates patient progress, attitudes, and behavior as related to rehabilitative potential.
• Performs routine reexamination as needed/required to modify/progress the plan of treatment.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited Occupational Therapist (OT) therapy program.
• Current Delaware state licensure.
• CPR Certification.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Results-oriented with strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Proficient with therapy documentation (NetHealth).