Occupational Therapist

About the Role

The Staff Occupational Therapist evaluates and treats patients, communicates with families, physicians, and other health team members, and maintains documentation of services in medical records. This role also involves conducting in-services and training for facility staff on an ongoing basis.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate patients within twenty-four (24) hours, or 1 business day of physician referral. If unable to complete evaluation in 24 hours, document the cause for delay in the medical record.
• Develop an effective treatment plan and obtain approval for services from the referring physician.
• Treat patients per the physician treatment plan.
• Assist the nursing department with training of Restorative Aides.
• Supervise Occupational Therapy Assistants in direct patient care and patient-related activities, following the state practice act.
• Communicate with supervisor and other health team members regarding patient progress, problems, and plans.
• Participate in Patient Care Conferences, Utilization Review meetings, and Rehabilitation Conferences as needed.
• Participate in in-services training programs for other staff in the facility.
• Record evaluations, daily treatment notes, weekly progress notes, recertification documentation per Occupational Therapy Board State Practice Act and governmental and third-party payer requirements.
• Record treatment changes per policy and procedures.
• Instruct patients' families or nursing staff in maintenance programs and caregiver training in preparation for discharge from therapy services.
• Participate in discharge planning.
• Recommend and facilitate the ordering of necessary durable medical equipment for patients to facilitate independence in mobility (e.g., braces, walkers, canes, elevated toilet seats, grab bars).
• Report any problems with department equipment to ensure it is maintained in good working order.
• Relate positively, effectively, and appropriately with patients/residents, families, staff, and professional colleagues.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Supervises Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA), aides, and students.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy; preference for graduates of Master's or Doctorate Program in Occupational Therapy.
• Proficient in computer skills, including inputting data into programs such as Casamba and Point Click Care.

Skills

• Language Skills: Ability to read technical procedures, comprehend policy and procedure manuals, and effectively present information and respond to questions from managers, coworkers, and families.
• Mathematical Skills: Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Reasoning Ability: Ability to solve practical problems and interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Licensed as an Occupational Therapist in the state.
• Must meet continuing education requirements per state practices.
• Must maintain a license in good standing with the state board at all times.

Physical Demands

• Standing and/or walking very frequently.
• Sitting occasionally.
• Reaching with hands and arms frequently, pushing/pulling very frequently.
• Talking and/or hearing very frequently.
• Tasting and/or smelling very frequently.
• Exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• Climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling occasionally.
• Close, distance, color, peripheral, and depth perception in vision; ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.