Occupational Therapist

Summary

Evaluates and treats patients within an acute care hospital setting. Administers diagnostic testing procedures to determine the extent of patient’s impairment and prognosis for improvement. Maintains and evaluates records and prepares electronic reports on patient’s progress.

Essential Functions

• Administers diagnostic testing procedures to determine the extent of patients’ impairment and prognosis for improvement; analyzes testing and other pertinent information to create individual treatment plans.
• Gathers and reviews pertinent data from a variety of sources and develops specific goals and treatment plans; re-evaluates and modifies plans periodically based on findings and progresses level of treatment, as necessary.
• Considers specific patient variables such as overall medical condition, stamina, motivation, etc. in planning treatment programs.
• Prepares electronic documentation as required by the profession and department, such as evaluation results, individualized treatment plans, progress reports and other such reports.
• Communicates with medical and allied health personnel regarding patients’ progress, needs and discharge planning.
• Chooses, fits, and trains patients in the use of appropriate assistive devices, adaptive equipment, or orthotics.
• Documents patient care efficiently, timely and effectively through electronic communication.
• Provides instruction in therapeutic procedures to be continued by the patient, or family/caregiver.
• Counsels and educates patients and families about their conditions and treatment options.
• Conducts, or participates in training medical and other personnel in therapy techniques and objectives.
• Coordinates with other service areas to ensure proper patient care.
• Supervises Occupational Therapy Assistants, aides and therapy students according to departmental policy and professional standards; delegates treatment and treatment modalities to appropriate personnel.
• Engages with colleagues inter/intra departmentally for constant process improvement.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy required. Master’s degree or Doctorate degree in Occupational Therapy preferred.
• Experience: Acute Therapy: One (1) – two (2) years of acute inpatient, or acute rehabilitation experience required. Adult Outpatient Therapy: One (1) year of adult outpatient therapy experience preferred.
• Licenses/Certifications: Current state of Arizona Occupational Therapist license required and Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required. Other certifications maybe required per department.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Knowledge: Knowledge of occupational therapy methods, procedures and regulations.
• Knowledge: Knowledge of diagnostic testing procedures to evaluate impairments and recommend treatment plans.
• Skills: Skill in evaluating diagnostic testing results and determining prognosis.
• Skills: Skill in relating to patients and evaluating what individual improvement plans might be more realistic based on limitations.
• Abilities: Ability to listen and accurately interpret others’ communication or instructions to take appropriate action.
• Abilities: Ability to complete routine reports and correspondence.
• Abilities: Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.