Occupational Therapist I

About the Role

Serves as an Occupational Therapist providing quality therapy for the treatment or prevention of physical disability or disease with special equipment and therapeutic use of activities of daily living. Participates in all aspects of the department including program planning, delivery of patient care, performance improvement, and other duties as needed.

Responsibilities

• Practices the profession of Occupational Therapy as a licensed Occupational Therapist, requiring knowledge and application of concepts, principles, and practice of evaluation, treatment, and prevention of physical disability or disease.
• Responsible for a high degree of professional competence, skill, and judgement in assessment, planning, and carrying out the full range of treatment interventions, patient and family education, and discharge planning for a variety of inpatient and outpatient conditions and situations.
• May be required to carry a wound care caseload, requiring advanced knowledge in evaluation and treatment procedures based on wound etiology and best practices, knowledge of advanced wound care products, and working in conjunction with department WOCNs.
• Develops and coordinates team approach for complex clinical problems. Performs case management as needed by interfacing with the Primary Care team or other referral sources.
• May function as a Clinical Instructor for educational programs, including the training of Occupational Therapy and Occupational Therapy Assistant interns from affiliated university and community college programs.
• Provides in-service programs for PTs, OTs, Wound Care staff, medical staff, nursing staff, other agencies, and the community.
• Maintains NC licensure standards and participates in Continuing Education which may be directed by departmental needs. Shares CE knowledge with fellow clinicians.
• Uses evidence-based knowledge to drive clinical decision making, evaluation, and treatments. Has or is developing a concentration in a specialty area of Occupational Therapy, including but not limited to Certified Hand Therapist.
• Participates in monitoring quality of patient care rendered by the department, quality improvement programs, and health promotion activities pertinent to Occupational Therapy, including CIHA hospital accreditation processes.
• May be required to participate in managing and/or planning activities for the department by assuming responsibility for completion of monthly statistics and forwarding them to the Rehabilitation Department Manager for review.
• Provides consultation to the medical and clinical staff on matters pertaining to occupational therapy and/or patient progress.
• Represents Occupational Therapy regarding general program planning for patient care services with multi-disciplinary care teams or at rounds. Participates in clinical research efforts and specialty clinics as needed.
• Develops and maintains clinical processes and procedures under the direction of the Department Manager in accordance with all applicable accrediting organizations and participates in applicable accreditation inspections.
• Maintains clinical processes and procedures, including accurate documentation of occupational therapy visits that facilitate reimbursement and meet compliance standards.
• Uses safe work practices that include following established policies and procedures for safety and infection control, following universal blood/body fluid precautions, and reporting accidents/incidents promptly.
• Organizes and prioritizes work efficiently to maintain a high level of productivity without sacrificing quality.
• May be required to provide Occupational Therapy evaluation and/or treatment at Tsali Care Center (Skilled Nursing Facility) or CIHA’s satellite clinics (Snowbird Clinic, Cherokee County Clinic).

Requirements

• Graduate from an accredited occupational therapy program or a certificate of graduation from an equivalent program of occupational therapy from an accredited college or university.
• Current North Carolina state Occupational Therapist license or a state that is accepted as a reciprocity.
• Entry level Bachelor’s Degree with 9 years of experience, or
• Entry level Master’s Degree with 3-5 years of experience is preferred, or
• Entry level Doctorate with 3 years of experience is preferred.

Skills

• Professional and clinical knowledge of anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, neuro-anatomy, neuro-psychology, biomechanics, disease entities including causes, course of disease, symptoms and signs, treatment, and prognosis.
• Knowledge of therapeutic programs in occupational therapy and how to devise them.
• Patient evaluation procedures and how to implement comprehensive patient treatment plans.
• Expertise in the development of various therapeutic activities and an understanding of the education processes in order to instruct occupational therapy patients and family members or caregivers.
• How to communicate and work effectively with others under varying conditions and situations.
• Knowledge of regulatory agencies, practices, policies, and procedures and ability to develop, assess, and maintain documentation required by certifying/accrediting agencies.
• Knowledge of Privacy Act regulations and HIPAA regulations governing the confidential safeguarding and dissemination of medical information/records.

Schedule

The incumbent will work an 8-hour shift Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:30 am and 6:00 pm predetermined by the incumbent and the supervisor. Rotation through on-call weekend and holiday schedules as outlined in the OT policies and procedures is required.

Work Environment

• Involves various hospital settings including inpatient ward, recovery center, outpatient clinic, Emergency Department, and Primary Care.
• Occasionally, other care settings may be used for comprehensive care, as needed.
• Involves the use of standard PPE including surgical mask, gloves, gowns, and protective eyewear.

Physical Demands

• The work is considered moderately active and requires the ability to walk, sit, reach, bend, and lift while assisting patients with exercises, transfers, and ambulation.
• Prolonged standing and walking are required as well as the ability to perform manual therapy.
• Fine motor skills are needed for wound care and orthotic production.
• Job duties can be mentally/emotionally stressful at times.
• Must have visual acuity, manual dexterity, and the ability to speak and hear.
• May occasionally move up to 50 pounds.