Occupational Therapist (OT) - Acute

Responsibilities

• Interprets physician referrals and evaluates the patient's physical, perceptual, cognitive, social, and vocational abilities and their impact on the patient's activities of daily living.
• Establishes a plan of care and implements individual treatment based on evaluation results, functional goals, and by utilizing appropriate techniques.
• Provides and/or fabricates assistive devices and/or splints to enhance patient's functional independence.
• Monitors and evaluates outcomes and appropriately adjusts individualized treatment plan based on patient's response; provides status updates to physicians.
• Identifies factors affecting patient's physical and psychosocial comfort and attends to these needs.
• Plans for and completes patient discharge including providing written home programs, patient/family teaching, referral for community services, and ordering equipment.
• Completes all required documentation including patient progress notes, team conference reports, discharge summaries, and records patient care and progress as well as daily statistics, billing, and scheduling.
• Applies insurance guidelines regarding authorization and number of visits.
• Responsible for cleaning up after patient treatment, putting away equipment, and keeping area neat and orderly.
• Performs various manual techniques, patient positioning, transferring and transporting duties, which require lifting and pushing/pulling, while utilizing proper technique.
• Demonstrates skill in use of modalities, exercise equipment, and other devices that are available in area worked per department orientation checklist.
• Demonstrates knowledge of indications and contraindications of modalities and exercise.
• Participates in performance improvement activities designed to identify and resolve problems affecting patient care outcomes and to improve quality of care.
• Manages assigned caseload, informing site leadership of coverage needs and ability to cover; assists with coverage based on department and regional needs.
• Pursues professional educational growth through participation in continuing education courses, department inservices, and reading professional literature.
• Orients new staff to clinical and department policies as requested.
• Participates in the evaluation process of co-workers by providing verbal or written feedback as requested.
• Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served, including principles of growth and development over the life span.

Requirements

• Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) needs to be obtained within 6 months unless department leader has determined it is not required.
• Occupational Therapist license issued by the state of Wisconsin.
• Bachelor's Degree in Occupational Therapy.
• No prior experience required.

Skills

• Intermediate computer skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated organization, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Must be able to sit, stand, walk, lift, and squat throughout the workday.
• Must be able to:
  • Lift up to 50 lbs. from floor to waist.
  • Lift up to 10 lbs. from waist to overhead.
  • Lift and carry up to 40 lbs. at waist height a reasonable distance.
• Must be able to:
  • Push/pull with 30 lbs. of force.
  • Perform a sliding transfer of 150 lbs. with a second person present.
• Position requires repetitive use of hands:
  • Simple grasping - 5-15 lbs. - 20% of the workday.
  • Pushing/pulling - up to 75-100 lbs. - 10% of the day.
  • Fine manipulation of hands during massage and joint mobilization.
• Must have functional use of senses to allow for effective communication.
• Exposed to electrical and chemical hazards as well as blood and body fluids; must have ability to wear protective clothing as needed.
• Position may require travel; may be exposed to road and weather hazards.
• Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job.

Team members will maintain annual educational requirements for hospital-based certifications (e.g., DNV, CARF, or others).