Occupational Therapist (OT) - Inpatient

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 appropriate techniques.
• Provides and/or fabricates assistive devices and/or splints to enhance patient's functional independence.
• Monitors and evaluates outcomes and adjusts individualized treatment plan based on patient's response; provides status updates to physicians and other teammates.
• 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, transition planning, and ordering equipment as indicated.
• Communicates and collaborates with appropriate stakeholders to achieve optimum care for the patient.
• Completes all required documentation following department policy and accreditation standards, including patient evaluations, progress notes, team conference reports, and discharge summaries.
• Records patient care and progress for each assigned patient.
• Completes daily statistics, billing, and scheduling; applies insurance guidelines regarding authorization and number of visits.
• Maintains site/department-established productivity standards.
• Understands and adheres to all billing and documentation policies, procedures, and timelines.
• Maintains a clean and orderly work area, including cleaning up after patient treatment and putting away equipment.
• Performs manual techniques, patient positioning, transferring, and transporting duties requiring lifting and pushing/pulling while utilizing proper technique.
• Demonstrates skill in the use of modalities, exercise equipment, and other devices per department orientation checklist.
• Demonstrates knowledge of indications and contraindications of modalities and exercise.
• Promotes patient safety by participating in safety initiatives and following all safety and infection control measures.
• Participates in performance improvement activities to identify and resolve problems affecting patient care outcomes.
• Manages assigned caseload, informs site leadership of coverage needs, and assists with coverage based on department and regional needs.
• Pursues professional growth through continuing education, department in-services, and 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.
• May supervise occupational therapy assistants following state and local compliance requirements, including delegating patients while maintaining responsibility for the patient plan of care.
• May directly supervise occupational therapy extenders (rehab aides/techs) in administering treatments and teaching appropriate techniques.
• May supervise occupational therapy students after completing one year of clinical experience.

Requirements

• Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited school or educational requirements commensurate with the date of graduation.
• Licensed Occupational Therapist in the state of employment.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification (obtained within 90 days unless exempted by department leader).
• Intermediate computer skills.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated organization, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
• Successfully completes all competency assessments/requirements for patient care and site standards.
• Annual educational requirements for hospital-based certifications (e.g., DNV, CARF).
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of patients served.
• Knowledge of principles of growth and development over the life span and ability to assess data reflective of patient status.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to sit, stand, walk, lift, and squat throughout the workday.
• 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.
• Push/pull with 30 lbs. of force.
• Perform a sliding transfer of 150 lbs. with a second person present.
• Repetitive use of hands: simple grasping (5-15 lbs.) for 20% of the workday; pushing/pulling (up to 75-100 lbs.) for 10% of the day.
• Fine manipulation of hands during massage and joint mobilization.
• Functional use of senses for effective communication.
• Exposure to electrical and chemical hazards, blood, and body fluids; ability to wear protective clothing as needed.
• May require travel, exposing the individual to road and weather hazards.
• Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job.

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred but not required:

• Additional certifications, registrations, or licenses.
• Relevant work experience.
• Advanced knowledge, skills, or abilities.