Occupational Therapy Assistant

Job Responsibilities

• Provides occupational therapy services to patients by assisting in assessment, treatment, program planning and implementation, related documentation, and communication.
• Counsels patients at regular intervals to determine the need for intervention/treatment.
• Assists in the evaluation process in the areas of self-care, homemaking, functional mobility and coordination and other areas as directed.
• Identifies indications for evaluations of residents at appropriate intervals under the direction of the Occupational Therapist.
• Assists in the identification of a target list, short-term goals, long-term goals and treatment plan.
• Conducts individual treatment as assigned by the Occupational Therapist and outlines in treatment plan that includes, but is not limited to, areas of activities of daily living, functional mobility, range of motion, strength, coordination, cognitive/perceptual remediation and functional maintenance.
• Selects and adapts occupational therapy techniques/media as indicated by resident performance and following consultation with the Occupational Therapist.
• Maintains patient’s response to intervention and consults with Occupational Therapist if modification is indicated.
• Establishes and modifies individual patient schedules in conjunction with the Occupational Therapist and other team members.
• Maintains acceptable patient care ratios as determined by the Occupational Therapist.
• Trains residents, family and appropriate staff in the use or application of adaptive devices or other equipment.
• Participates in patient, family and staff education.
• Confers with other team members in coordinating the total rehabilitation program of the patient.
• Maintains safe and clean work area and adheres to community safety standards, as well as complying with all Infection Control, Universal Precautions and OSHA standards for the healthcare professional.
• Consistently demonstrates sound judgment in the planning, implementation and follow-up of patient therapy programs.
• Maintains positive relationships and rapport with coworkers, supervisors, residents, family members, and community personnel and administration.
• Reports to work on time and coordinates schedule for efficient patient treatments.
• Assists with and participates in Quality Assurance Program as required.

Physical Requirements

• Physical demand for this job is classified as “medium work” which includes:
• Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally
• Exerting up to 25 pounds of force frequently
• Exerting up to 10 pounds of force constantly
• Occasional push and pull of up to 25 pounds
• Standing frequently
• Walking frequently
• Bending frequently
• Overhead reach infrequently
• Squatting occasionally
• Kneeling occasionally
• Standing rotation occasionally
• Gripping frequently
• Sitting occasionally
• Stair climbing occasionally

JOB RELATIONSHIPS

• Responsible to and reports to the supervising Occupational therapist and Director of Therapy/Rehab.