Occupational Therapist - Per Diem

OBJECTIVE SUMMARY: Responsible for providing comprehensive skilled OT evaluation and treatment of inpatients and outpatients consistent with AOTA, State, District, and departmental standards

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Assess the patient’s Occupational Therapy needs:

• Obtain a medical history, particularly as it is related to the present condition, from the patient, family, physician, team member, and/or previous records
• Evaluate the patient including the following areas:
• ADL activities including dressing, grooming, feeding, and homemaking skills
• Perceptual skills including visual-perceptual skills, eye-hand coordination, position in space: touch/sensations, stereognosis, proprioception, tactile discrimination, body awareness, image, left/right discrimination and neglect requiring fine motor coordination.
• Physical skills – ROM, muscle strength, balance, and hand functions: including grasp, release, coordination, and functional limitation requiring standing, balance, functional ambulation for ADLs and work place.
• Cognitive abilities including ability to plan and carry out activity, concentration, attention span and judgment, requiring standing set up of patient at workspace.
• Assess need for adaptive equipment and assistive devices in above areas requiring hands on changes interior/exterior of home settings such as lift/bend, push/pull.
• Assess need for corrective and /or preventative splinting
• Evaluate the patient’s condition, family and home situation to determine what assistance will be available from family members in caring for the patient and determine if additional services/resources are needed; if/when patient is to go home

Develop an individualized therapy plan:

• Utilize the assessment data to develop a care plan using the problem-oriented record format; develop a written teaching plan, including objectives and methods of teaching and adjust information to patient’s current level of understanding.
• Interpret Rehab Department/OT services as the patient and family are involved in the development of a care plan.
• Consult with appropriate disciplines and request their involvement in care, using their information and ideas to develop the plan.
• Consult the physician and obtain consent to proceed with assessed treatment plan.
• Assure implementation of the therapy plan:
• Provide skilled Occupational Therapy services at frequency required to meet goals as follows:
• Provide OT services and treatment requiring specialized skill and ordered by the physician.
• Instruct patient, caregiver, and staff in proper usage of adaptive and assistive devices.
• Instruct, supervise, and counsel patient, caregiver, and staff in continuity of care management.
• Administer planned and informal learning experiences for the patient, delegating appropriate reinforcement to other team members.
• Maintain responsibility for care given by Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants:
• Develop the care plan to be implemented by the COTA.
• Provide specific instructions to the COTA regarding the plan prior to COTA’s first visit. This includes verbal and written instructions and demonstrations as needed.
• Supervise the COTA as needed by at least monthly, including: general and specific discussion regarding implementation of treatment plan at each visit made by the COTA (including patient’s performance); Review of all OT notes written by the COTA which correspond to treatment and specific instructions of changes, upgrading treatment plan as necessary according to patient’s needs.
• Periodically inspect the COTA’s performance and re-evaluate functioning of the patient as needed
• Perform those skilled services that the COTA may not be qualified to perform (i.e. assess/re-assess)
• Other duties as assigned by Rehabilitation Services Director

REQUIRED EDUCATION: Graduate of an Occupational Therapy School approved by the Council of Medical Education of the AMA in collaboration with the American Occupational Therapy Association or its equivalent

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE: Prefer minimum of one year experience in adult patient inpatient in a rehabilitation/hospital setting, as well as outpatient clinic treatment

SKILLS:

• Ability to apply therapy skills and techniques
• Demonstrates the maturity and capability of representing the Physical Therapy department
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Lifting ability of up to 25 lbs. with proper technique. Lifting and positioning of patients. Working with people that are frustrated or depressed due to their lack of functional ability or other issues. Ability to handle multiple tasks concurrently.

OTHER DUTIES – Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.