Description

JOB SUMMARY:

Responsible to carry out Occupational Therapy services as outlined and in collaboration with the licensed Occupational Therapist in accordance with current applicable federal, state andlocal standards, guidelines and regulations, professional practice act as outlined by the California Board of Occupational Therapy to assure that the highest degree of quality resident care can be maintained at all times.

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION:

Associate degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited college or technical school

Current California license as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

EXPERIENCE: Must have training in rehabilitative and therapy services or the ability to develop

knowledge and skills required for treatment of residents.

Prior experience in a therapist capacity in a hospital, skilled nursing

care facility, or other related medical facility is preferred.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.
• Must have the ability to work collaboratively with other disciplines.
• Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.
• Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel and the general public.
• Must be knowledgeable of occupational therapy procedures.
• Must possess leadership and supervisory ability and the willingness to work harmoniously with and supervise professional and nonprofessional personnel.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Delegation of Authority
   1. 1. As the Occupational Therapy Assistant, you are delegated the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary for carrying out your assigned duties.

1. Administrative Functions
   1. 1. Assist the Occupational Therapist in organizing and implementing the occupational therapy services, as well as its programs and activities, in accordance with current rules, regulations, and guidelines that govern the skilled nursing care facility.
      2. Assist in developing and maintaining occupational therapy standards.
      3. Meet with nursing staff as well as other related departments in planning therapy services.
      4. Participate in discharge planning and education of residents and their families or caregivers.
      5. Maintain treatment records, patient files and progress notes as required.
      6. Completes accurate and timely documentation to ensure charges for therapy services, rendered to residents, are submitted to the business office as required.
      7. Represent the facility at and participate in meetings as directed.
      8. Ensure therapy charges for occupational therapy services rendered each day are accurately entered into electronic system.
      9. Maintain an adequate liaison with families and patients.

1. Committee Functions
   1. 1. Serve on, participate in, and/or attend various committees of the facility as required.
      2. Participate in QAPI committees as required.

1. Personnel Functions
   1. 1. Provide guidance and training for new and/or less experienced personnel.
      2. Maintain an excellent working relationship with the medical profession and other health related facilities and organizations.
      3. Create and maintain an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest and positive emphasis, as well as a calm environment throughout the department.
      4. Meet with and solicit advice from other department supervisors concerning occupational therapy, assist in identifying and correcting problem areas, and/or the improvement of services.

1. Nursing Care and Consultation Functions
   1. 1. Review request for occupational therapy and physicians' orders.
      2. Interview resident to determine type of treatment and make recommendations to the Occupational Therapist.
      3. Select rehabilitative and therapeutic activities and exercises based on the plan of care developed by the evaluating Occupational Therapist.
      4. Demonstrate to residents and staff personnel, as necessary, the procedures involved in the treatment process.
      5. Recommend modifications and changes in the resident’s therapy treatment to the Occupational Therapist as indicated
      6. Perform occupational therapy in the most appropriate environment for the treatment provided.
      7. Instruct and supervise resident during therapy.
      8. Brief resident of procedures involved in occupational therapy.
      9. Reassure resident before and during therapy treatments.
      10. Assure that all therapist notes are informative and descriptive of the care provided and of the resident's response to the care.

1. Safety and Sanitation
   1. 1. Assist in developing safety standards for the occupational therapy department.
      2. Assure that therapy personnel, residents, visitors, etc., follow established departmental policies and procedures at all times, including appropriate dress codes.
      3. Be alert for resident safety during any/all therapy.
      4. Comply with established safety precautions at all times.
      5. Assure that the therapy area is maintained in a clean and safe manner for resident comfort and convenience by assuring that necessary equipment and supplies are maintained to perform such duties/services.
      6. Maintain a procedure for reporting hazardous conditions or equipment.
      7. Assist in identifying and classifying departmental procedures that involve exposure to blood or body fluids as necessary.

1. Equipment and Supply Functions
   1. 1. Provide necessary material/equipment for resident to perform required therapy.
      2. Recommend to the Director of Rehab Services the equipment and supply needs of the department.
      3. Implement and maintain procedures that ensure occupational therapy supplies are used in an efficient manner to avoid waste.

1. Resident Rights
   1. 1. Maintain the confidentiality of all resident care information.
      2. Ensure that resident's rights to fair and equitable treatment, self-determination, individuality, privacy, property and civil rights, including the right to wage a complaint, are well established and maintained at all times.
      3. Report complaints and grievances made by the resident, families, and/or visitors and make oral/written reports to the Director of Rehab Services.
      4. Abide by the resident's decision whether or not to participate in treatment.
      5. Inform the resident of consequences of not participating in prescribed therapy and document such action in the resident's clinical record.
      6. Allow the resident to participate in the planning and scheduling of his or her treatments.

1. Other Duties as Assigned by Director of Rehabilitation Services.

1. Staff Development

1. Recognize self-evaluation and self-development as important tools in maintaining high standards of care and professionalism.
2. Seek and provide peer support and consultation.
3. Participate in facility/department in services.
4. Attend continuing education programs to keep abreast of current changes in the healthcare field, as well as to maintain the standards of professional license.
5. Attend facility/department/staff meetings as required.
6. Participate and assist in departmental studies and projects as assigned or that may become necessary.

1. Customer Service
   1. Provide compassionate resident care services.
   2. Establish and maintain positive interactions with internal and external customers, including residents, families, co-workers, vendors and other associates.

1. Working Conditions
   1. 1. Works in office areas, therapy rooms, resident rooms, etc.
      2. Sits, stands, bends, lifts and moves intermittently during working hours.
      3. Is subject to frequent interruptions.
      4. Is involved with physicians, residents, visitors, government agencies/personnel, etc., under all conditions/circumstances.
      5. Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, personnel and visitors.
      6. Communicates with the medical staff, nursing personnel, and other department supervisors.
      7. Works beyond normal working hours and on weekends and holidays when necessary, as well as in other positions as needed.
      8. Must be constantly alert for resident safety.
      9. Attends and participates in continuing educational programs as may be required by current regulations.
      10. Is subject to falls, burns from equipment, infectious diseases, odors, assaults from hostile residents, etc., throughout the work day.
      11. Is subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc., including the AIDS and Hepatitis B viruses.
      12. Is subject to lifting, carrying and supporting residents.
      13. Maintains a liaison with the residents, their families, other departments, etc., to adequately plan for the resident's occupational therapy needs.

1. Physical and Sensory Requirements (Withor Without the Aid ofMechanical Devices)
   1. 1. Must be able to move intermittently throughout the work day.
      2. Must be able to speak and write the English language in an understandable manner.
      3. Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.
      4. Must possess sight/hearing senses or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately so that the requirements of this position can be met.
      5. Must function independently, have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with residents, personnel, support agencies, and outside agencies.
      6. Must be in good general health and demonstrate emotional stability.
      7. Must be able to relate to and work with ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and at all times hostile people within the facility.
      8. Must be able to lift, push, pull, and move residents, medical equipment, supplies, etc. a minimum of fifty (50) pounds.
      9. Must be able to assist in the evacuation of residents. Must be willing to perform tasks that may involve exposure to the resident's blood/body fluids.
      10. Must be willing to perform tasks that may involve exposure to the resident's blood/body fluids.