Description

Promotes optimum health and function by preventing, identifying, correcting, and alleviating acute or prolonged dysfunction of anatomic or physiologic origin.

§ Evaluates adult, and geriatric patients, applying diagnostic muscle, nerve, joint and functional ability tests, providing an assessment and treatment plan for all appropriate patient problems

§ Administers heat, cold, and compression modalities to aid in the reduction of pain and edema, and to maximize strength, range of motion, and functional abilities.

§ Instructs, assists, and supervises patients in the performance of therapeutic exercise, fine motor coordination activities, transfers, and daily living activities.

§ Directs patients in the use of, and fabricates or modifies when appropriate, adaptive equipment, splints, orthotic and prosthetic devices.

§ Documents and maintains all patient and departmental records including initial evaluations, progress notes, discharge summaries, treatment attendance, and patient charges.

§ Provides education and instruction to patients, their families, facility staff and to the community as required, to promote rehabilitation, injury prevention, and wellness.

§ Assists in promoting and maintaining a high level of quality patient care.

§ Assists in the performance of other administrative functions as required, including maintenance of department supplies and equipment, and recommendations for the budgeting process.

§ Uses appropriate developmental register in verbal and written evaluation, treatment, and education.

§ Recognizes appropriate modality/media contraindication according to physical and developmental factors.

§ Develops referral/discharge plan consistent with patient and family needs, utilizing appropriate age/development related community resources.

§ Maintains current clinical knowledge related to age groups and diagnosis treated.

§ Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

§ Must be licensed as an occupational therapist in the State of Florida.

§ Must have a Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited school of occupational therapy.

§ Must have previous experience in long-term care; knowledge of federal and state long-term care regulations; and knowledge of Medicare regulations and reimbursement requirements.

§ Must be able to support patients effectively for transfers; be able to push, pull, and stabilize during exercise sessions.

§ Must be able to problem-solve with patients, family members, and other members of the health care team.

§ Must be able to analyze information gathered from the patient and other sources and plan appropriate and effective treatment programs. Must be creative in problem solving for adapting equipment and environments to meet the patient’s needs.

§ Must be able to operate heat and cold modalities, adaptive and prosthetic equipment, wheelchairs, and splint fabricating equipment. 

§ Must understand daily living activities and have general knowledge of household equipment.

§ Must have reliable transportation.

§ Must be able to read, write and speak the English language in an understandable manner.

§ Must be able to sit, stand, bend, lift and move intermittently throughout the workday.

§ Must be in good general health and demonstrate emotional stability.

§ Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.

§ Must be able to relate to and work with ill, disabled, elderly, and emotionally upset people.

§ Assume the responsibility for maintaining professional competence through participation in programs/seminars/training.

§ Willing to work beyond the normal working hours, on weekends, and in other positions temporarily, when necessary.

§ Ability to handle department equipment according to standard procedures.

§ Must possess sight and hearing senses, or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately so that the requirements of this position can be fully met.

§ Must function independently, have flexibility, personal integrity, tact, and the ability to work effectively with residents, staff, and visitors.

§ Report all accidents and incidents to supervisor no matter how minor they may be.

§ Attends and participates in in-service classes, on-the-job programs, etc. as scheduled and directed.

§ Honor the Residents’ Rights polices at all times.