DESCRIPTION:

The occupational therapist is responsible for evaluating the patient’s level of physical functioning in the home and to work with the patient, family and/or others to provide training and/or assistive devices to eliminate or reduce areas of deficit. The occupational therapist also works with the other professional staff to establish rehabilitation and maintenance measurable goals and activities.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Education Requirements:
1. Current licensure in New York State
2. Current Registration with the American Occupational Therapy Association in New York State.
3. Graduate of a program in occupational therapy curriculum accredited jointly by the Council on Medical Education of the American Medical Association in collaboration with the American Occupational Therapy Association; or
4. Graduate of a curriculum in occupational therapy which is recognized by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists and is eligible for registration with the American Occupational Therapy Association.

Minimum Training Required:
1. A minimum of one year occupational therapy experience in a health care setting, preferably home health care.
2. Demonstration of considerable knowledge of current principals, procedures and techniques of occupational therapy.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provides occupational therapy services for patients as ordered by the prescribing physician.
• Assess and evaluates, physical and cognitive functional deficits of the individual patients, utilizing occupational therapy guidelines/modalities, professional knowledge and skills to provide quality patient services.
• Performs clinical tests to determine mental status and attention span, functional limitations, endurance level, range of motions, upper body strength, balance, mobility/transfer and ambulation level and potential for restoration.
• Completes an initial evaluation visit within three (3) business days of a patient referral;

o makes telephone contact with the HHA nurse, followed by the submission of a written report to include assessment findings, measurable goals, visit frequency, and estimated duration of service. Recommendations and plans of treatment to the physician

• Evaluates, develops and implements patient individualized occupational therapeutic

o modalities. Documents and communicate recommendations to the patient’s physician on the plan of care.

• Implements/establish specific functional exercise programs/treatments, use of adaptive equipment/devices to increase muscle strength, range of motion and coordination of upper extremities for improved ADL functions. Instructs, assess and monitors patient’s outcomes.
• Assess/monitor/revises changes in occupational therapy plan for effective patient care.
• Coordinates with field staff and develops patient care plans to meet identified occupational therapy needs, seeks clinical guidance from occupational therapy managing personnel to service the hard to service patients.
• Evaluates and treats cognitive perceptual defects.
• Develops implements patient specific Home Exercise Program and provides timely upgrade to this Program.
• Timely documentation of patient care information on evaluation data, treatment modalities, communications on patient program and response to interventions in patient clinical records.
• Provides patient/caregiver/healthcare worker education on Home Exercise Program, adaptive equipment/device/ monitors/assess for understanding, compliance and outcomes.
• Maintains records for each patient treated; by documenting findings, diagnosis, treatment methodologies, interventions, special precautions, progress notes, record of visits and discharge summary.
• Ongoing communication with the HHA nurse regarding all information; assessment findings, barriers that will influence or change provision of services including any unusual situations observed during the course of service.
• Provide timely reports, outcomes, recommendations and changes in the care plan to the patient’ physicians.
• Participates in Agency in-service education programs, Quality Assurance, Interdisciplinary Team Meetings.
• Consults with other members of the health team to coordinate therapeutic programs for all patients including the hard to service patients.
• Timely documentation and submission of patient clinical findings, treatments/interventions outcomes and plans.
• Initiates and maintains verbal/written communication according to the HHA policy to ensure coordinated patient quality care.
• 60 Day Reports: Re-evaluates patients every 60 days to detect outcomes/progress attained and documents findings, discharge plans and changes to the care plans for the upcoming 60 Days. Submits reports within three (3) business days following the date for inclusion in the patient’s clinical record.
• Discharge Summary: Submits discharge summaries at the completion of services that includes assessment findings, treatment methodologies, service outcomes and any recommendations for follow-up care.
• Assumes responsibility for continued professional growth by maintaining professional memberships and annual professional certifications.
• Performs other related duties as required.