Job Title: Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

Department: Rehabilitation Therapy

Reports to: Director of Rehabilitation Therapy, Occupational Therapist

Supervises: Therapy Aide

Job Summary:

To provide and document occupational therapy treatments and carry out the plan of care as directed by the occupational therapist in order to restore patient function, alleviate pain, and prevent disabilities. Assists is establishing an interdisciplinary team plan of care to work toward maintaining or improving the residents’ quality of live. Provide and document supervision of Therapy aides. The Occupational Therapy Assistant will work hours (including weekends and holidays) and sites as necessitated by the department’s needs.

Primary Job Duties:

• Prepares and maintains all documentation as required by the outside agency or area of patient service.
• Administer treatment programs as established by the Occupational Therapist.
• Discuss the resident’s progress with the attending physician, family, nursing, and other allied health professionals as needed.
• Assists in discharge planning and instructs resident and family in a home program and documents teaching.
• Supervises and instructs physical therapist assistant students from affiliated schools.
• Presents in-service education programs to the department and nursing home staff.
• Attends designated meetings, seminars, and in service programming.
• Maintains Occupational Therapy license as required by the NYS DOE.
• Recommends appropriate adaptive equipment, assistive devices, and rehabilitation equipment to the resident and physician.
• Assists and orientates new employees in departmental/facility forms and procedures.
• Maintains work environmental in a manger conducive to safety.
• Performs other related duties as required.
• Selects appropriate equipment/environment.
• Positions and drapes resident for maximum comfort, safety, and effectiveness.
• Reacts to changes in resident’s status in a given treatment session.
• Administers chosen treatment according to established guidelines.
• Prepares and submits relevant quality assurance reports.
• Other duties assigned by supervisor.
• Has adequate knowledge of MDS, PRI requirements.
• Performs quarterly, annual, and significant change screens as dictated by Occupational Therapist.

Other Job Duties

• Adheres to scheduled assignments.
• Adheres to ethical and legal standards of practice.
• Demonstrates good judgement.
• Maintains resident confidentiality.
• Treats residents in manner which reflects dignity, respect, and value for human life.
• Uses discretion when conversing with and in front of residents.

• Maintains balance between personal and professional relationships.

• Demonstrates the appropriate level of competence in performing treatments.

Job Specifications:

• Education:

• Associates Degree, Occupational Therapy Assistant

• Experience:

• Preferred 1 year clinical experience in a health care setting
• Preferred 1 year experience in a long term care setting

• License/Certifications:

• Current NYS Occupational Therapy Assistant License
• CPR Certification

Physical and Environmental Work Requirements:

• Able to stand, walk, bend, squat, kneel reach, pull, push, grasp and lift up to 50 pounds.
• Observes OSHA and DOH health and safety regulations.
• Uses universal precautions.
• Demonstrates safe resident care.
• Maintains working area in a manner conductive to safety.
• Uses good body mechanics for self and residents.
• Demonstrates knowledge of indications and contraindications in resident care.
• Administers treatment within physiological tolerance of the resident.
• Requests appropriate assistance when necessary.
• Offers assistance to staff and residents in a timely manner.
• Able to utilize a computer with basic word processing skills and ability to utilize the internet.