JOB TITLE: Occupational Therapist

REPORTS TO: Clinical Manager

• BASIC PURPOSE

The Occupational Therapist (OT) provides occupational therapy for home health patients in accordance with the individual patients needs and goals as addressed in the Plan of Care. The OT must have knowledge and understanding of a patients illness or injury and the ability to assess these needs and plan appropriate interventions. The role of the OT is to work as part of the home care team including Registered Nurse, Physical Therapist, Speech Therapist, Social Worker and Home Health Aide to assist the patient in achieving his/her optimum goals.

• PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Evaluates patients functional status, muscle function, endurance, visual coordination, written and verbal communication skills, self-care ability, work capacity, etc.
• Evaluates home environment for hazards or barriers to independent living.
• Participates in the development of and communicates the Plan of Care to attending physician, home care team members and patient/family and/or caregivers as it relates to occupational therapy services.
• Teaches patient and/or family/caregivers new skills or retrains in activities of daily living in accordance with the Plan of Care.
• Fabricates splints as needed and instructs patient, families and/or caregivers in the use of various types of adaptive equipment to improve function.
• May train patient, family and/or caregiver in the use of prosthetic and/or orthotic devices.
• Reports patients reaction to treatment or changes in care to patients physician as needed and appropriate.
• Instructs and educates other home care personnel, patient and/or family/caregivers in patients therapy treatment regimen, as well as the goals of therapy.
• Identifies patient and family needs for other home health services and refers them to those services.
• Supervises home health aides when they are participating in the patients therapy regimen.
• Participates in Altenheim Home Health Cares Quality Assessment/Performance Improvement program as requested.
• Confers with the attending physician, home health team members and patient and/or family/caregivers to promote coordinated and comprehensive care.
• Participates in meetings, inservices and other related activities as needed.
• Completes a minimum of twelve (12) hours of inservices per year.
• Maintains appropriate clinical records, progress notes and reports to the physician and submits these records in a timely manner in accordance with Altenheim Home Health Cares state and federal guidelines and regulations.
• Meets or exceeds delivery of Altenheim Home Health Care service standards in a consistent fashion.
• Complies with local, state, and federal laws, Medicare regulations and established Altenheim Home Health Care policies and procedures (includes confidentiality and HIPAA).
• Conducts all business activities in a professional and ethical manner and adheres to Altenheim Home Health Cares Code of Conduct.

The primary responsibility statements are intended to be a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those stated in this description.

• HUMAN RELATIONS

• Must maintain a professional attitude and demeanor and be able to communicate effectively and relate courteously and cooperatively with patients, caregivers, colleagues, supervisor, co-workers and all others.
• Must be able to demonstrate optimism, enthusiasm and willingness to work constructively with other health care team members and reflect concern for the
  well-being of patients and others.

• PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS (See Attached Physical Requirements Form)

• This position requires the OT to work in a variety of environments (housing styles, cleanliness and maintenance, heating and cooling) during visits to patients in their place of residence.
• Visual/hearing ability must be sufficient to comprehend written/verbal communication.
• The therapist must have ability sufficient to ambulate throughout a patient's home, navigating stairs and other physical barriers typical to private residences.
• The therapist must be able to operate a motor vehicle and travel to and visit in patients homes in varying weather and road conditions.
• Must be able to deal effectively with stress.

• EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Education:

• Graduate of an occupational therapy curriculum accredited jointly by the committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation of the American Medical Association and the American Occupational Therapy Association.

Experience:

• Minimum of two years clinical experience as an Occupational Therapist. Community/ home health experience preferred.

Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification:

• Current license as an Occupational Therapist from the State of Ohio.
• Must possess valid drivers license.
• Must have the use of an automobile in good working condition and automobile insurance.
• Satisfactory criminal background check.
• Maintains current CPR certification.

I have read, reviewed and understand the Occupational Therapist job description.