OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST - (OT)

RESPONSIBILITIES:

·         Remediating instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) related to the patient’s discharge environment, such as preparing a meal or managing one’s home or finances

·         Training in functional mobility, such as how to prepare a meal while using an ambulatory device

·         Preparing the client and family for community reintegration (as appropriate for the client’s discharge site) with activities such as public dining or emergency response management

·         Assessing the need for and recommending potential home modifications and safety equipment to reduce barriers and promote safe functioning upon discharge

·         Exploring adaptations and compensatory strategies for return to volunteer or paid employment

·         Assessing current leisure skills to determine whether modifications are needed to continue participation and/or assisting with exploring new leisure pursuits

·         Teaching functional mobility, including using an ambulatory device and/or transfers to different surfaces, such as a bed, chair, toilet, or shower in order to perform self-care and personal tasks; and training in wheelchair mobility and safety appropriate for the resident’s level of cognition and perception

·         Remediating or enhancing IADLs, such as ability to use the telephone or the emergency staff call system

·         Teaching residents with cognitive and perceptual deficits in compensatory techniques to maximize abilities in areas such as attention span, orientation, sequencing, and/or memory

·         Teaching residents with low vision how to maximize their remaining vision and enhance safety through compensatory techniques, environmental modifications, assistive technology, and adaptive equipment

·         Instructing residents and caregivers in techniques to improve positioning, reduce the need for restraints, and maintain skin integrity

·         Modifying the environment and adapting tasks for safety (e.g., falls prevention, fatigue management)

·         Educating caregivers on ways to enhance function and preserve dignity by using the remaining abilities of adults with dementia

·         Providing opportunities for engagement in meaningful activities despite client limitations

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE:

·         Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from an accredited program

·         Successful completion of National Certification Examination

·         1 year of verifiable, supervised professional experience within the last 3 years

Valid OT license in the state of practice