Occupational Therapist

THIS IS A PRN POSITION

Position Summary: 

Responsible for providing medically prescribed Occupational Therapy to clients in the home in accordance with agency policies. Participates in developing and implementing the plan of care with goals and documentation appropriate to discipline guidelines. Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to perform evaluations, assessments, client care, and teaching specific to OT. Must be able to function as part of the team to promote quality care, as well as coordinating care and supervising other team members as needed. Able to adapt to unexpected/unusual situations and continue to function efficiently and effectively.  

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Performs occupational therapy procedures and evaluations on clients for whom these have been medically prescribed and establishes measurable goals.
• Teaches appropriate treatment procedures and supportive activities to clients and family members.
• Translates all exercises into functional activities or activities of daily living.
• Develops needed plan for modifying equipment, appliances, and the physical surroundings in client’s home.
• Confers periodically with the attending physicians regarding client’s progress. Reports to them the physical and emotional condition and reactions to treatment and interprets social and physical factors in the environment that affect client care.
• Interprets to the client and family the implications of the treatment consistent with the actions and wishes of the physician and evaluates progress toward outcomes.
• Helps the family accept responsibility for providing care.
• Helps individuals and families to accept and adjust positively to physical, mental, and social limitations.
• Evaluates client’s progress towards goals on an ongoing basis, making changes in the therapy program as necessary, under the physician’s direction.
  Teaches basic principles of good posture and body mechanics in relation to changing needs of individuals in all age groups.
• Maintains necessary records.
• Provides advisory and consultation services to staff.
• Develops and revises plan of care in collaboration with client/family, physician, and other team members.
• Demonstrates rehabilitation procedures and supportive activities on selected clients to nurses responsible for follow-up services.
• Supervises Therapy Assistants and Home Health Aides as appropriate.
• Participates in the recertification process and interdisciplinary team conferences.
• Notes progress towards discharge planning. Communicates with physician and other disciplines regarding discharge planning.
• Completes OASIS assessments accurately at appropriate time points.
• Maintains an understanding of the company’s scope of services.
• Understands the infrastructure and how and where to transfer calls in the company.   
• Maintains a professional image.
• Participates in interdisciplinary conferences as required.
• Submits clinical documentation in a timely manner according to agency policy.
• Uses appropriate phone etiquette. 
• Promotes a customer friendly atmosphere for all visitors and ensures client confidentiality at all times. 
• Participates in accreditation program.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Participates in in-service program.

Skills:

• Self-Starter – Takes initiative identifies needs of co-workers and customers and solves problems.
• Reading Comprehension – Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Time Management – Managing one’s own time
• Speaking – Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Writing – Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• Critical Thinking – using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths ands weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems. 
• Able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation. 

Education/Experience: 

• BS degree and graduation from an accredited school of Occupational Therapy required. 
• Work experience of at least one year as a occupational Therapist. 
• Able to prioritize and manage time effectively and make independent decisions when necessary. 

Licenses, Certifications and/or Registrations:

• Current Florida Occupational Therapist License.  
• Current CPR certification.  
• Current driver's license with access to an auto and required insurance coverage.

Working Conditions:

• Office and residential environments. May be exposed to biological hazards.