Occupational Therapist - Inpatient - Per Diem (Weekends)

Join our team of specially trained inpatient occupational therapists who work with patients to facilitate safe discharge and to provide ongoing treatment to medically complex patients. We see patients on every ward of Tufts MC to treat a wide range of conditions including stroke, heart failure, heart surgery and transplants, trauma, shoulder and hip replacements, and spine surgeries. Our occupational therapy team provides guidance in developing clinical reasoning skills to allow for each therapist to make individualized, clinically informed treatment plans for our diverse patient population.

Tufts MC is a Comprehensive Stroke Center, Level 1 Trauma Center, and provides mechanical circulatory support for heart failure patients. Our inpatient occupational therapists work with a multi-disciplinary team to provide services that support our high medical acuity and medically complex patients' overall treatment programs.

Job Summary:

We are seeking a self-motivated Occupational Therapist who is responsible for providing comprehensive, evidence-based care to join our team.

The position involves regular contact with patients and members of their families, referring physicians, nurses, social workers, and all allied health and support personnel within Tufts MC. The staff member will act as a liaison with other disciplines for problem-solving issues that arise related to clinical therapy services. Primary duties include, but are not limited to:

The ideal candidate:

• Has the ability to manage and be flexible prioritizing patient caseload

• Has the medical literacy to perform complex chart reviews and determine appropriateness for therapy intervention

• Problem solves effectively with interdisciplinary team, patients and their families for optimal discharge planning of diverse patient populations

• Is willing and capable of continuous learning to provide care across the hospital

• Demonstrates flexibility in cross-coverage of various diagnoses based on staffing and patient census

• Is able to work effectively with a wide variety of patients with acute and long-term disability

• Is capable of treating independently in a variety of settings

• Provides occupational therapy intervention throughout the life span

• Is able to lift, position, push and/or transfer patients, supplies and equipment

Job Description

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy.

2. Occupational Therapy (OT) license.

3. National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy registration.

4. Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification.

5. One (1) year of experience as an Occupational Therapist

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Master's degree in Occupational Therapy.

Duties and Responsibilities: The duties and responsibilities listed below are intended to describe the general nature of work and are not intended to be an all-inclusive list. Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned.

1. Provides comprehensive evaluation and assessment of patient's physical, cognitive and self-care status.

2. Sets realistic short- and long-term goals and plan of care related to patient's occupational therapy needs within the musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiopulmonary, and integumentary systems.

3. Demonstrates the ability to carry out the appropriate treatment plan.

4. Works directly and collaboratively with the interdisciplinary health care team, the patient, and the patient's family to promote maximum level of patient safety and independence in discharge planning.

5. Documentation and billing is accurate and reflective of services provided in accordance with departmental guidelines.

6. Participates in all the educational responsibilities of a tertiary level acute care teaching facility.

7. Perform job as described by Inpatient Occupational Therapy Competencies

8. Educates colleagues and hospital employees regarding role of occupational therapy.

9. Supervises and mentors students and support staff.

10. Maintains collaborative, team relationships with peers and colleagues in order to effectively contribute to the group's achievement of goals and foster a positive work environment.

11. Possesses communication and interpersonal skills sufficient for effective teamwork. Supports a team approach to problem solving.

12. Demonstrates initiative, organization, and follow-through pertaining to job duties.

13. Keeps abreast of new techniques and interventions.

14 . Maintains established departmental policies and procedures, objectives, quality assurance programs, safety, environmental and infection control standards.

15. Routinely in contact with interdisciplinary team members on your assigned rotation (example- actively participates in ongoing dialog with referring team members).

16. Follows initiatives and policies put forth by director and supervisors.

17. Assists in identifying areas for improvement in clinical service.

Physical Requirements:

1. Prolonged, extensive, or considerable standing, walking, and transferring patients.2. Manual dexterity using fine hand manipulation to operate computer keyboard, dexterity to provide quantitative testing and manual treatment techniques to a wide variety of patients.

Regularly lift and/or move 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds.

Skills & Abilities:

1. Demonstrate interpersonal skills including communication, teamwork, and willing to work one-on-one or a group basis.

2. Ability to work independently, to be self-motivated and well organized. Ability to function well in very busy situations.

3. Responsible and reliable.

4. Demonstrates flexibility and able to adjust to changes at a moment's notice.

5. Maturity to operate effectively within a multi-disciplinary setting.

6. Able to work effectively with a wide variety of patients with acute and long-term disability.

7. Ability to read/write and communicate in English.

8. Ability to assess the needs of patients of all different age populations in order to provide care appropriately.

9. Ability to observe and evaluate treatment effects and adjusts plan of care as appropriate.

10. Knowledge of occupational therapy principles, practices, and other treatment skills.

11. Ability to observe and evaluate treatment effect and adjust plan of care as appropriate.

12. Demonstrates proper time management skills to attain department productivity while assuring quality patient care.

13. Ability to apply knowledge of physical modalities, splinting, therapeutic exercise, adaptive equipment and other treatment skills.