Occupational Therapist

Summary: Provides case management and direct patient care within a team environment. Administers comprehensive skilled care.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: Graduate of an approved Occupational Therapy program.
• Licensure: Current Occupational Therapist license to practice in New York State.
• Experience: Minimum of one-year experience in a hospital inpatient setting.

Responsibilities

Qualified individuals must be capable of performing the following essential duties and responsibilities, with or without reasonable accommodations:

• Participates and assures that Care Delivery Services are consistent with the agency vision, mission, values and strategic goals and meet customer needs.
• Promotes the VNS philosophy, mission and administrative policies to ensure the delivery of quality care.
• Promotes effective working relationships and works effectively as part of the team to meet the goals and objectives of VNS.
• Promotes the VNS image by adhering to the dress code policy.
• Utilizes resources, supplies and time efficiently in order to contain costs and increase the value of all services to the community.
• Promotes positive, supportive, respectful communication to all external sources, patients, families and staff.
• Consistently displays behaviors in support of the overall organization.
• Supports public relations/sales and marketing initiatives to local community.
• Strives for continuous improvement in all aspects of the Occupational Therapist function and Care Delivery process using Total Quality Management principles and practices.
• Develops and maintains a customer-oriented environment responsive to the needs of all external/internal customers.
• Direct Patient Care Duties:
• Develops and revises plan of treatments and discharge plan in conjunction with patient, family, physician, care delivery team and third-party payors including obtaining medical orders and approval of medical services.
• Provides an environment, which promotes respect for the patients, their privacy, confidentiality and property.
• Initiates appropriate preventive and rehabilitative strategies.
• Consults with and educates the patient, family and other team members regarding disease process, self-care techniques and preventive strategies.
• Provides supervision of COTA to ensure patient health, safety, and compliance with plan of care.
• Directs, coordinates, evaluates and supervises the quality of patient care services provided by the Home Health Agency, including the clinical supervision of Home Health Aides.
• Interacts with patients, physicians, referral sources, and others in a manner conducive to continued positive relationships. Displays an exemplary level of patience, courtesy and tact.
• Supports Care Management philosophy. This includes collaborative customer focused planning, and case management designed to meet individual health and service needs and promote quality and cost-effective outcomes.
• Participates in regularly scheduled patient conferences with HHA's, nurses, therapists and MSW's for the purpose of discussing patient care, patient/family problems and to ensure comprehensive coordinated plan of treatment.
• Assures the completion of all appropriate clinical records needed for compliance with state and federal legislation and the delivery of seamless service within established timeframes.
• Refers to appropriate community agencies/resources via Care Management System ("CMS").
• Maintains current knowledge of all available VNS and community-based services.
• Demonstrates flexibility, enthusiasm and willingness to cooperate while working with customers and others whose support is necessary.
• Ensures problem resolution at the point of contact.
• Makes constructive recommendations to members of the VNS team regarding ways to improve quality of patient care, general operation of the care teams and external customer service.
• Sets example of integrity.
• Assists Group Leader and SDU V.P. in routinely monitoring and participating with customers in identifying potential new programs and services.
• Ensures patient's needs are met through the care delivery process and responds to customer needs in a manner that meets or exceed requirements.
• Ensures authorization and release of information form has been signed by patient or responsible party.
• Ensures practices, standards and behaviors meet agency performance competencies.
• Participates in the attainment of the Service Delivery Groups and Unit operational and financial objectives.
• Monitors results, progress and takes corrective action on quality indicators, including the level of customer satisfaction with the Occupational Therapist function.
• Understands the importance of the Occupational Therapist function and its impact on patients, other care providers, readmission, productivity, utilization, revenue and expense.
• Pursues efforts to reduce or eliminate avoidable costs and errors.
• Develops quality plans of care consistent with care paths and complies with JCAHO, OSHA/Regulatory practices and guidelines.
• Responds to findings of various Quality Management and QA processes and ensures resolution of potential problem areas.
• Maintains productivity requirements.
• Contributes to an environment of professional growth, learning, trust and mutual respect for all employees.
• Practices regular employee recognition through Recognition System.
• Recognizes personal worth of others.
• Recognizes team members and significant contributions.
• Encourages others to have fun and celebrate their accomplishments.
• Promotes the recognition, respect and celebration of the diversity of our workforce.
• Participates in education including orientation, in-service training programs and self-development, as needed.
• Generates new ideas and uses the VNS Bright Idea System.
• Demonstrates commitment, professional growth and competency.
• Participates in professional organizations, continuing education opportunities and shares acquired knowledge with team members.
• Responsible for the Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) established by their manager.
• Other duties as assigned.

*Note: The above information on this job has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

Knowledge, Skill, & Ability Requirements

• Working knowledge of the operation and minor maintenance of apparatus and equipment used in Occupational Therapy.
• Working knowledge of community resources.
• Knowledgeable in the principles, practices and techniques of Occupational Therapy.
• Effective interviewing, oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to accept and utilize supervision.
• Ability to function independently.

Technical & Systems/Equipment Proficiencies

• Microsoft Office Suite: Outlook, Word, Power Point and Excel
• E-Record (electronic medical record systems) EPIC experience preferred
• Office equipment, such as computers, printers, copiers, and fax machines, as well as multi-line phone systems
• Intranet/Internet

Other

• Valid Driver’s License
• Current Auto Insurance
• Travel throughout service area year around.

Salary Range: $67,700 - $115,045