OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT, CER

The Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant is responsible for providing treatment, under the supervision of an Occupational Therapist, using sound professional practices as defined by the standards of the American Occupational Therapy Association, to individuals needing occupational therapy services.

Responsibilities

• Reviews relevant background information pertaining to patients’ problems and functioning.
• Prioritizes and completes portions of clinical assessments of patients as assigned by the OTR. Develops proposals for documentation forms in accordance with changes in policy and procedure.
• Contributes to the screening, evaluation, and reevaluation process when clinically indicated or required by administering assessments of occupational performance under the supervision of the OTR and after demonstrating competence.
• Presents results to patients, families, caregivers, treatment teams, and/or other individuals involved in the patients’ care.
• Provides individualized, evidenced-based treatment that is consistent with the results of the evaluation and the physician (referral source acting within their scope of practice) prescription and is designed to assist patients to reach their functional goals.
• Provides treatment while sensitively and effectively varying approach in accordance with patients’ individual needs and background.
• Meets service area productivity standards.
• Selects and utilizes safe and effective treatment procedures and techniques for patients to reach all identified goals.
• Observes patients’ response to treatment during sessions and modifies methods, techniques, and/or goals as needed under the supervision of an OTR and after demonstrating competence.
• Provides patients with individualized home treatment activities and instructions for completing them.
• Coordinates services with other health care providers.
• Identifies discharge criteria, methods for achieving them, and possible obstacles following initial evaluation by and in collaboration with the OTR.
• Modifies criteria as needed as patients progress in treatment under the direct supervision of the OTR.
• Discharges patients from care with appropriate referrals and recommendations when discharge criteria are met and/or they are determined to be unrealistic under direct supervision of the OTR and competence has been demonstrated.
• Communicates with patients and, with patient consent, with families and caregivers, in a manner that facilitates their understanding of the treatment being provided and the achievement of positive outcomes.
• Provides clear explanation of the role of therapy.
• Educates patients/family/caregivers regarding problems identified and planned interventions. Conducts special research pertaining to individual patient diagnosis and treatment and presents new information to patient.
• Explains all treatment methods and goals.
• Provides detailed instructions for home treatment programs, including the activities to be completed and their duration and frequency.
• Discusses discharge criteria and plans immediately following initial evaluation and throughout treatment and assists patients to establish realistic expectations.
• Integrates verbal presentations of information with printed material and handouts and/or models.
• Provides opportunities for questions and discussion of all clinical information and ascertains patient understanding.
• Meets all documentation requirements.
• Completes clinical documentation in a timely and accurate manner in accordance with the requirements of the department and with external accrediting and reimbursement authorities.
• Accurately completes and submits required non-clinical documentation, including billing and scheduling information, in a timely manner.
• Utilizes professional and technically correct terminology.
• Consistently avoids use of unapproved abbreviations.
• Contributes to the professional life of the department.
• Attends and actively participates in all departmental and service area meetings, training programs, and other professional activities as appropriate.
• Promotes/advocates for the profession.
• Identifies and addresses professional education needs in order to provide safe and effective Per Diem services.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
  
  

Experience

• Completion of clinical affiliations as outlined by the American Occupational Therapy Association.
  
  

Education

• Associates Degree in Occupational Therapy, required
  
  

Licenses / Certifications

• New York State Licensed Occupational Therapist Assistant or limited permit
  
  

Other

• If applicable, the individual performing this job may reasonably anticipate coming into contact with human blood and other potentially infectious materials. Individuals in this position are required to exercise universal precautions, use personal protective equipment and devices, and learn the policies concerning infection control.
• Must demonstrate ability to form effective working relationships with hospital personnel, multidisciplinary team, patients and families.