The Occupational Therapist organizes and conducts occupational therapy programs for the agency to facilitate rehabilitation. In addition, they direct patient participation in selected tasks to restore, reinforce, and enhance performance. The Occupational Therapist facilitates the learning of those skills and functions essential for adaptation and productivity, in order to diminish or correct pathology.
RESPONSIBILITIES/ACCOUNTABILITIES:
As necessary or applicable, supervision of Occupational Therapy Assistants, temporary licensees, students and support personnel in accordance with state licensure requirements and professional standards.
Responsible for the effective and efficient delivery of rehab services; adherence to an established plan of care, department and patient(s)' schedule, and timely documentation of services.
Attends and contributes to patient care, staffing conferences and other related meetings.
Makes referrals to other disciplines, agencies in order to address the comprehensive needs of the patient.
Consults with other members of the rehabilitation team to select the most appropriate therapeutic regimen consistent with the needs and capabilities of each patient.
Adapts program and/or plan of care according to the needs of individual patients.
Promotes a safe environment and enforces the elimination of fire and safety hazards.
Orders supplies and equipment as necessary.
Cleans, maintains, identifies, and reports the need for repair of equipment as necessary.
Puts patient service first: ensures that patients and families receive the highest quality of service in a caring and compassionate atmosphere which recognizes the individuals' needs and rights.
Screens, examines and evaluates patients, including history, systems review, and application of appropriate tests and measures, synthesis information and interprets examination findings in order to establish a diagnosis, identify impairments, determine the predicted level of improvement and the time required to achieve it, identify precautions/contraindications and design and plan of care. Develops appropriate treatment goals and methods in collaboration with the patient and caregivers, implements the occupational therapy treatment plan, and completes all related documentation and record keeping regarding these services. Services include but are not limited to application of therapeutic techniques in areas such as:
cognitive skills
muscle strength
coordination
endurance
mobility
perceptual abilities
sensory awareness
sitting and standing tolerance
balance
activities of daily living
joint protection
work simplification
orientation
physical agent modalities
Designs, fabricates, fits and/or applies adaptive devices, and trains patients in the use of adaptive devices including orthotics and prosthetics.
Selects appropriate activities suited to the individual's physical and mental capacity, intelligence level and interest.
Instructs patients in the skills and techniques required for participation in functional activities and evaluates patient progress, attitudes, and behavior as related to rehabilitative potential.
Performs routine reexamination as needed/required to modify/progress plan of treatment.
Performs other related duties as required.
Requirements:
They must have a Bachelor's degree in an occupational therapy curriculum accredited by ACOTE standards.
They must have initial registration from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy.
The Occupational Therapist must hold a valid and unencumbered occupational therapy license as required in the state of practice.