Occupational Therapist

Description

Job Description Summary:

The Occupational Therapist is responsible for ensuring that patient care is coordinated, managed, and delivered appropriately in a cost-effective and financially responsible manner

Essential Job Functions/Responsibilities:

1. Evaluates patients' functional status (muscle function, endurance, visual coordination, written and verbal communication skills, self-care ability, work capacity, etc.). Evaluates home environment for hazards or barriers to more independent living. Identifies equipment needs. Participates in the development of the total plan of care.
2. For patients who plan to return to work, the occupational therapist may perform work capacity evaluation and may refer to specialized vocational training in accordance with Organization policy.
3. Develops treatment program and establishes goals for improved function. Communicates plan of care to referring physician and other Organization professionals.
4. May teach new skills or retrain patient in once familiar daily activities that have been lost due to illness or injury, in accordance with Organization policy.
5. May fabricate splints and instruct patient in the use of various types of adaptive equipment to improve function.
6. May train patient in the use of prosthetic and/or orthotic devices.
7. Maintains appropriate clinical records, clinical notes, and reports to the physician any changes in the patient's condition. Submits these records in accordance with Organization policy.
8. Maintains contact/communication with other personnel involved in the patients care to promote coordinated, efficient care.
9. Attends and contributes to in-services, case conferences, and other meetings as required by Organization policy to ensure coordinated and comprehensive plans of care for the patients of the Organization.
10. Identifies patient and family/caregiver needs for other home health services and refers as appropriate.
11. Instructs patients family/caregiver and other Organization health care personnel in patients treatment regime when indicated and appropriate.
12. Supervises Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants according to organization policy and state regulations.
13. When therapy is the only skilled service, instructs, supervises and evaluates home health aide care every two (2) weeks.
14. Participates in discharge planning for patient.

Qualifications

Position Qualifications:

1. Follow all privacy policies of US CareNet and maintain the confidentiality of protected healthcare information (PHI).
2. Graduate of an occupational therapy curriculum accredited jointly by the Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation of the American Medical Association and the American Occupational Therapy Association.
3. Registered with the National Registration Examination of the American Occupational Therapy Association.
4. Two years of clinical experience as an Occupational Therapist.
5. Demonstrates good verbal and written communication, and organization skills.
6. Possess and maintains current CPR Certification.

Continuing Education Requirements: Organization personnel are expected to participate in appropriate continuing education as may be requested and/or required by their immediate supervisor. In addition, organization personnel are expected to accept personal responsibility for other educational activities to enhance job related skills and abilities. All personnel must attend mandatory educational programs.

Environmental and Working Conditions

Environmental Conditions: May be exposed to extremes of heat and cold in all weather conditions. Must drive in various weather conditions on roads in varying degrees of repair.

Working Conditions: May be exposed to infections and contagious diseases. Contact with patients under wide variety of circumstances. May be exposed or occasionally exposed to patient elements. Subject to varying and unpredictable situations. Handles emergency or crisis situations. Travel required. OSHA exposure category:

Category I Position includes tasks that involve exposure to blood, body fluids, tissues.

Required Personal Protective Equipment: as required by working conditions