What are the responsibilities and job description for the Occupational Therapist Assistant position at Houston Methodist?
JOB SUMMARY
At Houston Methodist, the Occupational Therapist Assistant (OTA) is an experienced member of the direct patient care team and provides patient treatments under the direction of a Licensed Occupational Therapist. Performs routine occupational therapy treatments and procedures from basic to moderate complexity as established by the plan of care. Performs related patient care support activities. Works with team members in monitoring and adjusting activities to ensure optimum patient throughput and patient experience. Guides and mentors other OTAs, Technicians, and students to help build confidence in skills, knowledge and abilities. Teaches, orients and precepts other OTAs and Technicians. Delivers exceptional patient care and adheres to safety standards and guidelines to ensure optimal patient safety, customer service, and optimum patient outcomes.
PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Job responsibilities labeled EF capture those duties that are essential functions of the job.
PEOPLE - 20 %
- Promotes a positive work environment and contributes to a dynamic, team focused work unit that actively helps one another to achieve optimal department results. Collaborates with all members of the patient care team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent patient care information and data in a comprehensive manner. (EF)
- Guides and mentors Occupational Therapist Assistants, Technicians, and students to help build confidence in skills, knowledge and abilities. Teaches, orients and precepts new Occupational Therapists and Technicians. (EF)
- Provides oversight to patient care activity performed by assigned technician. (EF)
SERVICE - 20 %
- Obtains applicable and relevant information prior to patient's treatment sessions. Provides education of plan of care to patients, family members, or caregivers (EF).
- Implements treatment programs as established by the supervising Occupational Therapist. Communicates and records patient's response to treatment plan. (EF)
- Provides care for the physical needs of patients by executing various occupational therapy concepts to maximize performance. This includes: positioning, physiology, procedure preparation, and technical factors. (EF)
- Monitors and adjusts activities and assignments of assigned team members to ensure optimum patient throughput and experience. (EF)
QUALITY/SAFETY - 20 %
- Monitors patient's progress and modifies treatment as allowed by the plan of care, recognizing complications/limitations associated with certain procedures. Collaborates and communicates with supervising therapist and other health care staff modifications to patient's treatment process, progress, and discharge planning. (EF)
- Ensures all rehabilitation equipment has had QC performed as required and is in safe working order prior to use. Reports any malfunctions to management and regularly practices preventive maintenance procedures; calls for service if needed. (EF)
- Identifies opportunities for corrective action and process improvement providing recommendations, and contributes to meeting departmental and hospital targets for quality and safety. Collects and reviews quality metrics and analytics. Identifies and recommends process improvement opportunities within the department. (EF)
FINANCE - 20 %
- Schedules patients efficiently to maximize utilization of time and equipment. (EF)
- Maintains accurate and complete documentation of patient procedures performed in a timely manner in the patient record. Enters appropriate charges for services provided. (EF)
- Uses resources efficiently; self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks to meet labor productivity standards. (EF)
GROWTH/INNOVATION - 20 %
- Participates in departmental programs, projects and activities such as: staff development, expansion of services and hospital committees.
- Fosters a positive and constructive teaching environment by engaging students and co-workers in learning opportunities that are valuable and in alignment with business objectives.
- Seeks opportunities to expand learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual development as an Occupational Therapist Assistant and of leadership skills.
This job description is not intended to be all inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.
EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
- Graduate of education program approved by the credentialing body for the required credential(s) indicated below in the Certificates, Licenses and Registrations section.
EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
- 2 years of experience as an Occupational Therapist Assistant preferred; may consider new graduate or entry level Occupational Therapist Assistant.
