Occupational Therapist (Acute Inpatient)

Occupational Therapist (Acute Inpatient) at Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration in Boise, Idaho, United States Job Description Summary This position is in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS), Boise VA Medical Center, Boise, ID. The Inpatient (IP) Occupational Therapist (OT) provides rehabilitative services to persons with physical, cognitive, psychosocial, and behavioral impairments. This full-performance-level OT independently evaluates, treats, develops plans of care, and manages patients utilizing current professional knowledge, critical analysis, clinical reasoning and creativity. Responsibilities Duties : 1. Independently performs evaluations of patients' functional abilities by administering a variety of contemporary standardized and non-standardized tests to determine Occupational Therapy needs. Primary evaluation instruments and / or procedures include, but are not limited to cognitive assessments, strength and motion measurements, activities of daily living evaluations, observation, interview and review of medical histories. 2. Modifies evaluation tools as necessary based on specific patient characteristics. 3. Interprets evaluation findings to develop an effective and individualized care plan that is appropriate and indicated for the impairments being treated. 4. Collaborates with the patient, caregiver, family members, and interdisciplinary professionals to develop the care plan, including short- and long-term goals. 5. Develops functional goals that are objective, measurable, and achievable within realistic time frames. 6. Recognizes contraindications, precautions, and appropriateness of treatment prescribed by referring provider. 7. Identifies the need for and ensures collaboration among other healthcare professionals across the continuum of care. 8. Effectively collaborates with patients, family members, caregivers, and other professionals utilizing verbal, nonverbal, and written communication. 9. Develops and carries out a full range of Occupational Therapy treatments using a wide variety of evidence-based treatment techniques and modalities. These treatments may include but are not limited to strengthening and range of motion exercises; self-care training; application of adaptive equipment and splints; patient and family education regarding disability; cognitive re-training and wheelchair mobility. 10. Procures, fabricates, adjusts, adapts, and modifies orthoses, splints, adaptive equipment, and home safety equipment in accordance with the treatment plan. Trains the patient and / or caregiver in use and care of the device. Observes the patient as he uses the device to ensure proper use. 11. Monitors response to interventions and uses advanced professional judgement to modify treatment plans based on changing medical conditions or as necessitated by patient complexity. 12. Utilizes population-specific (including age, gender, and period of military service) competencies to deliver individualized care. 13. Conducts assessments and patient care by considering how individual patient characteristics affect the patient's ability to understand instructions, provide effective self-assessment, and participate safely and effectively in the treatment program. 14. Thoroughly documents patient status and progress, therapy plan and patient response to treatment using both verbal and written means of communication. Documents in the medical record the initial evaluation, treatment plan, progress notes, and discharge notes in a manner that meets professional, facility, and Joint Commission standards. 15. Actively participates in department and program meetings and makes alternate arrangements when unable to attend. 16. Participates in care planning and discharge meetings. Performs this duty by attending meeting, reporting on the patient's status, and contributing to treatment planning. 17. Collects and reports functional outcomes. Performs this duty by administering the appropriate functional scale at admission, discharge, and necessary intervals. Document the score obtained from the functional scale in necessary documentation. Submits the score for entry into the database. 18. Takes responsibility for remaining current of departmental initiatives and functions. Performs this by reading (and responding as directed) to interdepartmental and intradepartmental communications. 19. Participates in studies of patient access, clinic utilization, performance monitors as directed. Works to improve these areas as directed. Performs this duty to ensure continuous improvement in patient care, utilization, and T JC readiness. Performs this duty by receiving feedback from supervisors and implementing recommended actions. Performs this duty by collecting data as directed by supervisors, being aware of performance within these performance monitors, and making changes in patient evaluation, treatment, and documentation as directed by supervisor. 20. Serves within candidate pool to participate in clinical education. If selected as a Clinical Instructor, completes all intake and exit procedures as outlined by Education Service and the PM&RS Coordinator for Clinical Education. Uses a system of graduated responsibility in assigning duties to the student. Completes all requirements of the affiliating institution. Work Schedule : Monday to Friday, 7 : 30am to 4 : 00pm Telework : Not Available Virtual : This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement # : 60755-F Relocation / Recruitment Incentives : Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS) : Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12 / 31 / 1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background / security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See 'Additional Information' below for details. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit e-verify.gov Qualifications Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification / licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements : Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7407(a)). Education and / or Experience. (1) The individual must meet at least one of the following requirements below : (a) Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy and two (2) years of experience as an occupational therapist; NOTE : The baccalaureate degree must be from an approved program prior to the AOTA January 1, 2005 decision that the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) would only accredit master or doctoral degree programs in occupational therapy. or (b) Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy and two (2) full years of graduate education in a related field; or Master's Degree or higher in occupational therapy. Individuals must be a graduate of] a degree program in occupational therapy approved by the ACOTE or predecessor organizations. This is inclusive of an internship (supervised fieldwork experience required by t To view full details and how to apply, please login or create a Job Seeker account