Occupational Therapist - Per Diem

Description

Purpose of Your Job Position

The primary purpose of your job position is to plan, organize, develop, and direct Occupational Therapy Services in accordance with current applicable federal, state and local standards, guidelines and regulations, and as may be directed by the Administrator, to assure that the highest degree of quality resident care can be maintained at all times.

 

Delegation of Authority

As the Occupational Therapist you are delegated the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability for carrying out your assigned duties.

 

Job Functions

Every effort has been made to make your job description as complete as possible.  However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or is a logical assignment to the position.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

Administrative Functions    

Plan, develop, organize, implement, evaluate, and direct occupational therapy, as well as its programs and activities, in accordance with current rules, regulations, and guidelines that govern the long-term care facility.    
 

Meet with administration, medical and nursing staff, as well as other related departments in planning therapy services.    
 

Develop and maintain occupational therapy standards.    
 

Assist the Quality Assessment & Assurance Committee in developing and implementing appropriate plans of action to correct identified deficiencies.    
 

Interpret occupational therapy policies and procedures to personnel, residents, family members, etc., as necessary.    
 

Review occupational therapy policies, procedures, manuals, job descriptions, etc., at least annually, and participate in making recommended changes.    
 

Participate in discharge planning, development and implementation of resident care plans, resident assessments, etc., as necessary.    
 

Perform administrative duties such as completing medical forms, reports, evaluations, studies, charting, etc., as necessary.    
 

Maintain a current file of residents treated.    

Work with the facility's consultants as necessary and implement recommended changes as required.    
 

Maintain treatment records, residents files, and progress notes as required.    
 

Ensure business office receives charges for therapy rendered to residents.    
 

Assist in standardizing the methods in which occupational therapy will be accomplished.    
 

Maintain an adequate liaison with families and residents.    
 

Maintain a reference library of written therapy material, laws, etc., necessary for complying with current standards and regulations, and that will provide assistance in maintaining quality resident care.    
 

Assist the Quality Assessment and Assurance Coordinator in developing, implementing, and maintaining an ongoing quality assurance program for occupational therapy services.    

Make written and oral reports/recommendations to the Department Head, as necessary/required, concerning the operation of the occupational therapy department.    
 

Assume the authority, responsibility and accountability of directing the occupational therapy service.    
 

Others as deemed necessary and appropriate, or as may be directed by the administrator.    
 

    

Committee Functions    

Serve on, participate in, and/or attend various committees of the facility as required.    
 

Provide written and/or oral reports of the occupational therapy programs and activities as required.    
 

Evaluate and implement recommendations from established committees as they may pertain to occupational therapy services.    
 

    

Personnel Functions    

Determine the staffing needs of the occupational therapy department necessary to meet the needs of the residents, upon the absence of the supervisor.    
 

Provide guidance and training for new and/or less experience personnel.    
 

Maintain an excellent working relationship with the medical profession and other health related facilities and organizations.    
 

Create and maintain an atmosphere with the medical profession and other health related facilities and organization.    
 

Create and maintain an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest and positive emphasis, as well as a calm environment throughout the department.    
 

Meet with and solicit advice from other department supervisors concerning occupational therapy, assist in identify and correcting problem areas, and/or the improvement of services.    
 

    

Nursing Care and Consultation Functions    

Review request for occupational therapy and physician's orders.    
 

Interview resident to determine type of treatment and schedule therapy.    
 

Select rehabilitative and therapeutic activities and exercises based on medical and social history of residents.    
 

Evaluate type of therapy most desirable after consulting with physician.    
 

Assist residents in functional mobility training as necessary.    
 

Demonstrate to residents and staff personnel, as necessary, the procedures involved in the treatment process.    
 

Recommend modifications and changes in the resident's therapy treatment as indicated.    
 

Assist in transporting resident to and from occupational therapy room/area.    
 

Perform occupational therapy in resident's room as necessary.    
 

Instruct and supervise resident during therapy.    
 

Brief resident of procedures involved in occupational therapy and prepare necessary equipment.    
 

Prepare resident for treatment by dress/position and administer occupational therapy in accordance with established policies and procedures.    
 

Reassure resident before and during therapy treatment.    
 

Assure that all therapist notes are informative and descriptive of the care provided and of the resident's response to the care.    
 

Participate in the development and implementation of resident assessments (MDS) and care plans, including quarterly reviews.    
 

Instruct and supervise certified Occupational Therapy Assistant(s)_ as stated, in the state and federal regulations.    
 

    

Staff Development     

Develop and participate in programs designed for in-service education, on the job training and orientation classes for newly assigned personnel.  (Includes maintaining appropriate recordkeeping requirements of when classes were held, subject matter, attendance, etc.)    
 

Develop, implement, and maintain an effective orientation program that orients the new employee to the facility, its policies and procedures, and to his/her job position and duties.    
 

Participate and assist in departmental studies and projects as assigned or that may become necessary.    
 

Attend and participate in workshops, seminars, etc., to keep abreast of current changes in the health care field, as well as to maintain a professional status.    
 

    

Safety and Sanitation    

Assist in developing safety standards for the occupational therapy department.    
 

Assure that therapy personnel, residents visitors, etc., follow established department policies and procedures at all times, including appropriate dress codes.    
 

Be alert for resident safety during any/all therapy.    
 

Comply with established safety precautions at all times.    
 

Assist the Infection Control Coordinator in the development, implementation, and revising of written aseptic and isolation technique.    
 

Ensure that therapy personnel follow established infection control procedures and universal precautions when performing duties.    
 

Assure that the therapy area is maintained in a clean and safe manner for resident comfort and convenience by assuring that necessary equipment and supplies are maintained to perform such duties/services.    
 

Develop, implement, and maintain a procedure for reporting hazardous conditions or equipment.    
 

Assist in identifying and classifying departmental procedures that involve exposure to blood and body fluids.  Update as necessary.    
 

    

Equipment and Supply Functions    

Provide necessary material/equipment for resident to perform required therapy.    
 

Recommend to the Rehab Director the equipment and supply needs of the department.    
 

Develop and implement procedures for the safe operation of all occupational therapy equipment.    
 

Ensure that all personnel operate occupational therapy equipment in a safe manner.    
 

Develop and implement procedures that ensure occupational therapy supplies are used in an efficient manner to avoid waste.    
 

    

Care Plan and Assessment Functions    

Assist in developing occupational therapy plans for individual residents in coordination and conjunction with the resident assessment (MDS).    
 

Review the occupational therapy requirements of each resident admitted to the facility and assist the attending physician in planning for the resident's care.    

Assure that care plans indicate occupational therapy when such therapy is ordered.    
 

Participate in the development and implementation of care plans, including quarterly reviews.    

    

Resident Rights    

Maintain the confidentially of all resident care information.    
 

Ensure that all occupational therapy personnel are knowledgeable of the residents' rights and responsibilities.    
 

Ensure that resident's rights to fair and equitable treatment, self determination, individuality, privacy, property and civil rights, including the right to wage a complaint, are well established and maintained at all times.    
 

Abide by the resident's decision whether or not to participate in treatment.    
 

Inform the resident of consequences of not participating in prescribed therapy and document such action in the resident's clinical record.    
 

Allow the resident to participate in the planning and scheduling of his or her treatment.    

Working Conditions                                                            

Works in office areas, therapy rooms, resident rooms, etc.

Sits, stands, bends, lifts and moves intermittently during working hours.

Is subject to frequent interruptions.

Is involved with physicians, residents, personnel, visitors, government agencies/personnel, etc., under all conditions and circumstances.

Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, personnel and visitors.

Communicates with the medical staff, nursing personnel, and other department supervisors.

Works beyond normal working hours and on weekends and holidays when necessary, as well as in other positions as needed.

Must be constantly alert for resident safety.

Attends and participates in continuing educational programs as may be required by current regulations.

Is subject to falls, burns from equipment, odors, assaults from hostile residents, etc., throughout the work day.

Is subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc., including the AIDS and Hepatitis B  viruses.

Is subject to lifting, carrying and supporting residents.

Maintains a liaison with the residents, their families, other departments, etc., to adequately plan for the resident's occupational therapy needs.

Qualifications

Must be able to see and hear or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to assure that the requirements of this position can be fully met.

Must function independently and have flexibility, personnel integrity, ad the ability to work effectively with residents, personnel, support agencies, and outside agencies.

Must be in good general health and demonstrate emotional stability.

Must be able to relate to and work with the ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and, at times, hostile people within the facility.

Must be able to lift, push, and move a minimum of 50 pounds.

Must be able to assist in the evacuation of residents.

Must be willing to perform tasks that may involve exposure to the resident's blood/body fluids.