Occupational Therapist- Government contract

Description

Position Summary:

This position will support the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Critical Staffing Program. The Occupational Therapist (OT) to evaluate patients to identify challenges in performing daily activities and develop personalized treatment plans that promote independence and enhance quality of life. They use therapeutic techniques, adaptive equipment, and skills training to support individuals in achieving their personal and functional goals.

Site location: 

• St. Louis, MO & greater St. Louis, MO VA Facilities 

• Position will require routing locations at various VA Facilities in the St. Louis, MO and greater St. Louis, MO area.

Core Responsibilities:

• Conduct therapy assessments/evaluations, develop and implement therapeutic treatment plans to patients with patients with diagnosis included but not limited to orthopedics, neurologic, cardiovascular and pulmonary, geriatric, wound care/lymphedema, chronic pain.

• Perform occupational evaluations to include, not limited to formal Musculo-skeletal evaluation, general therapy screenings and prosthetic and adaptive equipment evaluation and assessment, aquatic therapy, wheelchair seating, pelvic health and positioning, home evaluations.

• Perform standardized neurological occupational therapy evaluations, activities of daily living evaluation, and adaptive equipment evaluation and assessment.

• Assess the patients physical, functional, psychosocial and emotional needs and use that information to develop a comprehensive and dynamic treatment plan which will enable each patient to achieve optimal levels of function in self-care, activities of daily living, work and leisure.

• Review paper and electronic records, note salient information, precautions, and contraindications.

• Confer with significant others and interdisciplinary team members.

• Oversee the direct patient care, selecting the most appropriate techniques to reach the established goals.

• Provide clear verbal and written communication of patient progress including documentation of baseline measurements and ongoing assessment data.

• Begin discharge planning at the time of admission and provide necessary home education programs and after care.

• Assists in scheduling of patients, according to OT treatment plan, while coordinating with the treatment team, with-in the facility.

• Maintain flexibility of schedule, to support unscheduled patients, team consultations, and/or unforeseen situations.

• Assess the patient prior to the development of treatment plans and goals.

• Implement plans in accordance with the initial evaluation findings for treatment aimed at prevention, reducing disability or pain, restoring lost function and increase participation.

• Monitor the extent to which services have met the therapeutic goals relative to the initial and all subsequent assessments at each visit.

• Determine the degree to which improvement occurs and, when appropriate, revises the treatment plan at each visit.

• Provide education to patients, families, and/or significant others regarding deficits incurred and interventions to reduce the existing deficit, and management of any residual deficit in the resumption of life roles in the home and community environment at each visit.

• Perform chart review prior to scheduled appointment and obtain a subjective history of patients assigned.

• Respects confidentiality and follows established policy regarding patient records.

• Re-evaluates and upgrades treatment plan at intervals determine by department policy within 24 hours of patients visit greater than 90% of the time.

• Document and code in electronic medical record an initial, progress, and final evaluation that includes measurable goals, goals achieved, treatment provided and functional outcomes using the department documentation policy guidelines.

• Documents patient education according to VA policy.

• Observes VA policies and procedures relating to infection control, Fire and Safety, Information Security, Patient Safety (mandatory training).

• Communicates, consults and works cooperatively with other team members to provide comprehensive patient care.

• Assists in the day-to-day operation of the department in routine housekeeping and equipment care.

• Consults with patients and their families regarding educating, training and advising them about their deficit/disability/disease. Teaches/issues home programs to improve/maintain achieved goals.

• Use computerized patient record system and other computerized data systems.

• Participates in team conferences, rounds, discharge planning meetings, specialty clinics, other assigned medical meetings, occupational therapy and in-services and meetings as directed.

• Consults with other occupational therapists, other therapists and medical personnel, patients, family and/or caregivers to maximize benefit of therapy program.

• Manages time for scheduling patients to allow for unforeseen incidents or interruptions in planned program. Is flexible in treatment program; easily adapts to share in over-all section treatment program, as needed, by assisting in coverage for absent staff members, to ensure continuity of quality patient care.

• Utilizes appropriate and qualified personnel as the situation indicates i.e., OT Aids, Rehab Techs, students, etc., or other persons with the appropriate expertise indicated for the task.

• Employs motivational techniques to enlist patient participation in their treatment program.

• Assessment for the presence of physical/mental/cognitive deficits.

• Determination of function related problems including rationale or basis for making the assessment.

• Development of Individual occupational therapy treatment plans.

• Use of data to implement individualized treatment program.

• Choice of therapy technique best suited to condition of patient to achieve maximum results.

• Assessment of therapeutic activities and adaptations needed for patient’s success.

Requirements

Qualifications:

• Possess a current, active, full, an unrestricted license or registration as an Occupational Therapist from any State, the District of Columbia, or a territory of the United States.

• Successful completion of the national examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy.

• Education and degrees shall be recognized by the American Occupational Therapy Association and National Board Certification for Occupational Therapy.

• Minimum of two years of hospital or ambulatory care experience.

• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification by the American Heart Association (AHA).

Physical Requirements:

• Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.

• Work involves sitting and standing for prolonged periods of time.

• May require bending, stooping and lifting up to 50 lbs.

Other Special Qualifications:

• Must be able to read, write, and speak English to effectively communicate.

• US Citizen or Permanent Resident Card is required.

• Pass/possess VA Public Trust Clearance.

This job is CONTINGENT upon contract award, client approval, completion of a favorable background investigation, and the ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust / High Risk clearance.

Valor Healthcare is an equal opportunity employer.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status