TITLE: Occupational Therapist

REPORTS TO: Director of Nurses

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Is a 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.
• Prefer one year of clinical experience as an occupational therapist.
• Has good oral and written communication skills; has good organizational skills.
• Demonstrates knowledge of appropriate skills for communicating with individual ages of those served, primarily the geriatric population.
• Demonstrates an ability to supervise and direct professional personnel.
• Has an ability to deal tactfully with the community.
• Must be a licensed driver with an automobile that is insured in accordance with state and/or Agency requirements and is in good working order.

SUMMARY OF JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

The qualified therapist assists the physician in evaluating level of function, helps develop the plan of care (revising it as necessary), prepares clinical and progress notes, advises and consults with the family and other agency personnel; and participates in in-service programs (COP §484.32). The occupational therapist contracted through the organization is responsible for the implementation of standards of care for occupational therapy services.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

• Provides skilled occupational therapy in accordance with the plan of treatment signed by the physician. Accepts only patient/clients referred by the Director of Nurses or designee.
• Assists the physician in the evaluation and assessment of the patient's/client's level of functioning (muscle function, endurance, visual coordination, written and verbal communication skills, self care ability, work capacity, etc.) by applying diagnostic and prognostic procedures and tests. Evaluates home environment for hazards or barriers to more independent living. Identifies equipment needs. Participates in the development (and revision as necessary) of the total plan of care.
• For patients/clients 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.
• Develops treatment program and establishes goals for improved function. Treats the patient/client through the use of therapeutic activities designed to restore function and self care activities for the purpose of improving function. Communicates plan of care to referring physician and other organization professionals. Plans for patient/client discharge from services.
• May teach new skills or retrain patient/client in once familiar daily activities that have been lost due to illness or injury, in accordance with organization policy. Instructs and advises patient/client, family, and other health team personnel in certain exercise programs for strengthening and controlling the upper extremities.
• Orders, designs and/or fabricates splints and adaptive/assistive devices and equipment and instructs patient/client in the use of various types of adaptive equipment to improve function.
• May train patient/client in the use of prosthetic and/or orthotic devices. Demonstrates and teaches alternate techniques to complete ADL's, proper transfers, and positioning.
• Observes, records, and reports and reports to the physician and/or Director of Nurses and RN Case Manager the patient/clients reaction to treatment and any changes in the patient's/client's condition. Documentation reflects communication. Submits these records in accordance with organization policy.
• Coordinates the total plan of care and maintains continuity of patient/client care by liaison with other health professionals. Participates in coordination of services. Initiates coordination of services for complex and/or multidisciplinary patient/clients whenever needed or helpful to ensure good coordination of care.
• Identifies patient/client needs for other home health services and refers as appropriate.
• Instructs patient's/client's family/caregiver and other organization health care personnel in patient's/client's treatment regime when indicated and appropriate. Cooperates with appropriate staff to provide staff education when requested and arranged by the Director of Nurses.
• May supervise home health aide at least every 14 days, teaches Aide in duties of patient/client care as needed, assesses patient/client's need for unskilled care and revises plan of care as appropriate. Communicates Plan of Care changes to patient/client and Director of Nurses /RN Case Manager as often as necessary. Communicates changes in Plan of Care to Aide as appropriate.
• Teaches OTA/COTA in duties, procedures directly related to the speech-language therapy plan of care as needed, assesses patient’s/client's need for unskilled care and revises plan of care as appropriate. Communicates Plan of Care changes to patient/client and Director of Nurses /RN Case Manager as often as necessary. Communicates changes in Plan of Care to OTA/COTA as appropriate.
• Develops, prepares, and maintains individualized patient/client care progress records with accuracy, timeliness and according to policies. Submits accurate documentation.
• Responsible for following all policies and procedures of the Agency, regarding service delivery, documentation, and care coordination.
• Responsible for keeping current in therapy trends and knowledge. Participates in In-service programs.
• Participates in Quality Improvement program of the agency. Can verbalize own responsibilities and activities.
• In ACHC Accredited offices, supervises OTA/COTA in at least every 30 days,

The above statements are only meant to be a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. The incumbents may be requested to perform job related tasks other than those stated in this description.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Community and home environment.
• Exposure to infectious diseases.
• In and out of automobile.
• This position has been designated Class I Field clinical staff (see Infection/Exposure Control Plan). Employees performing Class I Field clinical staff duties may be involved in potential exposure to blood borne pathogens and other potentially infectious materials. All Class I Field clinical staff employees will be offered Hepatitis B vaccination at no expense to the employee.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Visual/hearing ability sufficient to comprehend written/verbal communication.
• Ability to perform tasks involving physical activity, which may include heavy lifting and extensive bending and standing.
• Ability to deal effectively with stress.

CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Must meet the required continuing education hours for state certification as a nurse in Texas as applicable. Agency personnel are expected to participate in appropriate continuing education as may be requested and/or required by their immediate supervisor. In addition, agency personnel are expected to accept personal responsibility for other educational activities to enhance job related skills and abilities. All agency personnel must attend mandatory educational programs.

Our agency is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age or disability in employment or the provision of services.