Occupational Therapist

Description

As a Hospice Occupational Therapist, your primary role is to provide specialized occupational therapy services to patients who are receiving hospice care. Your job is help improve the quality of life and promote independence for individuals facing terminal illnesses or end-life stages. The Occupational Therapist optimizes patient's function, alleviates pain, and prevents disabilities by planning and administering medically prescribed Occupational Therapy. Occupational therapy practitioners use a client-centered approach to evaluate of the needs of the client in his or her occupational roles (e.g., parent, spouse, and worker), identify current and potential abilities, and determine barriers to engaging in occupations, including activities of daily living, instrumental ADLs, rest and sleep, leisure, and social participation. They also help prevent contractures and maintain joint integrity with stretching routines or splints that do not interfere with daily activities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

• Conduct thorough assessments of patients' physical, cognitive, emotional, and functional abilities to determine their needs and develop appropriate treatment plans.
• Develop individualized treatment  plans based on the assessment findings, patient goals, and  interdisciplinary team input. Collaborate with other healthcare  professionals, including physicians, nurses, social workers, and  chaplains, to ensure holistic care.
• Provide direct occupational  therapy interventions to address patients' physical, cognitive, psychosocial, and spiritual needs. This may include therapeutic exercises,      adaptive equipment training, energy conservation techniques, pain  management strategies, and activities of daily living (ADL) training.
• Incorporate principles of  palliative care into your practice, focusing on symptom management, pain relief, comfort measures, and enhancing the overall quality of life for      patients and their families.
• Offer emotional support and counseling to patients and their families, helping them cope with the challenges and emotional distress associated with end-of-life care.
• Educate and train caregivers on  safe and effective techniques assist patients with ADLs, transfers, and  mobility. Provide guidance on caregiver self-care and stress management.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of patient evaluations, progress notes, treatment plans, and  outcomes. Communicate effectively with the interdisciplinary team through  written reports and verbal updates.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Participate actively in interdisciplinary team meetings, contributing your expertise and collaborating with other healthcare professionals to ensure  coordinated and comprehensive care for patients.
• Stays up to date with current  research, evidence-based practices, and advancements in hospice care and  occupational therapy. Attend relevant conferences, workshops, and  continuing education programs to enhance your knowledge and skills.
• Adhere to legal, ethical, and  professional standards of practice, including maintaining patient      confidentiality, respecting cultural diversity, and following  organizational policies and procedures.
• Participate in quality improvement  initiatives, contributing to the development and implementation of best practices in hospice occupational therapy.

COMPETENCIES:

• Computer competency and evidence of effective communication skills, using verbal, written and telephonic means
• Ability to make decisions regarding priority of work
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to effectively interact with patients, families, and interdisciplinary team      members.
• Ability to verbalize different tasks in the best way possible to help our patients
• Compassion, empathy, and sensitivity to the  unique needs of individuals facing end-of-life care.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. 

• Physical agility with repetitive occurrence including but not limited to: walking, running, bending, stooping, climbing stairs, and ladders, kneeling, crouching, crawling, balancing, reaching, standing, sitting, and twisting.
• Lifting greater than 30 pounds repeatedly throughout the workday. 
• Valid driver's license with reliable transportation and required auto liability insurance.

PREFERRED EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited program.
• Current NYS license to practice as an Occupational Therapist
• Minimum Two years of Occupational Therapy  experience.