Occupational Therapist

About LIFE Pittsburgh

LIFE Pittsburgh, a growing nonprofit organization who believes everyone deserves the opportunity to age with dignity, autonomy and joy. With approximately 400 employees, we provide a community-based alternative to nursing home care and assisted living. Through the LIFE Pittsburgh program, frail older adults can remain in their own home and receive a coordinated plan of care that enables them to maintain their independence and enjoy a safe and active life in the community. LIFE Pittsburgh is a proud provider of the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), a nationally recognized model. Our health teams of geriatric physicians and nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers, rehabilitation specialists and other health care professionals assess our Participants' needs and desires, plan and approve services with them and their family or caregiver, monitor for changes and provide timely interventions. Primary care and community services are provided through our Day Health Centers and through our in-home program according to an individual Participant's needs, honoring the dignity of every participant we serve.

What We Offer

· Rich Benefits Package including Medical, Dental, and Vision

· 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan - with Company Match, fully vested immediately

· Life Insurance – with the opportunity of Spouse and Child Life Insurance!

· Want to further your education? We offer Tuition Reimbursement!

· Paid Time Off – Grows every pay period and rolls over into new year!

· Up to 9 paid holidays!

· STD, LTD and an Employee Assistance Program

· Access to the Greater Pittsburgh Credit Union

· AND MORE!

Occupational Therapist

At LIFE Pittsburgh, our goal is simple: help older adults stay where they feel safest and happiest—at home. As an Occupational Therapist, you’ll support that mission by helping Participants regain and maintain the mobility and independence that make daily life possible.

This isn’t abstract work. You’ll see the impact of your support every day, whether it’s helping someone recover from a fall or giving them the confidence to walk across their living room without fear.

Essential Functions:

LIFE Pittsburgh which is to support the elderly in maintaining their dignity and independence in the community

· Demonstrates the ability to assess pre-enrollment candidates as to the appropriateness of community-based living within a PACE Program, specifically identifying necessary home safety modifications, exterior access issues, needed durable medical equipment, requires PCA services to promote safe home living, skilled therapy needs (i.e., ADL and IADL retraining, strengthening), and needed Participant and caregiver on going training/education needs (mobility, safety and disease trainings).

·  Proactively identifies physiological/psychological changes (i.e., strength, mobility, ADL status, range of motion, and cognition) in Participants through appropriate on-going assessments, IDT team discussion and collaboration and on-going care planning according to regulatory requirements and as Participants conditions change. Implements interventions and strategies to address and impact these changes for highest functioning possible (family education, team education, therapy treatments, etc.).

· Demonstrates the ability to monitor and assess current enrollees to ensure highest level of function and independence in community living setting by identifying skilled or restorative therapy needs (ADL retraining, adaptive equipment needs, DME needs, pain management, IADL retraining, and caregiver training / education, home, and in-center restorative programs) through bi-annual, annual, and as needed evaluations and assessment. Includes participant and family in development of goals and interventions

· Instructs family caregivers and caregivers from LP and home health agencies for therapeutic continuity. Ensures follow up and monitoring occurs for optimal success and relationship building. This includes training on mobility techniques, disease presentation and progression, home exercise programs, home modifications, safety recommendations and Participant progress.

· Demonstrates strong clinical reasoning, clinical deduction, and problem solving in order to promote Participant self-actualization, community living and aging in place. Coordinates with the Interdisciplinary Team to develop a comprehensive care plan for each Participant with a focus on restoring function and independence before adapting to presented deficits.

· Ensures detailed and thorough documentation, per protocols in place, to include objective assessment information in a clear, concise way. Plan of care and goals are deficit specific and measurable. Progress notes clearly describe assessment findings, treatment progress, and communications with caregivers.

· Stays current on new assessment and treatment protocols according to industry standards to properly assess and treat the geriatric population with physical and mental disabilities. Utilizes clinical research skills to investigate areas outside typical skill set familiarity and applies them to clinical treatment.

· Demonstrates the ability to adjust communication style effectively to ensure clear and positive exchange of information that promotes and supports cohesiveness, information sharing, collaboration, and consensus. Communicates with caregivers and Participants on a regular and ongoing basis to build rapport and explain functional performance.

· Demonstrates the ability to appropriately assess and treat various geriatric functional areas including, but not limited to, self-care skills, bed mobility, hygiene, grooming, dressing, driver screens, power wheelchair assessment and use, wheelchair positioning, feeding/eating, pressure relief, edema control, perceptual-motor deficits, upper extremity and facial weakness, sensory deficits, and cognitive limitations. Utilizes their objective assessment findings to clearly present recommendations of needed interventions, treatments, and equipment to IDT.

· Provides services promptly, exercises tact, patience, and courtesy always and conducts themselves in a professional manner with Participants, families, co-workers, and any external contacts. As a representation of LIFE Pittsburgh, promotes goodwill and confidence in our Participants, staff, vendors, visitors, and the general public.

· Proactively maintains requirements for the position (e.g., access of a vehicle, valid driver’s license and auto insurance, annual TB, bi-annual physical, etc.) and maintains compliance with educational requirements (e.g., Fire Safety, Infection Control, Annual Training, Safe Mobility).

Knowledge /Skills / Abilities

• Ability to obtain and interpret information in terms of the specific needs of the Participant.
• Ability to read and interpret a medical chart.
• Possesses knowledge of the Human Anatomy and development of the Participant served.
• Understands the range of treatment needed by the participant served.
• Well-developed organizational and interpersonal skills. Strong written and verbal communication skills are needed.
• Ability to accurately report observations.
• Must be able to relate well with seniors and their families to deal with sensitive issues and facilitate problem solving. 
• Must be flexible and able to change easily.
• Multicultural experience.
• Ability to supervise COTA, rehab aides and develop restorative programs.
   

Required Certification/License:

• Must be a graduate of an accredited Occupational Therapy Program; current/valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy License.
• Valid Driver’s license and automobile insurance
• Must have a vehicle for travel.

Compensation

Salary range: $65,000-$81,250 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

LIFE Pittsburgh also offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plan, paid time off, and professional development opportunities.