Occupational Therapist

POSITION TITLE: Occupational Therapist

DEPARTMENT: Rehab Therapy

EMPLOYEE REPORTS TO: Director of Rehabilitation Services/Rehab Supervisor

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Full-time, Tuesday - Saturday 8:30a-5:30p

DESCRIPTION OF POSITION

This job description is a record of the essential functions of the listed job. The job description provides the employee, CEO, Human Resources, applicants, and other agencies with a clear

understanding of the job, where it fits into the organization, and the skill and work requirements in

relation to other jobs. Jobs are always changing to some degree and the existence of the approved

job description is not intended to limit normal change and growth. The facility will make reasonable

accommodations to otherwise qualified individuals who are capable of performing the essential

functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.

POPULATION SERVED

The position involves direct patient care for a population of patients between the ages of

18 and older. Age specific experience and/or special training and/or expertise is required

to serve this population.

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Director of Rehabilitation Therapy Services and/or Rehab Supervisor, the Occupational Therapist plans, organizes, develops, administers, directs,

and supervises Occupational Therapy treatment in accordance with current applicable

federal, state, and local standards, regulations and guidelines. The individual in this

position must have initiative and be innovative, and must possess a sense of responsibility,

integrity and sound judgment, follow standards of proper conduct, and abide by facility

policies and standards of care. This position does provide direct patient care to, adult and

geriatric patients, including comprehensive assessment, treatment planning and provision

of therapy. The Occupational Therapist contributes to program development, quality

improvement, program assessment, and departmental policy and procedure development.

 DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Evaluates patient's functional status (muscle function, endurance, visual coordination, written and verbal communication skills, self-care ability, work capacity, etc.). Evaluates home environment for hazards or barriers to more independent living. Identifies equipment needs. Participates in the development of the individualized plan of care.
• Develops treatment program and establishes goals for improved function.
• Communicates plan of care to referring physician and other organization professionals. Also, as necessary, will develop program for caregiver's energy conservation.
• May teach new skills or retrain patient in once familiar daily activities that have lost due to illness or injury, in accordance with organization policy.
• May fabricate splints and instruct patient in the use of various types of adaptive equipment to improve function.
• May train patient and family/caregiver in the use of prosthetic and/or orthotic devices.
• Maintains appropriate clinical records, progress notes, and reports to the physician any changes in the patient's condition. Submits these records in accordance with organization policy.
• Maintains contact/communication with team members in the patient's care to promote coordinated, efficient care.
• Attends and contributes to in-services, interdisciplinary group meetings, and other meetings as required by organization policy to ensure comprehensive assessments for the patients of the organization.
• Instructs and educates patient's/family/caregiver and other team members in patient's treatment regime.
• Participates in hospice personnel orientation program.
•  Actively participates in quality assessment performance improvement teams and activities.
•  Participates in discharge planning for patient.

Education, Training and Licenses Required: 

Certified by the National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) and licensed by the State of California (Business and Professions Code 2570-2570.32). BLS required. Advanced specialty practice areas of hand therapy and dysphagia require additional certification.

Experience required: 

Two years of experience as an Occupational Therapist in one of the following settings: acute hospital, skilled nursing facility and/or outpatient clinic. 

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities Required: 

Thorough command of accepted Occupational Therapy evaluation and treatment techniques; good documentation, communication, organizational and problem-solving skills. Ability to interact effectively with patients of all ages and developmental stages. 

Equipment Knowledge Required: 

The Occupational Therapist will demonstrate competency in theory and practical use of diagnostic evaluation tools to assess activities of daily living, cognitive skills, neuromuscular and visual perceptual abilities to plan appropriate treatment.