Occupational Therapist (SNF)

Job Title Code: OT

FLSA: Nonexempt

Position Purpose

The Occupational Therapist will provide diagnostic evaluations and treatment to assigned patients, and help patients reach maximum performance level and to use skills learned to the fullest to function in the community within the limits of their capabilities.

Supervisory Responsibility: None – May direct the work of Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants

Budget Responsibility: None

Essential Job Functions – Principal Accountabilities

• Provides consultation in areas such as environmental design, adaptive equipment, proper positioning of patients to prevent contractures and splinting. Administers and writes evaluations of assigned patients in accordance with departmental standards and procedures.
• Maintains timely and accurate patient records and reports.
• Designs and administers treatment programs to increase patients' levels of functioning. Uses therapeutic exercises and activities to improve or maintain strength, range of motion, and fine-motor coordination. Instructs patients in adapted techniques and the use of adaptive equipment for meal preparation, home management, dressing, feeding, and other self-care skills. Trains patients in the use of upper-extremity prosthetic devices to resume previous daily routines. Participates in home assessments.
• Provides therapy for neurological integration; administers sensor-motor integration treatment techniques and visual perceptual-motor remediation programs. Uses activities to increase developmental levels of patients. Designs and provides individualized therapy for adult learning-disabled patients.
• Designs and fabricates splints as specified by doctors' prescriptions; designs and/or fabricates slings and adaptive equipment to meet the needs of patients and/or their families.
• Administers treatment programs to traumatic brain-injured patients. Uses activities to improve judgment skills, reality orientation, and organizational skills.
• Provides prevention therapy to maintain functional skills; instructs patients in energy conservation, joint protection, safety techniques for sensory loss, and transferring and visual field deficits; instructs patients' families in personal care for patients, especially proper transfer techniques to avoid back strain.
• Administers prevocational programs to prepare patients to return to or enter a work setting. Provides activities to assess patients' organizational skills, attention spans, cognitive abilities, coordination (fine and gross-motor), and adaptive-equipment needs.
• Designs home programs and instructs patients or families in carrying out such programs.
• Participates in patient support groups with other team members.
  

Other Job Functions

• Performs other duties as assigned.
  

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions.
• Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities.
• Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local regulations
• Knowledge of therapy methods and procedures
• Oral and written communication skills
• Critical thinking and complex problem solving skills
• Customer service skills
• Must display professionalism, initiative, positive attitude, and concern for others
• Must be stress tolerant, self-motivated, cooperative, team-oriented, and dependable.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software
  

Physical Demands/Environment:

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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Stand, traverse, ascend/descend stairs, move/transport residents weighing over 100 pounds, transport tools/equipment, grasp and manipulate tools/equipment to set up. Occasionally move equipment weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Move resident as necessary, stretch, bend, stoop, squat, twist, crouch, kneel, and balance to properly position resident for therapy/exercise.
• Visually observe resident movement and placement.
• Detect alarms/messages.
• Operate computer, read, remain in a stationary position, converse with others.
• Legibly complete forms; perform data entry of information. Remain in a stationary position for extended periods.
• Converse with others, write legibly, read and comprehend written/verbal information. Communicate instructions or demonstrate tasks.
• Lift and carry up to 35 pounds frequently; up to 75 pounds occasionally.
• Stand and walk frequently, sit for extended periods; simple grasp; fine hand manipulation; near vision; far vision; hear conversation; speak
   

Minimum Requirements

Education: Graduate of an American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) approved physical therapy program.  

Experience: 6 months of supervised fieldwork experience at a recognized educational institution or a training program approved by the education institution where candidate met the academic requirements.

Certification/License: Florida Occupational Therapist (OT) license in good standing is required. Candidates are required to attain and maintain CPR certification within 90 days after hire. State background check standards must be maintained as a condition of continued employment.