Occupational Therapist PER-DIEM

JOB SUMMARY:

Treats residents who have been referred to occupational therapy by the resident’s physician on written order.  Identifies residents by diagnosis or observation or staff referral who may benefit from therapy and requests orders for evaluation and treatment.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. Reviews referrals for occupational therapy and physician’s orders; performs evaluations, sets goals, devises treatment plans, and implements treatments based on diagnosis, resident'’ condition and rehabilitative prognosis.  Makes recommendations, sends progress notes, and consults with the physician, as necessary.

1. Maintains proper documentation in medical record including evaluations, progress notes, discharge summaries, and treatment logs.  Provides information for care planning, MDS, and quality assurance.

1. Supervises occupational therapist assistants concerning the carrying out of treatment programs. 

1. Communicates with interdisciplinary team regarding patient care and consults with families as needed.  Acts as an occupational therapy consultant to all departments providing in-services as necessary.

1. Uses effective communication techniques within rehabilitation department and inter-departmentally to maximize team building.

1. Maintains 85% productivity. 

1. Other duties as assigned by supervisor. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed in a clinical rehabilitation department setting and in patient rooms where contact with staff, physicians, residents’ families and the public is required.  Requires walking up to 95% of the workday.  Must be capable of pushing, pulling, and moving up to 50 pounds or more.  Finger dexterity is required with eye-hand coordination.  Vision and hearing corrected to normal range.

QUALIFICATION:

Work requires the knowledge of occupational therapy normally acquired through an accredited University for occupational therapy.  New York State license to practice occupational therapy.  Must possess skills to effectively acquire pertinent information from patients’ charts and the patients to evaluate, implement procedures and document the effects of treatment.  Interpersonal skills necessary to communicate accurately and precisely to patients and family members any instructions, which may be necessary in the completion of a treatment program.  Must be able to identify changes in patient conditions and be able to communicate those changes to the appropriate staff member.