Occupational Therapist

Job Summary

Responsible for the evaluation, planning, directing and administering of occupational therapy modalities of treatment as prescribed by a licensed physician in an effort to restore function and prevent disability following injury, disease or physical disability. Helps patients not only to improve their basic motor functions and reasoning abilities, but also to compensate for permanent loss of function; help patients to have independent, productive and satisfying lives. Provides input in formulating budget, assists in evaluating department performance versus budget controls and takes appropriate action to remain in budget guidelines. The Occupational Therapist participates in operational aspects of the department, maintains performance improvement activities within the department and participates in CQI activities.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Knowledge of physical medicine, physical therapy modalities, anatomy and physiology.
• Knowledge of physical and occupational therapy machine operation, maintenance and repairs of same.
• Coordinates, delegates and supervises responsibilities assigned to supportive staff (Occupational Therapy Assistants, Occupational Therapy Aides, etc.).
• Performs an appropriate assessment on each patient, as related to the therapy requested and provided and reassessments, as per policy. This includes neonate, pediatric, adolescent and geriatric patients and the general patient population.
• Able to assess patient pain interfering with optimal level of function or participation in rehabilitation; makes appropriate physician contact for intervention.
• Formulates a teaching plan based on identified learning needs and evaluates effectiveness of learning; family is included in teaching, as appropriate.
• Demonstrates knowledge and proficiency of occupational therapy modalities.
• Observes and evaluates treatment effect. Recommends change to physician, if needed.
• Recommends changes in patients' work or living environments, consistent with their needs and capabilities.
• Helps patients improve decision making, abstract reasoning, memory, sequencing, coordination and perceptual skills, using computer programs.

Regulatory Requirements

• A master's degree or higher in occupational therapy.