Occupational Therapist (OT) - Outpatient (Days)

**Position: Occupational Therapist I**

**Role Overview

• *
• The Occupational Therapist I position encompasses the delegation of responsibilities to Occupational Therapist Assistants and Aides. This role is inherently patient-centered, involving comprehensive assessment, strategic planning, targeted intervention, and meticulous evaluation, all conducted in alignment with occupational therapy standards, physician directives, and institutional policies.

**Service Areas

• *
• Primarily focused on outpatient therapy, with occasional responsibilities in acute care settings.

**Essential

Duties and Responsibilities

• *
• Conduct comprehensive evaluations of patients’ functional capabilities through both formal and informal assessment tools to establish a baseline for skeletal, neurological, respiratory, cardiovascular, developmental, social, and cognitive functions.
• Formulate a tailored treatment regimen based on evaluative data and the patient's ability to adhere to prescribed therapies.
• Prepare and submit a detailed written treatment protocol integrated into the overall treatment plan, sanctioned by the supervising physician; revise this plan as necessitated by changes in patient condition and co-sign verbal instructions relayed to occupational therapist assistants when appropriate.
• Develop a patient-centric treatment schedule, specifying frequency and duration, and discuss this plan with patients, families, and caregivers while ensuring alignment with clinical support staff.
• Provide education to patients, families, and caregivers regarding their condition, potential treatment options, prognosis, and the rationale behind intervention strategies, utilizing modalities such as rest, exercise, and other therapeutic techniques. '
• Supervise Occupational Therapist Assistants, Home Health Aides, and students in accordance with affiliate and regulatory guidelines.

**Additional Responsibilities

• *
• Recommend and facilitate the acquisition of adaptive and supportive equipment based on assessment findings; coordinate with relevant suppliers to ensure timely procurement for patient use.
• Document patient, family, and caregiver responses to interventions and monitor changes in patient status in compliance with affiliate documentation policies and regulatory requirements.

**Job Description

• *
• Maintain accurate daily documentation necessary for billing as per affiliate protocols and regulatory standards.
• Deliver treatment interventions proficiently, aimed at optimizing patient functionality within the specific domain of care.
• Educate patients, families, and caregivers on home exercise programs, employing effective pedagogical techniques.
• Ensure clear and effective communication with both internal and external stakeholders to enhance the quality of care, including collaboration with interdisciplinary teams.
• Promote professional education and development among colleagues, students, and healthcare professionals through relevant training methodologies.
• Engage in continuous process improvement initiatives.
• Contribute to program development efforts.
• Participate actively in team conferences and interdisciplinary discussions as required.
• Advocate for occupational therapy through community education initiatives.
• Assume case management responsibilities for designated cases.
• Exhibit a strong commitment to the affiliate's mission by demonstrating excellence in customer service, quality care, and teamwork.
• Uphold patient confidentiality and safeguard affiliate information.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

**Certifications and Licenses

• *
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required within one month of hire or transfer.
• National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification.
• Licensed Occupational Therapist (OTR).

**Educational Requirements

• *
• Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy.

**Experience, Training, and Skills

• *
• A minimum of one year of experience is preferred; new graduates may be considered.
• Successful completion of orientation specific to the affiliate and proficiency in new hire competencies.
• Strong interpersonal skills for effective verbal and written communication within diverse groups and at all levels.
• Capable of working autonomously while demonstrating problem-solving, organizational skills, time management, and initiative.
• Compliance with Mandatory Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) training annually following the Exposure Control Plan.
• Preparedness to operate in environments with potential exposure to communicable diseases and proficient in the use of personal protective equipment.
• Ability to fulfill essential job functions with reasonable accommodations.
• Competence in demonstrating and instructing selected treatment modalities to both professional and lay individuals.
• AOTA membership is preferred.