Occupational Therapist

Job Description Summary

The certified occupational therapy assistant provides occupational therapy services under the direction of the occupational therapist and according to the physician's plan of care.

Report to: Licensed Occupational Therapist and Director of Rehabilitation Services

Job Duties (include, but are not limited to the following):

Under the direct supervision of a licensed occupational therapist, assists in ongoing evaluation of the patient referred to occupational therapy by the physician. Reviews test information for patients in the following areas: specific muscle strength, joint range of motion, sensation, fine and gross motor coordination, gait deviations, activities of daily living, and equipment needs, etc.

• Implements rehabilitative treatment programs for patients according to the physician’s orders and the plan of treatment established by the occupational therapist, consults with the licensed occupational therapist and the physicians to provide feedback and report progress.
• Coordinates treatment plans with the supervising occupational therapist and other agency and contract facility team members including physician, physical therapist, speech therapist, nursing staff, and social worker. Participates in staff meetings and case reviews as necessary.
• In consultation with the licensed occupational therapist, re-evaluates the treatment program and as indicated by the individual’s progress and the physician’s orders, modifies and changes treatment in accordance with new information.
• Explains and instructs the family in the individual’s treatment goals and program to ensure carry-over in living arrangement and/or home setting; makes recommendations to the licensed occupational therapist regarding adaptive equipment.
• Maintains verbal and/or written communications among other personnel involved in the care of the patient; maintains clinical records on all patients referred to occupational therapy and in consultation with the licensed occupational therapist.
• Performs and submits required documentation of patient’s clinical notes, progress reports, summaries and case conferences along with changes in orders. All patient visit notes must be turned in the next scheduled workday, not to exceed forty-eight (48) hours.
• Advances professional growth; participates in training sessions at least 2 times annually; attends short courses, and studies professional journals and texts.
• Administers non-complex active and passive manual therapeutic exercises, therapeutic massage, traction, heat, light, cold, water and electrical modalities to patients with relatively stable conditions.
• Timely submission of documentation in accordance with company policy
• Complies with Homecare Agency Compliance Plan.
• Complies with Homecare Agency’s Infection Control Policies.
• Complies with Homecare Agency’s HIPAA Policies.

The above statements are only meant to be a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. The incumbents may be requested to perform job related tasks other than those stated in this description.

Working Environment:

Field experience may expose employee to temperature extremes, physical injury by patient, family, animal or other in the community, unsafe environment or exposure to infectious diseases and offensive odors.

• Equipment and Supplies: Prudent and efficient use of routine office supplies and equipment. Prudent and efficient use of routine medical supplies, sphygmomanometer and stethoscope, and equipment. All the preceding items should be protected from theft and weather at all times.
• Knowledge and Competency: Must demonstrate basic knowledge of all procedures included in the Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant description. Must have the ability to follow instructions from the physician, Occupational Therapist and Director of Rehabilitation Services and other professional staff. Ability to communicate effectively with managers, patients, families and co-workers. Must have effective means of transportation, which will enable employee to make visits to patients’ homes if needed. Must be able to assess safety of home situations for self, patients, and other staff members, including physical and psychological dangers. Must have the ability to effectively cope with patients, families and all others with varying backgrounds, socioeconomic conditions, and value judgments. Skills include the ability to use cognizant approach to problem solving in delivering patient care with considerations being given to the patient’s past experience, finances and other resources. Skills are needed to assess both physical and psychological needs of patients and institute the appropriate nursing intervention. Must possess ingenuity to handle medical and situational emergencies.
• Maintains confidentiality of information relating to patient. Will discuss only those aspects necessary to care and treatment of patient with those directly involved in the patient’s care.
• Physical Demands: Must be able to complete all physical demands of the job, which may include, but not be limited to: the ability to lift and transfer patients, carry supplies, and read normal typewritten print. Have corrected vision and hearing within normal range and have manual dexterity with normal range of motion of all extremities. May be requested to work weekends, holidays, and occasional overtime. Must be able to work alone without usual support systems immediately available in acute care settings. Must have the ability to deal with abrupt schedule changes and to maintain objectivity in coping with the stress of working with acute, chronic and terminally ill patients.
• Work Ethic: Complies with the Homecare Agency dress code, projects a professional attitude toward self, patients, and other staff members, and follows department public relation policies regarding outside speaking and professional affiliations, clearing all such requests through Homecare Agency.

Position Qualifications

• Must be a graduate of a 2-year college-level program approved by the American Occupational Therapy Association.
• Minimum of one year of experience in the clinical practice of Occupational Therapy.
• An Occupational Therapist Assistant should meet the qualifications for a occupational therapy assistant under the Federal Conditions of Participation for Homecare Agency established by CMS.
• Must be licensed to practice occupational therapy by the state licensing board in the state of practice.
• Current CPR license.