****Position Summary

The Staff Occupational Therapist evaluates and treats patients, communicates with families, physicians and other health team members and maintains documentation of services in the medical records. Conducts in-services and training for facility staff on an ongoing basis.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Evaluate patients within twenty-four (24) hours, or 1 business day of physician referral. If unable to complete evaluation in 24 hours, documentation in medical record clearly defines cause for delay.
• Develop effective treatment plan and obtain approval for services from referring physician.
• Treat patients per the physician treatment plan.
• Assist nursing department with training of Restorative Aides.
• Supervise Occupational Therapy Assistants in direct patient care and patient related activities, following state practice act.
• Communicate with supervisor and other health team members regarding patient progress, problem and plans.
• Participate in Patient Care Conferences, Utilization Review meetings and Rehabilitation Conferences as needed.
• Participate in in-services training program for other staff in the facility.
• Record evaluations, daily treatment notes, weekly progress notes, recertification documentation, per Occupational Therapy Board State Practice Act and governmental and third party payer requirements.
• Record treatment changes per policy and procedures.
• Instruct patient's families or nursing staff in maintenance program and caregiver training in preparation for discharge from therapy services.
• Participate in discharge planning.
• Recommend and facilitate the ordering of necessary durable medical equipment for patients to facilitate independence in mobility; i.e., braces, walkers, canes, elevated toilet seats and grab bars.
• Report any problems with department equipment so that it is maintained in good working order.
• Ability to relate positively, effectively, and appropriately with patients/residents, families, staff and professional colleagues.
• Supervises Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA), aides and students.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Proficient in computer skills such as inputting data into programs such as Casamba and Point Click Care.
• Ability to read technical procedures.
• Ability to read and comprehend policy and procedure manuals.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers, coworkers and families.
• Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations.
• Ability to solve practical problems.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form

Physical Demands

The essential functions of this position require the following physical abilities:

• Standing and /or walking very frequently.
• Sitting occasionally.
• Reaching with hands and arms frequently, pushing/pulling very frequently.
• Talking and /or hearing very frequently.
• Tasting and /or smelling very frequently.
• Exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and or excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or excess of 20 pounds of force constant to move objects.
• Climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling occasionally.
• Close, distance, color, peripheral, and depth perception in vision: ability to adjust focus.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy, prefer graduates of Masters or Doctorate Program in Occupational Therapy.
• Licensed as an Occupational Therapist in the state.
• Employee must meet continue education requirements per state practices.
• Must maintain a license in good standing at all time with the state board.