TITLE OF POSITION: OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

TITLE OF IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: DIRECTOR OF NURSING

RISK OF EXPOSURE TO BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS – HIGH



DUTIES

Provides skilled occupational therapy service on an intermittent basis to patients in their homes in accordance with the physician's orders.



RESPONSIBILITIES

Assists the physician in evaluating the patient's level of function by applying diagnostic and prognostic procedures.

Conducts initial and ongoing comprehensive assessments of the patient’s needs, including Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) assessments.

Evaluates the patient's significant other(s), and the home situation to determine what instruction will be required and what family assistance will be available in caring for the patient, as well as what other Agency and community services will be required.

Assures that the physician's orders are appropriate and discusses necessary changes.

Assists in development and implementation of the interdisciplinary patient care plan to include Occupational Therapy in consultation with the physician.

Guides and instructs the patient in prescribed therapeutic self-care and creative activities that are directed toward improving independence and physical and mental functioning.

Instructs patient in care and use of wheelchairs, braces, splints, and prosthetic and orthotic devices.

Teaches, supervises and counsels the family and patient in the total Occupational Therapy program and other related problems of the patient at home.

Establishes goals based on the patient's current level of functioning and potential for improvement and performs re-evaluations as indicated.

Makes arrangement for outpatient services when procedures are required that cannot be given in the home.

Evaluates the effectiveness of occupational therapy intervention and updates the patient care plan as needed.

Prepare clinical/progress notes on the day of the visit which are incorporated into the chart within 14 days.

Communicates with the physician on a regular basis regarding patient's status, obtaining additional orders, if necessary.

Communicates with other team members and, when appropriate, instructs them in Occupational Therapy techniques that they may use while working with the patient.

Supervises the Home Health Aide every 2 weeks when Occupational Therapy is the only professional discipline involved in the patient's care.

Supervise the Occupational Therapy Assistant: supervisory contact (face-to-face individual contact, telephone communication, contact through written reports or group conferences among a supervisor and two or more supervisees) with the OTA at least 10% of the time worked by the assistant in direct patient care. Face-to-face individual contact shall occur onsite at least once a month and shall include observation of the assistant performing occupational therapy. The specific mode, frequency and duration of other types of supervisory contact depend on the treatment setting, the occupational therapy assistant’s caseload, the condition of patients being treated by the assistant and the experience and competence of the assistant as determined by the supervisor. The supervisor shall ensure, however, that supervisory contact within each calendar month includes a combination of face-to-face, telephone and written communication

Confirms, on a weekly basis, the scheduling of visits with the Director of Nursing in order to coordinate Agency visits.

Participates with the staff, the patient, and the physician in discharge activities and completes an Occupational Therapy Discharge Summary.

Assumes responsibility for self-development by continually striving to improve his/her health care knowledge through educational programs, attendance at workshops and conferences, active participation in professional and related organizations and individual research and reading.



ASSISTS IN THE AGENCY ADMISSION PROCESS

Obtains a medical history, particularly as it relates to the present condition.

Evaluates the patient, the patient’s significant other(s) and the home situation to determine what instruction will be required, what assistance will be available from the family in caring for the patient, and what other Agency and community services will be required.

Assures that the physician’s orders are appropriate and discusses necessary changes.



JOB CONDITIONS

The ability to drive and the ability to access patients’ homes which may not be routinely wheelchair accessible are required.

Hearing, eyesight and physical dexterity must be sufficient to perform a physical assessment of the patient's condition and to perform patient care.

On occasion, may be required to bend, stoop, reach and move patient weight up to 250 pounds; lift and/or carry up to 30 pounds.

Must be able to effectively communicate in English.



EQUIPMENT OPERATION

Occupational therapy equipment and other medical equipment will be utilized. Hand washing materials.



COMPANY INFORMATION

Has access to all patient medical records which may be discussed with Director of Nursing, the Administrator, the Executive Director, and the Quality Assurance department staff and government agencies.



QUALIFICATIONS

1. Must have graduated from an Occupational Therapist curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), or its successor organizations.

2. Must be licensed in the state of Pennsylvania.

3. Must have at least one year of institutional experience.

4. Must have a criminal background check.

5. Must have a current CPR certification. Online certification is not accepted.