Occupational Therapist

Overview

The Occupational Therapist is an integral member of the interdisciplinary team in developing, administering and implementing the therapeutic services designed to help patients regain their optimal level of function in meaningful daily activities including self care, leisure and work.  The Occupational Therapist will be under the supervision of the Vice President of Nursing and is responsible to department managers for services provided in specific departments (i.e. Home Health and Hospice).

Responsibilities

        Personal Traits, Qualities, and Aptitudes:

Must be able to:  1)  Accept responsibility for evaluation of the patient=s functional status and for interpretations and implementation of the physician=s plan of care.  2) Complete assessment/reassessment and makes decisions based upon objective tests and measurements. 3) Communicate observations, facts and treatment suggestions as an interdisciplinary team member, individually and through team meetings to ensure coordination of the plan of care.  4) Provide education and direction to patients and coworkers as appropriate.  5) Work independently and cooperatively.  6) Recognize and protect patient rights.  7) Convey empathy and compassion to those experiencing grief, pain or trauma.  8) Complete accurate and concise documentation of all communications, coordination and treatment activity.  9) Incorporate guest relations in daily activities. 10) Adapt to emergency situations, be alert to changes in the patients condition.

B.    Working Conditions:

Inside and outside environment, not always protected from the weather temperature changes.  Inside environmental changes are mainly those inside patient homes.  Those can include temperature variations, smoke, unclean homes, various sizes and types of pets, and structural faults/barriers.  Subject to frequent exposure to infection, contagious disease, and hazardous materials and equipment.  Subject to combative patients, dysfunctional families and varying relationships.  Variable noise levels.  Also subject to rapid pace, multiple stimuli, unpredictable environment, and critical situations.

C.    Physical Demands/Traits:

Must be able to 1)  perceive the nature of sounds by ear;  2)  express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word;  3)  perceive characteristics of objects through the eyes;  4)  extend arms and hands in any direction;  5)  seize, hold, grasp, turn, or otherwise work with hands;  6)  pick, pinch, or otherwise work with fingers;  7)  perceive such attributes of objects or materials as size, shape, temperature, or texture; and 8)  stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl.  Must be able to lift 50 pounds maximum with frequent lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling of objects weighing up to 25 pounds.  Continuous walking and standing.  Must be able to identify, match, and distinguish colors.  Rare lifting of greater than 100 pounds.  9)  May need to be able to sit for long periods of time.

Qualifications

A.    Education

Required:    Is a graduate of an occupational therapy curriculum accredited jointly by the Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation of the American Medical Association and the American Occupational Therapy Association:

Is eligible for the National Registration Examination of the American Occupational Therapy Association;

Desired:       Evidence of continuing education appropriate for skill level and area of practice.  Current knowledge of occupational therapy as related to physical disability and rehabilitation procedures, medicine and surgery procedures, mental health concepts, the elderly population, long term care and home health and hospice.

B.    Experience

Required:    Has two years of appropriate experience as an occupational therapist

C.    Licenses, Certificates and/or Registrations

Required:    Licensed by the State of Oregon as an Occupational Therapist. 

                        Must have a valid driver’s license.

Must have a current certification in BLS

Must show proof of auto insurance

Desired:       Registration as an Occupational Therapist with the American Occupational Therapy Association.

D.    Equipment/Tools/Work Aides

Orthotic devices, medical equipment necessary to complete testing and assessments, functioning devices, adaptive equipment.  Must have available car in reliable condition with insurance coverage.

E.    Specialized Knowledge and Skills

Possesses knowledge of the scope and complexity of the patient's age-specific, cultural, physical, and psychosocial well-being served by the hospital requires.  Mathematical computational skills and an ability to communicate therapeutically.  Must be self-motivated, responsible, role model, well organized.