Occupational Therapist

Definition:

The Occupational Therapist supervises and participates in the implementation of occupational therapeutic techniques for the rehabilitation of patients with physical disabilities, injuries, or diseases.

Line of Authority:

Director of Therapy Services, Administrator/Director of Services.

Qualifications:

1. Must be a graduate of an accredited course in occupational therapy as certified by the American Occupational Therapy Association.
2. Must be registered under the statutes of the state in which the occupational therapist will be practicing.
3. Active member of the State and National Occupational Therapy Associations preferred.

Performance Requirements:

1. Able to transfer, lift and guard patients safely with appropriate assistance.
2. Able to bend, stoop, squat and lift numerous times daily (70 – 80 lbs) in the care of patients and use of equipment.
3. Able to carry out fine motor skills with manual dexterity.
4. Mental acuity and judgment skills to adequately and safely perform job requirements.
5. Able to see and hear adequately in order to respond to auditory and visual needs and clinical indications of the patients.
6. Able to learn, absorb and apply professional training.
7. Able to organize work procedures, assume responsibility and tactfully supervise others.
8. Able to speak in a clear, concise voice in order to communicate adequately.
9. Able to read, write and edit documentation.
10. Must have reliable personal transportation.

Specific Responsibilities:

1. Coordinates and supervises Occupational Therapy services.
2. Provides Occupational Therapy services as ordered by the referring physician and delegates appropriate portions of the treatment program to the licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant.
3. Instructs the Occupational Therapy staff in their delegated functions including precautions, special problems, contraindications, anticipated progress goals and plan for re-evaluation.
4. Evaluates, plans and supervises treatments and programs including the establishment of short-term and long-term goals for patients as approved by the physician with periodic re-evaluations.
5. Maintains patient care records as designated by the HomeCare agency, assuring that third party reimbursement qualifications are met, as well as all state/federal requirements
6. Consults with family members, physicians, and other health care professionals, as appropriate.
7. Participates in inservice training for Occupational Therapy.
8. Checks for safety, care and cleaning of equipment.
9. Serves as Utilization Review and/or Advisory Board Member as requested by Administrator/Director.
10. Conducts or contributes to occupational therapy related CQI, as requested.
11. Participates in interdisciplinary conferences to maintain continuity of patient care.
12. Provides Occupational Therapy services in accordance with all NHC HomeCare policies and procedures and state and federal guidelines.
13. Maintains knowledge base of HomeCare occupational therapy procedures and regulations as well as professional standards through attendance at workshops, and inservices and individual research and reading.