Occupational Therapist

Overview

JOB SUMMARY Occupational therapists is responsible for treating injured, ill, or disabled patients through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. They help these patients develop, recover, and improve the skills needed for daily living and working.

• Helps patient develop or regain physical or mental functioning or adjust to disabilities by implementing programs involving manual arts and crafts, practice in functional, pre‑vocational, vocational, and homemaking skills, activities of daily living, and sensorimotor, educational, recreational, and social activities; directing aides, technicians, and assistants.
• Develop a treatment plan for patients, laying out the types of activities and specific goals to be accomplished.
• Conduct physical and psychological assessments of clients and develop or follow a treatment plan.
• Observe patients doing tasks, ask them questions, and review their medical history.
• Evaluate a patient's condition and needs.
• Evaluate a patient’s home or workplace and, based on the patient’s health needs, identify potential improvements, educate patient’s family and employer about how to accommodate and care for the patient.
• Recommend special equipment, such as wheelchairs and eating aids, and instruct patients on how to use that equipment.
• Assess and record patients’ activities and progress for patient evaluations, for billing, and for reporting to physicians and other healthcare providers.
• Advise on adaptive equipment to help clients with daily activities.
• Develop physical rehabilitation programs to help clients regain lost skills.
• Educate caregivers and family members of clients on patient care.
• Evaluate results and progress of occupational therapy on clients.
• Comply with federal, state, and local certification requirements.
• Evaluate patient condition regarding physical and basic mental health.
• Examine the condition of patients and analyze their needs.
• Promote maximum independence by selecting and constructing therapies according to individual’s physical capacity, intelligence level, and interest.
• Evaluate results of occupational therapy by observing, noting, and evaluating patient’s progress; recommend and implement adjustments and modifications.
• Complete discharge planning by consulting with physicians, nurses, social workers, and other health care workers; contribute to patient care conferences.
• Assure continuation of therapeutic plan following discharge by designing and instructing patients, families, and caregivers in home exercise programs; recommend and/or provide assistive equipment; recommend outpatient or home health follow‑up programs.
• Document patient care services in the medical record.
• Maintain a safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations.
• Ensure operation of equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; follow manufacturer’s instructions; troubleshoot malfunctions; call for repairs.
• Other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED EDUCATION

Graduate from an Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) OR American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Accredited School

REQUIRED

CERTIFICATIONS:

(upon hire)

• Current Basic Life Support Certification for Healthcare Providers through American Heart Association
• Active and unrestricted license to practice as an Occupational Therapist in the State of Texas
• Successfully pass the national examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapists (NBCOT)