Occupational Therapist - Outpatient, South

Position:Occupational Therapist, Outpatient South Bay

Location: Dorchester, MA

Schedule: 40 Hours per week

The Staff Occupational Therapist conducts comprehensive assessments of in and outpatients with physical, cognitive, psychosocial, or functional deficits, planning and implementing individual/group occupational therapy treatments to achieve the highest possible level of independence in daily living skills. Collaborates with other disciplines to arrange for appropriate follow-up care and facilitates a successful return to home and work environments. Provides student training according to departmental guidelines and participates in continuous education.

• Conducts occupational therapy evaluation procedures according to professional and departmental guidelines.
• Responds to all consults in assigned area within 24 hours; completes evaluation and documentation within 48 hours of consult (IP).
• Reviews patient records, gathers necessary information, and obtains a physician’s order prior to assessing the patient.
• Selects evaluation procedures that reflect understanding of the patient’s diagnosis, abilities, and limitations.
• Administers evaluation procedures according to the guidelines of standardized tests (including upper extremity, muscle strength, range of motion, endurance, and activities of daily living); adapts evaluation procedures as indicated to accommodate the specific needs of patients.
• Interprets evaluation results, develops an integrated diagnostic impression, and makes recommendations.
• Performs re-evaluations according to departmental policies, change in patient’s status or response to treatment.
• Educates patient and caregiver regarding evaluation findings and management of care recommendations.

Establishes treatment goals and plans that reflect the needs of the patients while meeting departmental, institutional, and third party reimbursement requirements.

• Formulates treatment goals and plans that reflect the patient’s unique psychological and functional deficits.
• Establishes measurable and attainable short and long-term goals in collaboration with patient and/or caregiver.
• Modifies goals as warranted by changes in patient’s status.
• Assesses discharge needs of the patient and caregiver, including but not limited to: insurance issues, equipment needs, follow-up appointments, and appropriate use of community services.
• Communicates patients care and discharge needs to team members as needed. Arranges for appropriate follow-up.

Implements comprehensive individual and group treatment. Consistently demonstrates clinical competence.

• Establishes treatment priorities based on evaluation results and the specific needs of the patients. Uses creative treatment approaches and explores alternative solutions to individual patient problems.
• Demonstrates clinical problem solving skills with a variety of patient problems and substantiates actions taken.
• Fabricates issues or recommends appropriate adaptive or orthotic devices according to accepted occupational therapy standards.
• Develops and instructs patient and caregiver in home programs and/or use of recommended equipment; provides verbal and/or written instructions as indicated.
• Notifies supervisor/manager when patients in age groups not regularly served are present, and seeks assistance from individuals with the knowledge of the specialized needs of such patient age groups.
• Adheres to diagnosis-related precautions.
  
  Demonstrates good judgment in handling potentially hazardous situations, seeking assistance as necessary.

Complies with departmental, institutional, and accrediting agency policies and standards.

• Completes area specific documentation (including letters, re-evaluations) in an accurate thorough and timely manner according to department standards scoring an average of 95% or greater on each indicator.
• Issues supplies/adaptive equipment in a cost-effective manner. Justifies issuance of equipment, demonstrates actual use by patient. Looks for alternative solutions.
• Meets area specific productivity standards at least 95% of the time. Identifies problems and makes adjustments to meet targeted productivity.
• Participates in the peer…