Inpatient Occupational Therapist- Per Diem, Rotating Days

Inpatient Occupational Therapist

Reporting to the Rehabilitation Therapies Supervisor/Manager, 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.

Essential Responsibilities / Duties:

• 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.
• Progresses patient treatment programs appropriately and terminates them as warranted by patient's progress and condition.
• 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.
• Establishes and maintains a therapeutic relationship with all patients.
• Demonstrates ability to engage patients in treatment provides reinforcement and support; sets limits appropriately.
• Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age groups regularly served.
• 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.
• Assigns appropriate patients to Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant and Rehabilitation Aide. Seeks feedback.
• Monitors clinical supplies on assigned floors, requesting replacements in a timely manner.
• 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.
• Completes patient care charges accurately.
• Meets area specific productivity standards at least 95% of the time. Identifies problems and makes adjustments to meet targeted productivity.
• Participates in the peer review process. Completes form thoroughly, gives meaningful and constructive feedback, and provides learning experience to peer.
• Completes mandatory requirements (including PPD,…