Occupational Therapist; OT - Pediatric Outpatient

Major Responsibilities

• Interprets physician referrals and evaluates the patient's physical, perceptual, cognitive, social, and vocational abilities and their impact on daily living activities.
• Establishes a plan of care and implements individual treatment based on evaluation results and functional goals, utilizing appropriate techniques.
• Provides and/or fabricates assistive devices and/or splints to enhance patient's functional independence.
• Monitors and evaluates outcomes and adjusts the individualized treatment plan based on patient response; provides status updates to physicians and other teammates.
• Identifies factors affecting the patient's physical and psychosocial comfort and addresses these needs.
• Plans for and completes patient discharge, including written home programs, patient/family teaching, referrals for community services, transition planning within the continuum of care, and ordering equipment as indicated/appropriate.
• Communicates and collaborates with appropriate stakeholders to achieve optimum patient care.
• Completes all required documentation following department policy and accreditation standards, including patient evaluations, progress notes, team conference reports, and discharge summaries as appropriate; records patient care and progress; completes daily statistics, billing, and scheduling.
• Applies insurance guidelines regarding authorization and number of visits. Maintains site/department productivity standards and adheres to billing and documentation policies, procedures, and timelines.
• Maintains a clean and organized work area, cleans up after patient treatment, and handles equipment properly. Performs manual techniques, patient positioning, transferring and transporting duties, using proper technique.
• Demonstrates skill in the use of modalities, exercise equipment, and other devices available in the area, and understands indications and contraindications of modalities and exercise.
• Promotes patient safety by participating in safety initiatives and following all safety and infection control measures.
• Participates in performance improvement activities to identify and resolve issues affecting patient care outcomes and quality of care. Manages assigned caseload and coordinates coverage as needed.
• Pursues professional growth through continuing education, department in-services, and reading professional literature; orients new staff to clinical and department policies and participates in evaluating co-workers.
• May supervise occupational therapy assistants and/or extenders in accordance with applicable state and local requirements, including delegation and supervision of treatment plans.

• Education Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited school or educational requirements commensurate with graduation date; maintains continuing education requirements as mandated by state standards.
• Certification / Registration / License Licensed OT for the State of Illinois or State of Wisconsin; must be licensed in the state of work. Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers (AHA) obtained within 90 days unless department leader determines it is not required.
• Work Experience No experience required.
• Knowledge / Skills / Abilities Intermediate computer skills; excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills; demonstrated organization, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities; completion of competency assessments related to patient care; annual educational requirements for hospital certifications (e.g., DNV, CARF or others); ability to provide care appropriate to the patient's age and developmental stage, with data interpretation for age-specific needs.

• Must be able to sit, stand, walk, lift, and squat throughout the workday.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs from floor to waist; lift up to 10 lbs from waist to overhead; and lift and carry up to 40 lbs at waist height over a distance.
• Must be able to push/pull with 30 lbs of force; perform a sliding transfer of 150 lbs with a second person present.
• Position requires repetitive hand use: simple grasping (5–15 lbs, ~20% of the workday); pushing/pulling up to 75–100 lbs (~10% of the day); fine manipulation for massage and joint mobilization.
• Must have functional use of senses for effective communication; exposed to electrical and chemical hazards and to blood and body fluids; may require protective clothing.
• Position may require travel and exposure to road and weather hazards; operates all equipment needed for the job.

Disclaimer All responsibilities and requirements are subject to modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. This job description does not state or imply that these are the only responsibilities. Employees must follow job-related instructions and perform other duties as requested by leaders.