Licensed Occupational Therapist

1.       Provides skilled occupational therapy in accordance with the physician’s plan of care.  Accepts only clients referred by the client care manager/DOPS or designee.  Demonstrates competency in skills required by the agency on at least a biannual basis.

2.       Assists the physician in the evaluation and assessment of the client’s level of functioning by applying diagnostic and prognostic procedures and tests and assists in the development and revision of the plan of care.

3.       Designs orthotics as indicated by the client’s condition and needs.

4.       Treats the client through the use of therapeutic activities designed to restore function and self-care activities for the purpose of improving function.

5.       Observes, records and reports the client’s reaction to treatment and any changes in the client’s condition to the physician and/or client care manager and case manager at least every 62 days.

6.       Instructs and advises client, family and other health team personnel in the exercise program designed to increase the client’s strength and control.

7.       Cooperates with appropriate staff to provide staff education when requested and arranged by the client care manager.

8.       Demonstrates and teaches alternate techniques to complete activities of daily living, proper transfers and positioning.

9.       Orders and/or fabricates adaptive/assistive devices and equipment.

10.   Evaluates, and regularly reevaluates, the nursing needs of the client; develops, implements and revises the client’s plan of care.  Assesses the client’s continual care needs.  Ensures that the plan of care addresses all problems identified in the assessment or documents rationale for not doing so.

11.   Initiates diagnostic, preventative and rehabilitative procedures as appropriate to the client’s care and safety.  Makes referral to other disciplines as indicated by the needs of the client or documents rationale for not doing so.

12.   Observes signs and symptoms and reports changes in the client’s condition to the physician and/or other appropriate health professionals as often as needed.

13.   Teaches, supervises and counsels the client and family regarding home rehabilitation procedures and other care needs as appropriate to the client’s condition.  Utilizes agency educational material as appropriate.

14.   Coordinates the total plan of care and maintains continuity of client care by liaising with other health professionals assigned to the same clients.  Attends client care conferences.  Initiates client care conferences for complex and/or multidisciplinary clients whenever needed to ensure good coordination of care.

15.   Develops, prepares and maintains individualized client care progress records with accuracy, timeliness and according to policies.  Submits accurate documentation within 24 hours of visit.

16.   Participates in the agency’s quality improvement program.

17.   Keeps abreast of occupational therapy trends and knowledge.

18.   Participates in inservice programs.

19.   Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.

1.       Minimum of one year of occupational therapy experience.

2.       Knowledge and Abilities:

a)       Demonstrated knowledge and skills necessary to provide care to and communicate with primarily the geriatric population, and to a lesser degree the pediatric and adult populations.

b)       Demonstrated knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS - Registered by the American Occupational Therapy Association or successfully completed the educational requirements of occupational therapy and licensed in the state.  Valid driver’s license.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS - Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.  Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra.

REASONING ABILITY - Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.  Ability to interpret and deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  The physical demands/work environment of this job are listed on a separate, attached page.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.