Occupational Therapist Assistant Home Care

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Assists the occupational therapist in assessing the patient's environment and recommending adaptive equipment and/or home modifications that will maximize the patient's functional abilities and safety. Assists in the attainment of those items that are reimbursable as orthotics/prosthetics or durable medical equipment.
• Assists the patient and caregiver to plan adequately for discharge. Helps the patient's occupational therapist prepare an adequate discharge plan that would include referrals to appropriate community resources (e.g. outpatient therapy daycare driver's education) when needed.
• Communicates with supervisor once every 10 therapy visits or once every 30 calendar days as needed regarding issues related to the delivery of occupational therapy services and individual patient care.
• Communicates with the rehab department regarding the patient load scheduling problems vacation coverage.
• Contributes to the achievement of established goals and objectives and adheres to department policies procedures quality standards and safety standards. Completes annual Code of Conduct Compliance and other mandatory training. Complies with governmental and accreditation regulations.
• Maintains effective working relationships with other departments and participates in multidisciplinary quality and service improvement teams. Participates in meetings and on committees and represents the department and agency in community outreach efforts. Enhances growth and development and enriches personal knowledge and skill through participation in educational programs and affiliations.
• Maintains ongoing communication with the patient's occupational therapist physician health care team and other individuals as needed regarding aspects of care and patient's status.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Provides information to the patient regarding functional status and progress towards goals. Duties may include an interview observation tests and measurements including but not limited to goniometry taking vital signs and circumferential measurements. Such duties require the use of tools (e.g. goniometer sphygmomanometer stethoscope) and the possession of sight and hearing senses or the use of prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately.
• Provides medical record entries according to agency standards professional guidelines and regulatory requirements for the reimbursement of occupational therapy services. Ninety-five percent accuracy on technical audit.
• Provides occupational therapy services in accordance with the treatment plan (established by the occupational therapist) agency standards and other professional and regulatory guidelines. Performance of procedures and modalities including but not limited to therapeutic exercise functional mobility training heat/cold application.
• Provides patient and/or caregiver written educational material as directed by the occupational therapist regarding the injury/disease process functional limitations and the purpose of treatment interventions in addition to training in aspects of care the patient/caregiver will need to manage after discharge.

• Graduation from an ACOTE accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant educational program that is recognized by the Board of OT required

• 1-2 years Clinical experience required

• OTA - Occupational Therapist Assistant Occupational Therapy Assistant license in the District of Columbia Maryland or Virginia or any combination based on work location(s) Upon Hire required and
• DL - Valid State Driver's License in good standing with a dependable vehicle for transportation Upon Hire required and
• CPR - Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation (includes BLS and NRP) for healthcare providers from either the American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross within 90 Days required and
• Additional unit/specialty certifications may vary by department or business unit.

• Good clinical skills.
• Verbal and written communication skills.
• Basic computer skills preferred.