Occupational Therapist, Acute Care

Job Summary

Upon referral and in collaboration with other members of the health care team, the OT uses clinical judgment skills to treat patients with actual or potential health problems. The OT is responsible for implementing OT programs to prevent disability from immobilization, surgery, following disease, injury or loss of body part; to restore function and return patient to maximum potential. The OT will coordinate therapy activities with other health care disciplines.

Essential Responsibilities

• Delivers quality treatment programs to patients ranging in age from pediatric to geriatric in compliance with competency checklists. Evaluates the physical status, functional abilities and age-specific needs of patients to determine the current level of functioning, self-care, self-responsibility, independence, and quality of life. Develops and implements a treatment plan which involves the patient, family and social support systems: identifies interventions to reach reasonable goals; coordinate and collaborates on treatment options; advocates to enhance patients social support systems, facilitates environmental modifications, and creates new support systems. Integrates discharge planning early in treatment based on continuing assessments and stated expectations for achieving treatment goals and objectives. Provides treatments based on established departmental guidelines and protocols; demonstrates competency in managing patients based on competency checklists. Utilizes all equipment appropriately and safely per established protocols, manufacturers guidelines, and competency checklists.
• Completes all chart documentation according to the criteria of the record review checklist.
• Provides written documentation, departmental and interdepartmental, that is legible, complete, and timely.
• Provides patient handouts that are effective and appropriate for patient understanding.
• Maintains professional competency by attending continuing education applicable to the specific patient population treated.
• Presents one inservice per year to OT staff.
• Supports organizational mission statement and goals.
• Complies with departmental safety precautions/procedures. PPD. CPR. Safety fair. Uses safety precautions when transferring patients.
• Productivity: Demonstrates time management skills by meeting productivity standards, using patient treatment time effectively, and utilizing time between patient treatments efficiently. Coordinates therapy activities with other health care disciplines when appropriate. Utilizes resources appropriately. Participates in maintaining a clean, safe, and organized department.
• Responsibility: Performs duties in a professional manner demonstrating dependability, flexibility, and teamwork. Adheres to professional practice standards and guide for professional conduct. Maintains confidentiality of patient and employee medical information. Adapts to changes in assignments and/or new conditions in work environment. Actively participates in intradepartmental and interdepartmental efforts to ensure high quality, comprehensive care. Provides quality customer service. Makes accommodations in daily work schedule to meet patients needs. Interacts with patients/families/other staff in a friendly and courteous manner. Complies with Quality of Service Behavior Guidelines. Demonstrates problem solving by taking ownership of patient and organizational problems and working to resolve them when they occur. Demonstrates initiative by independently beginning new projects and/or resolving departmental issues. Demonstrates leadership by volunteering and completing new projects and/or resolving departmental issues when needed. Demonstrates decision making by evaluating, establishing and adapting treatment plans and making recommendations to providers as needed to provide effective therapy.
• Relationships: Communicates orally with patients/families/caregivers, peers and supervisors in an appropriate and effective manner. Demonstrates professional interpersonal relationships with fellow therapists, providers, and supervisors. Accepts supervision in an open and professional manner, and implements recommendations/suggestions. Communicates with patients/families/caregivers, providers, peers, and supervisors in written form that is appropriate and effective.