Relief Occupational Therapist

Job Summary

The Relief Occupational Therapist with a NICU focus provides specialized occupational therapy services to medically complex neonates and their families. Within the scope of practice and under the guidance of Rehab Management, the Relief Occupational Therapist is responsible for all clinical aspects of care, including evaluation, treatment planning, intervention, and progression of therapy for infants in the NICU.

This role emphasizes neuroprotective and developmental care, caregiver education, interdisciplinary collaboration, as well as feeding and swallowing assessment and intervention. The Relief Occupational Therapist may also provide coverage to pediatric acute care areas as needed, with age ranges extending from infancy through adolescence.

Essential Functions

• The essential functions listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification.
• They are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities.
• Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

Employees must abide by all Joint Commission Requirements including but not limited to sensitivity to cultural diversity, patient care, patient rights and ethical treatment, safety and security of physical environments, emergency management, teamwork, respect for others, participation in ongoing education and training, communication and adherence to safety and quality programs, sustaining compliance with National Patient Safety Goals, and licensure and health screenings.

Must perform all duties and responsibilities in accordance with the hospital's policies and procedures, including its Service Standards and its Code of Conduct.

• Performs patient care tasks with medically complicated patient populations. Determines rehab prognosis and implements the clinically indicated therapy plan of care. Determines the therapy diagnosis and designs a clinically appropriate occupational therapy plan of care that focuses on maximizing outcomes while identifying the frequency and duration required to meet therapeutic, family centered goals. Administers appropriate assessment and treatment techniques during all phases of the rehabilitation process.
• Evaluates, recommends, and trains on the use of durable medical equipment. May fabricate devices as clinically indicated. Discharges patients from treatment as clinically indicated, with adequate discharge planning including equipment procurement and patient/family training. Communicates discharge plan appropriately to patient, family, and health care team.
• Identifies needs for equipment repair or upgrade to maintain quality of care. Makes recommendations for selection and purchase of specific equipment and supplies.
• Initiates and participates in interdisciplinary care planning to meet the needs of each patient and family, including participation in rounds and patient care conferences and communicating with and instructing other care providers. May contact community agencies as necessary to provide continuity of service between hospital and community.
• Ensures documentation and billing are timely, accurate and complete, including evaluation, assessment, treatment precautions, plan of care, progress notes, discharge summaries, and charges.
• Performs direct patient care with fundamental skills in clinical reasoning, problem-solving and treatment interventions; Assesses and treats assigned patients within the CA OT Licensing Board and AOTA (American Occupational Therapy Association) scope of practice including but not limited to ADL's (Activities of Daily Living), cognitive and perceptual status, swallow evaluation and treatment, splinting, equipment needs assessment, and functional mobility.

Minimum Qualifications

• Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities as well as possession of any required licenses or certifications is qualifying.
• Education: Requirement met by License/Certification Requirement.
• Experience: None Required

License/Certification

• Occupational Therapist by California Board of Occupational Therapy
• RQI Healthcare Provider Basic Life Support
• or
• Basic Life Support by American Heart Association (AHA)

Knowledge

These are the observable and measurable attributes and skills required to perform successfully the essential functions of the job and are generally demonstrated through qualifying experience, education or licensure/certification.

• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Sound clinical reasoning skills consistent with standards of care and professional practice standards; demonstrates good safety awareness, judgment and problem analysis and resolution.
• Knowledge of legal issues affecting the clinical practice.
• Knowledge of regulatory practice requirements.
• Knowledge of available equipment and vendors used in assigned area.
• Ability to work well and build relationships with individuals at all levels of the organization.
• Knowledge of evaluation and treatment methodologies as applied to routine patient care; demonstrates self-directed learning skills to remain current with evidence-based practice
• Ability to manage clinical caseload
• Ability to provide appropriate care and progress treatment based on professional standards of practice, and on the needs of the specific individual, including age and developmental considerations, cultural and psychosocial issues, precautions and medical condition.
• Knowledge and adherence to Code of Ethics and performance standards specific to the clinician's professional organization.
• Knowledge of business aspects of position, such as utilization management, charging practices and regulatory compliance.

Additional Information: Pay Range

Compensation is based on the level and requirements of the role.

Salary within our ranges may also be determined by your education, experience, knowledge, skills, location, and abilities, as required by the role, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Typically, new team members join at the minimum to mid salary range.