OT00010 Occupational Therapist PRN

Position Summary

Responsible for the evaluation, treatment planning, and treatment implementation of all assigned patients of all ages/populations. 

 Education:  Graduate of an accredited college of Occupational Therapy.

Experience:  May be a new graduate but prefer 1 to 2 years of staff OT experience.

Licenses/Certificate: Current Arkansas Occupational Therapist License

Essential Job Functions

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each of the following Essential Duties satisfactorily.  Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the Essential Duties of the position, provided it does not create undue hardship on SARH.

• Observe professional ethics in maintaining confidential information acquired regarding person, financial, medical or employment of patients, families, and employees of SARH. 
• Must follow and enforce accepted safety practices for patients and SARH. 
• Must report hazards and initiate appropriate action. 
• Must participate in safety instructional programs. 
• Acquires and maintains the skills necessary to perform treatment and procedures required in the Therapy department.
• Possesses basic skills necessary to perform specific occupational therapy procedures including, but not limited to: hand/UE evaluation and treatment, static and dynamic splinting, cognitive/perceptual screening and ADL evaluation/training.
• Evaluates patients’ readiness for treatment based on established treatment goals indicated documentation.
• Treats patients of all age populations  as per treatment plan, goals and time frame in accordance with established procedures.
• Consistently monitors treatment carried out by supportive personnel as indicated by no more than one identified incident per year.
• Evaluates patient response to treatment and modifies treatment plan if needed.  Discharges when appropriate.
• Documents ongoing treatment according to department policies and procedures.
• Accurately documents patients’ status, goals, and plans.
• Responsible for scheduling and evaluating outpatients in a timely fashion, preferably 3 days within referral.
• Responsible for evaluating inpatient referrals when ordered.
• Puts patient and/or family at ease by explaining the procedure prior to initiating any procedure.  Document patient/family education.
• Evaluates patient treatment needs and pursues follow-up program (referrals, home exercise, etc.) As documented in the discharge summary.
• Provides for patient safety at all times.
• Is able to learn new techniques in occupational therapy and both incorporate them in daily treatment and in-service staff.
• Always seeks guidelines when in doubt about a patient’s condition, treatment, policy, or professional concern.
• Collaborates with other departments and outside agencies to meet the identified needs of the patient.
• Maintains and completes accurate written patient care records in a timely manner in compliance with JCAHO and department policies and procedures.  Writes functional, measurable, objective goals.
• Records all patient charges accurately before the end of each day.
• Provides informal interdepartmental reporting to ensure the continuity of patient care.
• Completes any special documentation established for quality assessment improvement purposes in requested time frame.
• Maintains continuous effective communication among the Therapy staff including exchange of professional information as documented by participation in staff meetings and daily interpersonal communication to insure continuity of care.
• Maintains effective communications with physician by routinely providing written progress summaries and discharge summaries.
• Consults with physician to clarify referrals, discuss patient response to treatment modification.
• Maintains continuous, effective interdepartmental communication by participation in discharge planning and coordination of patient care with nursing and other team members.
• Communicates treatment plan and goals clearly to patient and/or family to perform or assist with selected activities and document patient/family response.
• Supervises COTA and any students as required.
• Maintains commitment to professional growth and competency.
• Is professional with Director and supportive of the work/director of department.
• Utilizes good body mechanics and uses gait belts in patient treatment.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

This job description is a summary of the typical functions of the job, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all the possible job responsibilities, tasks, and duties you may be asked to perform when they are assigned.