Cg - Occupational Therapy Assistant

Job Summary:

Evaluates, plans and administers Occupational Therapy modalities/regimens to patients in their place of residence for the purpose of developing and restoring function through rehabilitative Occupational Therapy as prescribed by a physician.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Reviews patient assessments and Plans of Care- follows and integrates into pt visit
• Follows physician orders for certification and recertification of home Occupational Therapy.
• Ensures that changes in patients' clinical status are communicated to other healthcare team members and Agency office staff verbally and in writing in a timely manner.
• Ensures that assessment results, recommendations, and physician orders are communicated to other healthcare team members and Agency staff in a timely, accurate and thorough manner.
• Coordinates care planning and delivery with the supervising OTR, physician and other healthcare team members and Agency staff to facilitate optimal patient outcomes.
• Delivers Occupational Therapy modalities appropriate to the patient's clinical status and needs, and in accordance with the standard of care for patient's age and with applicable laws, regulations and standards.
• Reports to OTR on the efficiency and effectiveness of Occupational Therapy services and and follows processes to support optimal patient outcomes.
• Follows appropriate home exercise programs tailored to the patient's clinical status, needs and age, reports to OTR.
• Able to appropriately assess, report, and reassess a patient's pain.
• Utilizes appropriate pain management modalities that include, but are not limited to, Occupational Therapy modalities.
• Educates the patient and/or caregiver in effective pain management modalities.
• Provides Occupational Therapy modalities in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors.
• Follows transfer and discharge planning functions in accordance with Agency policy and applicable laws, regulations and standards.
• Addresses and supports cultural practices providing such practices do not harm the patient or others, and do not interfere with the planned course of Occupational Therapy.
• Participates in the organization's information management program.
• Complies with the Agency's policies.
• Adheres to all applicable laws, regulations and standards.
• Completes and submits necessary documentation in accordance with Agency policy and applicable regulations.
• Submits verification of completed visits in accordance with Agency policy.
• Participates in interdisciplinary team conferences in accordance with Agency policy.
• Maintains current knowledge of community resources. Identifies and accesses appropriate external and internal resources to meet patient and/or family needs and to facilitate optimal patient outcomes while home care services are being provided, and for transfer and discharge processes.

Regulatory Requirements:

• Current valid state Occupational Therapy Assistant license.
• Graduate of an accredited Occupational Therapy assistant curriculum/school; or,
• For Medicare certified agencies:
• Graduate of an Occupational Therapy Assistant curriculum accredited jointly by the Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation of the American Medical Association and the American Occupational Therapy Association; or,
• Two (2) years of work experience preferred. Prior home health experience preferred.
• Valid state driver's license and reliable automobile.
• Current health certificate/physical examination and TB testing.
• Current BCLS certification (optional).

Language Skills:

• Able to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.
• Additional language proficiency an asset

Skills:

• Understands regulations/standards applicable to home healthcare.
• Knowledge of general Occupational Therapy modalities and scope of Occupational Therapy practice within the state.
• Flexible, yet organized, with ability to exercise sound judgment.

Physical Demands:

• For physical demands of position, including vision, hearing, repetitive motion and environment, see following description.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position without compromising patient care.