Occupational Therapist (Ot) - Acute Care (Per Diem)

Description

Work where every moment matters. 

Every day, almost 30,000 Hartford HealthCare employees come to work with one thing in common: Pride in what we do, knowing every moment matters here. We invite you to become part of Connecticut’s most comprehensive healthcare network. 

Join us at Backus Hospital as we live our values every day. As part of Hartford HealthCare we create a better future for healthcare in Connecticut and beyond. By embodying these values, we have become nationally respected for patient care and most trusted for personalized coordinated care. Come be part of something special!

For more than 118 years, Backus Hospital has been the primary source of healthcare services for much of Eastern Connecticut. We are home to the only trauma center in New London and Windham counties, and are the only area hospital with LIFE STAR helicopter services. We deliver and coordinate a continuum of high-quality healthcare with the goal of improving the health of our communities.

In addition to our 200+ bed hospital, the Backus Health System includes numerous off-site locations, including several health centers, Backus Home Health Care and the Backus Outpatient Care Center, also in Norwich. Backus Health Centers are located in Montville, Ledyard, Colchester, Norwich, and North Stonington, and additional labs for blood draws are available throughout the region.

Position Description

We're seeking a Per DiemOccupational Therapist for our Acute Care team at Backus Hospital!

The Occupational Therapist (OT) independently evaluates patients’ level of function and determines, develops, and implements individualized treatment goals and plans in alignment with the patient/caregiver goals. The Occupational Therapist (OT) determines treatment strategies and delivers Occupational Therapy services that promote health and wellness, prevent injury or disability, improve and develop self-dependency and maintenance, productivity, leisure, perceptual motor function, rest, mental, cognitive physical, sensory-perceptual, psychosocial developmental, and emotional wellbeing in a variety of contexts and environments in order to maximize function in the areas of daily living, leisure/recreation, and productivity/work. 

The Occupational Therapist (OT) delegates patient care tasks and provide clinical supervision for Occupational Therapist students, Rehabilitation Aides and Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants. 

This role encompasses evaluation skills and techniques, analysis of patients, and application of Occupational Therapy to maximize the patient's functional independence. 

Responsibilities

·         Upon Physician referral, the Occupational Therapist (OT) performs thorough evaluation of patient’s level of function, including upper extremity strength, motor control, joint mobility, soft tissue integrity, pain, balance, coordination, perceptual-cognitive motor function, and functional abilities of daily living.

·         Establishes measurable goals with the patient/family based on appropriate patient care protocols and critical paths in order to meet patient needs.

·         Implements, delivers and delegates patient care by utilizing appropriate interventions and clinical decision making. Therapeutic techniques to support every day activities include but are not limited to fine motor skills, exercises to improve gross motor skills, and techniques to support and to maximize function in the areas of daily living, leisure/recreation, and productivity/work.

·         Provides patient and caregiver education regarding treatment, precautions, and equipment use.

·         Completes all documentation including but not limited to: evaluation, care plan and goals, patient status and progress, visits, patient discharge summary, and patient care transition plan and summary.

·         Participates in patient transition planning and/or patient discharge planning including recommendations to community resources to meet patient needs throughout the continuum of care. Help to coordinate patient care with other care providers such as MDs, Rehab Therapists, Nurses, Social Workers, and other community resources as related to care transition planning

Qualifications

·         Bachelors, Masters or Doctoral Degree in Occupational Therapy from a program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE).

·         Open to new graduates

·         Previous experience as an Occupational Therapist in an Acute Care setting preferred

·         License to practice as an OT in the state of CT. Certification by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT®).

Knowledge, Skills and Ability Requirements 

·         Works efficiently and organizes time appropriately. Ability to prioritize daily work assignments.

·         Ability to read and understand oral and written instructions, and effectively communicate information.

·         Basic computer skills (including opening/reading email, text messaging, basic internet use). Proficient skills in windows-based software (including word processing, database, spreadsheet and presentation programs). Experience with electronic medical records preferred.

·         Working knowledge of State Practice Act and Federal Medicaid and Medicare regulations.

·         Excellent interpersonal skills and team player

·         Demonstrates competence, including knowledge and behaviors, to meet age-specific patients’ needs

·         Maintains infection control policies related to patient care

·         Ability to exercise independent judgement

·         Able to adapt to a changing environment

Problem Solving and Decision Making

·         Ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with the entire patient care team

·         Requires the ability to exercise discretion and use good judgment to perform duties promptly and consistently with little direction.

·         Ability to maintain confidentiality at all times.

·         Requires high level of analytical ability in order to gather and interpret information from various sources.

·         Able to take appropriate actions in response to changes, circumstances ability concerning the daily activities of the position. 

We take great care of careers.
With locations around the state, Hartford HealthCare offers exciting opportunities for career development and growth. Here, you are part of an organization on the cutting edge – helping to bring new technologies, breakthrough treatments and community education to countless men, women and children. We know that a thriving organization starts with thriving employees-- we provide a competitive benefits program designed to ensure work/life balance. Every moment matters. And this is your moment.