Occupational Therapist- Per Diem

Job Description

We will deliver the highest quality health care in partnership with our community, one person at a time.

Department:Inpatient Therapist

Job Title:OT

Reports To:Therapy Manager or Nurse Director

Job Summary:The Occupational Therapist (OT) will provide evaluations, therapy interventions, Activity of Daily Living performance assessments, and education with patients in medically compromised situations within their full scope of practice. This will include participation in the development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of programs and services for patients, families, and the community. The OT will work collaboratively as a member of the interdisciplinary team. The OT will provide safe, efficient and effective care for their patients. The OT is responsible for making high-level clinical decisions, in a rapid and dynamic environment, for the care of their patients. Each of the following responsibility sections is imperative for inpatient practice.

Job Responsibilities:

1. Clinical Decision-Making

1. Integrates chart review, physical exam and complex environment

1. Determines OT appropriateness and communicates effectively to the medical team.

1. Chooses appropriate examination/ interventions throughout session.

1. Assesses response to intervention and adjusts intervention appropriately.

1. Considers impairments that impact performance of Activities of Daily Living.

1. Develops comprehensive OT plan of care that is person-centered and goal-oriented.

1. Utilizes evidence-based practice (EBP) to support goals, discharge needs, rehab prognosis.

1. Prioritizes and optimally doses specific interventions.

1. Communication

1. Selects appropriate communication style based on age, learning style, cognition, and culture.

1. Clearly communicates OT clinical decisions related to: patient ADL/ mobility status, need for ongoing therapy, referral for additional services, needed assistance post-discharge, future OT needs.

1. Implements EBP plan and communicates evidence for OT to be initiated, continued or discontinued.

1. Collaborates with inter-professional team, eliminates barriers to patient access to OT, and promotes safe/ effective care.

1. Educates members of inter-professional team.

1. Provide clear instruction to support personnel.

1. Communicates aspects of patient care in accordance with regulations, respects team members and patient's needs/ wants.

1. Initiates and maintains professional communication with every team member at all times including adverse, challenging and crucial conversations.

1. Safety

1. Integrates / interprets medical record info (past medical history, current medical status, lab values/ meds) include mental status, fall risk, further risk of deterioration, medical and OT examination

1. Considers / anticipates potential contraindication to movement/ OT participation, and physiological response.

1. Don PPE and determines as appropriate.

1. Survey patient and environment for safe movement barriers (lock all moveable objects, donning non-slip footwear, applying gait belt, clearing space sufficient to allow maximal mobility, prepare for minimal mobility as well, positioning beds/ chairs optimally, locating all lines, tubes, and monitoring equipment).

1. Identifies role of lines/tubes, specific precautions, and pre-positions patient/ environment to manage during ADL-tasks/ mobility.

1. Demonstrates basic understanding of treatment equipment as it impacts the patient's OT plan of care.

1. Independently seeks assistance from a team for managing patients requiring intensive monitoring when necessary for patient safety.

1. Patient Management

1. Gathers/interprets medical info to determine appropriateness of OT in context of medical instability/ unpredictability (right patient, right time, right setting.)

1. Analyzes medical info to formulate initial image of patient presentation.

1. Creates clear/ defensible documentation, articulating clinical decision making.

1. Reflects all relevant aspects of patient encounter in manner understandable by all members involved (including patient medical status, safety items, parameters that guide intervention).

1. Timely documents following care to establish patient medical status / facilitate healthcare provider communication.

1. Documents re-evaluations as needed to update patient's plan of care.

1. Uses clinical judgment to determine when immediate communication beyond documentation is required for safe coordinated patient care.

1. Discharge Planning

1. Determines destination, level of support, need for continuity of care post-acute/ rehab settings (rehab, outpatient, home, subacute or other) additional services, and follow-up needs.

1. Critically assesses patient safety (cognition, function).

1. Determines optimal equipment needs, considering reasonable and necessary standards in context with available funding and patient's individual circumstances.

1. Synthesizes patient's life context (pre-hospitalization status, age, suitability of home environment, caregiver support; follow-up/ transportation needs; risk factors for re-hospitalization; economic resources).

1. Assesses expectations and desires of stake holders (patient, family, caregiver, medical services, surgical services.

1. Understands regulations imposed by healthcare systems and payers.

Requirements

• Education:Degree in Occupational Therapy
• Experience:
• Licensure: Active New York State Occupational Therapy License
• Certifications: CPR

• Physical Requirements: Ability to move/ lift patients with assistance