Occupational Therapist - CareWell Health

Job Summary

Plans and conducts individualized occupational therapy programs to help patients develop, regain, or maintain their ability to perform daily activities. Teaches patients skills/techniques and how to use adaptive equipment for participating in activities. Studies, evaluates, and records patients' activities and progress. Familiar with standard concepts, practices, and procedures within occupational therapy field. Relies on limited experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Performs a variety of tasks. A certain degree of creativity and latitude is required.

Essential Functions

Performs A Thorough Patient Assessment

• Reviews and documents history of illness and prior functional status


• Evaluates and documents physiologic and anatomical status.


• Selects and administers appropriate tests and measure accurately based on diagnosis.


• Assesses cardiovascular status.


• Assesses current functional status.


• Assesses educational needs and preference for learning.


• Evaluates need for adaptive and assistive devices.


• Incorporates age parameters and cultural/ethnic considerations during assessment.


• Assesses need for other services.

Establishes A Plan Of Care

• Bases plan of care on examination, evaluation, diagnosis and prognosis.


• Identifies anticipated goals and expected outcomes of all proposed interactions.


• Describes the proposed interventions taking into consideration the expectations of the patient


• Adapts delivery of care to reflect respect and sensitivity to individuality differences including age and culture/ethnicity.


• Includes frequency and duration of all proposed interventions to achieve the anticipated goals and expected outcomes.


• Incorporates cultural and age differences in plan of care.


• Includes plan for discharge.


• Addresses need for services.

Patient/Family Education

• Clarifies current knowledge/understanding.


• Identifies learning needs (disease information, equipment use safety, body mechanics, ADLS, exercise, pain management, plan of care).


• Assess barriers in learning/patients readiness to learn.


• Determines patients preferred method of learning (pictures/handout, reading, listening, demonstration).


• Identifies barriers to learning (cognition, mental status, vision, hearing, knowledge, communication, ability, pain).


• Documents appropriately.


• Instructions:


• Restricted to subject matter within scope of knowledge skills and training of instructor.


• Utilize proper teaching techniques.


• Maintain/enhance learner’s interest.


• Result in desired performance appropriate to the activity to be performed.


• Be modified as appropriated to meet learner’s needs.

Competent In Use Of Modality Equipment

• Knowledgeable in treatment parameters (of all modalities).


• Verbalizes and demonstrates knowledge in indications/contraindications of each modality.


• Demonstrates correct use of equipment/procedure.


• Provides patient education regarding specific treatment and desirable results.


• Ensures patient level of understanding prior to administering treatment.


• Properly prepares and drapes (if appropriate) patient prior to treatment.


• Observes and checks patient/skin conditions before and after treatment.


• Assesses patient’s response to treatment and modifies parameters accordingly.


• Provides call bell or safety alert mechanism to patient.


• Appropriately administers treatment frequency.

Provides Care In A Safe Manner

• Dons appropriate PPE and follows handwashing procedures to prevent infection.


• Monitors vital signs appropriately.


• Can state contraindications for entry into rehabilitation program.


• Can state criteria for termination of session or modify program.


• Follows weightbearing guidelines.


• Identifies as per policy when to delay treatment and request further physician orders.


• Follows up with timely communication with other healthcare team members findings with other healthcare professions for safe management of the patient.


• Ensures efficient coordination of overall healthcare plan through effective communication with patients, colleagues, staff and interdisciplinary team members.


• Remains alert to and documents progress favorable or unfavorable reaction to treatment.


• Practices in a safe manner that minimizes risk to self and others.

Documentation

• Documentation is legible.


• Therapist does not use any unapproved abbreviations.

Documentation is accurate, complete and timely to support delivery of service.

Other

• Adheres to all ethical and legal practice standards.


• Performs other duties as requested.


• Manages resources (time, space and equipment) to achieve goals of department


• Performs other duties as requested by director /therapist to facilitate department operations and to assure provision of a safe, efficient, cost effective, customer friendly and quality service

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Minimum Education/Certifications

Education: M.S. or post graduate work in Occupational Therapy from an AOTA accredited program

Ongoing continuing education courses in areas of interest

Licensure: Licensed as a Occupational Therapist by the New Jersey Department of Consumer Affairs

Minimum Work Experience

Experience: minimum 1 year clinical experience in acute care physical rehabilitation setting treating orthopedic, geriatric or neurological cases.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

Physical Requirements:

Working Conditions

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Must be able to lift, transport, and/or transfer patients and/or equipment

Must be able to walk, stand and bend for extended periods of time

Must be able to provide heavy manual resistance while exercising patients.

Must possess good manual dexterity and good visual and hearing acuity

MENTAL DEMANDS: calculating, computing, data entry, supervising, editing, reading and writing, evaluating , interpreting, consulting, organizing, analyzing, managing, planning, designing, documenting, specifying, coordinating, implementing, presenting, measuring, comparing,

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Must be able to read and write English. Excellent interpersonal skills. Must be able to work independently and complete tasks with minimal supervision. Must be able to perform several tasks simultaneously and in a timely manner.

Must maintain a professional demeanor in stressful situations. Must not pose a direct threat to the health and safety of self and others.

TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS: Occasional exposure to cleaning/disinfecting chemicals.

Possible exposure to communicable diseases.