Occupational Therapist PRN (Healthcare)

Job Title: Occupational Therapist PRN

Job Summary: The Occupational Therapist is responsible for evaluating patients within 24 hours or 1 business day of physician referral, developing effective treatment plans, and obtaining approval for services from the referring physician. The therapist will treat patients according to the physician's treatment plan, assist in training Restorative Aides, supervise Occupational Therapy Assistants, and participate in various patient care and rehabilitation conferences.

Key Responsibilities:

• Evaluate patients within 24 hours or 1 business day of physician referral. Document any delays in the medical record.
• Develop effective treatment plans and obtain approval from the referring physician.
• Treat patients according to the physician's treatment plan.
• Assist the nursing department with training Restorative Aides.
• Supervise Occupational Therapy Assistants in direct patient care and patient-related activities, following state practice act.
• Communicate with supervisors and other health team members regarding patient progress, problems, and plans.
• Participate in Patient Care Conferences, Utilization Review meetings, and Rehabilitation Conferences as needed.
• Participate in in-service training programs for other staff in the facility.
• Record evaluations, daily treatment notes, weekly progress notes, recertification documentation, per Occupational Therapy Board State Practice Act and governmental and third-party payer requirements.
• Record treatment changes per policy and procedures.
• Instruct patients' families or nursing staff in maintenance programs and caregiver training in preparation for discharge from therapy services.
• Participate in discharge planning.
• Recommend and facilitate the ordering of necessary durable medical equipment for patients to facilitate independence in mobility (e.g., braces, walkers, canes, elevated toilet seats, and grab bars).
• Report any problems with department equipment to ensure it is maintained in good working order.
• Relate positively, effectively, and appropriately with patients/residents, families, staff, and professional colleagues.

Supervisory Requirements:

• Supervise Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTA), aides, and students.

Qualifications:

• Education and/or Experience: Bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy; preference for graduates of Masters or Doctorate programs in Occupational Therapy.
• Computer Skills: Proficient in inputting data into programs such as Casamba and Point Click Care.
• Language Skills: Ability to read technical procedures and policy manuals; effectively present information and respond to questions from managers, coworkers, and families.
• Mathematical Skills: Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Reasoning Ability: Ability to solve practical problems and interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: Licensed as an Occupational Therapist in the state; must meet continuing education requirements per state practices and maintain a license in good standing.

Physical Demands:

• Standing and/or walking very frequently.
• Sitting occasionally.
• Reaching with hands and arms frequently, pushing/pulling very frequently.
• Talking and/or hearing very frequently.
• Tasting and/or smelling very frequently.
• Exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• Climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling occasionally.
• Close, distance, color, peripheral, and depth perception in vision; ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

• The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Additional Information:

• Management reserves the right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
• The above statements describe the general nature and level of the work being performed and are not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required.