Summary:

Under the supervision of the Director of Physical Therapy, the Occupational Therapist has the responsibility and accountability for assessing, planning, evaluating and implementing care for the patients assigned occupational therapy. The Occupational Therapist is responsible for adhering to all standards of Occupational Therapy Practice Act as they apply to providing technical therapy care, supplies, equipment and interventions to a designated patient population. This position provides clinical oversight and assistance of COTA’s who are caring for one of the Occupational Therapist’s patient.

Per the Departments Scope of Practice, this position requires providing services to Therapy Patients, ages between pediatric to geriatric in a manner that demonstrates an understanding of the functional/developmental age of the individuals served.

Responsibilities:

ASSESSES THE PHYSICAL, PSYCHO-SOCIAL, SPIRITUAL, CULTURAL, FUNCTIONAL, HIGH RISK AND DISCHARGE NEEDS OF THE PATIENT AND FAMILY.

• Completes and documents initial assessment/care within required time frames.
• Performs, reassessments/care at intervals as required or appropriate to the patient’s needs.
• Ensures physical assessment/care includes all major body systems.
• Ensures spiritual assessment/care includes actual/expressed needs.
• Incorporates cultural and ethnic factors into assessment/care.
• Timely reporting of weekly progress in interdisciplinary staffing and outcome measures.
• Establishes presence of consent/order prior to treatment/procedure.
  

DEMONSTRATES THE ABILITY TO ACCURATELY ACCESS AND DOCUMENT STAFFING, PATIENT CARE ACTIVITIES AND HOSPITAL PROCESSES.

• Uses computer system(s) appropriately.
• Documents in the medical record according to policy/procedure.
• Documents daily and weekly progress notes, cosigns for COTA's under their supervision.
• Daily charges/log will be turned in within 24 hours of providing therapy.
• Does charges on the computer prior to leaving work each day.
• Completes documentation of evaluations within 72 hours after admit and discharge summary within 5 days of discharge

OBTAINS KNOWLEDGE OF, AND DEMONSTRATES COMPLIANCE WITH INFECTION CONTROL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES.

• Practices Standard Precautions in patient care activities.
• Practices appropriate disease specific isolation as required.
• Appropriately handles and disposes of sharps.
• Demonstrates good hand washing
• Complies with FOAM IN/FOAM OUT of all patient rooms
• Complies with the fingernail policy
• Wears PPE when applicable.
  

PROVIDES FOR THE EDUCATION/TRAINING OF THE PATIENT/FAMILY

• Identifies and documents patient/family educational needs upon initial assessment and thereafter.
• Identifies barriers to learning.
• Provides and documents teaching based on identified needs.
• Teaches at a level of understanding related to the pt/family member’s level of education.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of instruction provided.
• Assessment, teaching and incorporates cultural and ethnic factors.
• Assessment, teaching and incorporates functional needs.

OVERSEES PATIENT CARE ON BASIS OF PATIENT CLASSIFICATION AND STAFF EXPERTISE TO ENSURE QUALITY OF CARE.

• Initiates the assessment of patient within 24 hours of consult.
• Demonstrates empathetic and positive attitude when working with patients.
• Conducts chart audits for accuracy and adequate documentation as directed
• Visits and interviews patient and communicates with families when present or necessary.
• Re-evaluates and modifies the plan of care, based on the patient’s response to the interventions.
• Ensures proper orientation of new therapy associates.
• Ensures competencies and licensure are current.
• Appropriately coordinates and/or delegates responsibilities to technical support.
• Assist in supervising and monitoring compliance of duties assigned to the techs and/or COTAs.
• Takes appropriate action to address issues.
• Demonstrates sound clinical judgment in decision-making regarding patient care.
  

PROVIDES FOR THE PLAN FOR THERAPY CARE INTO THE INTERDISCIPLINARY CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF THE PATIENT/FAMILY.

• Communicates effectively with associates, physicians and allied health team.
• Coordinates ADL program and therapy care with other disciplines involved, and with any COTAs or techs they are supervising.
• Involves other health team members, as necessary.
• Actively participates in 50% of departmental in-services and meets with manager for information missed in other meetings as documented on sign in sheet (attendance is for full- time associates, relief associates may read the minutes).

ASSURES THE RIGHTS OF THE PATIENT/FAMILY ARE RESPECTED AND MAINTAINED.

• Allows for privacy and modesty in the provision of care.
• Identifies self by name and title to patient/family.
• Utilizes AIDET when interacting with patients
• Reports suspected cases of abuse/neglect, if identified.
• Understands role of, and how to access, the Ethics Committee.

DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE OF UNIT SPECIFIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES AND THE ABILITY TO SAFELY AND COMPETENTLY USE UNIT SPECIFIC PATIENT CARE EQUIPMENT IN THE DELIVERY OF QUALITY PATIENT CARE

• Completes Unit Specific Annual Competency Checklist.
• Obtains necessary training prior to initial equipment use.
• Assures equipment is in operating order prior to use.
• Differentiates between patient complications and equipment malfunction.
• Uses medical equipment in accordance with manufacturer’s operating guidelines.
• Participates in performance improvement process.

Requirements:

Education/Skills:

• Masters Degree required
• Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited Occupational Therapy school.
• English required; bilingual preferred.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
  

Experience:

• Rehabilitative experience preferred.
• Certifications in NDT, metronome, Big and Loud preferred.
  

Licenses, Registrations or Certifications:

• Current Louisiana OT License required.
• Current BLS Card required.

Work Schedule:

5 Days - 8 Hours

Work Type:

Full Time