OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

The part-time Occupational Therapist I is responsible and accountable for providing examinations, evaluations, therapy diagnosis, interventions, and prognosis in accordance with established hospital and departmental policies and procedures.  Emphasis on managing daily clinical caseload efficiently including: effective treatment, and appropriate documentation and billing practices.  The Therapist I will participate in performance improvement and program development activities in accordance with departmental goals and objectives. 

Licensure/Certification/Registry:

• O.T. license in the State of Illinois, or license pending with an application for licensure on file with IDPFR and a letter of “Authorization to Work” from the State of Illinois. The maximum allowable time to practice in a license pending status/under a licensed Occupational Therapist is 6 months per licensing regulations. 
• CPR Certification OR complete certification within 30 days of employment. 

Other Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Ability to work professionally, effectively, and efficiently in a team environment with customers, management, co-workers and physicians
• Strong organizational skills a must
• Strong verbal communication skills
• Willing to be educated further to complete CEU requirements
• Must be able to multi-task effectively
• General office, health care setting – exposure to infectious disease.
• Requires moderately heavy physical exertion on a regular and reoccurring basis such as assisting patients in transfer activities (wheelchair to bed, to tub, to commodes) and providing substantial support to individuals in ambulation therapy.
• Frequently required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Occasionally required to sit.
• Occasionally lift and/or move over 100 pounds.

Specific vision abilities include close, peripheral, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

1. Interprets plans, establishes, and exercises proper treatment programs in accordance with the physician’s referral, periodically, reviewing the patient’s program and response and making recommendations to the physician relative to the need of continuing or discontinuing the physical therapy treatment. 

2. Assists the physician in evaluating disability, injury, or disease process of individual patients and in evaluating the patient’s level of function. 

3. Contacts the physician directly for patient reports and care as needed. 

4. Observes, records, and reports to the physician the patient’s reaction to the therapy program or any changes in the patient’s condition. 

5. Embodies the Memorial Health System Performance Excellence Standards of Safety, Courtesy, Quality, and Efficiency that support our mission, vision and values: 

• SAFETY:Prevent Harm - I put safety first in everything I do.  I take action to ensure the safety of others. 

• COURTESY:Serve Others - I treat others with dignity and respect.  I project a professional image and positive attitude. 

• QUALITY:Improve Outcomes - I continually advance my knowledge, skills and performance.  I work with others to achieve superior results. 

• EFFICIENCY:Reduce Waste - I use time and resources wisely.  I prevent defects and delays. 

6. Submits to the physician appropriate written reports to the patient’s progress at the designated intervals using appropriate and designated forms. 

7. Assists in determining the needs of the patient and in developing the total plan of care. 

8. Treats patients and their families with respect and dignity. 

9. Identifies and addresses psychosocial, cultural, ethnic and religious/spiritual needs of patients and their families/care givers. 

10. The clinician will need to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to ages specific to the patient population for the clinician. This could include the following groups:  infants (0-12months), children (1 year – 12 years), adolescents (13 years -18 years), adult (18 years-65 years), older adults (65 years +).  

11. Instructs, teaches and supervises patients regarding occupational therapy procedures as related to the patient’s therapy programs. 

12. Formulates a teaching plan based upon identified learning needs and evaluates effectiveness of learning, family and care givers are included in teaching as appropriate. 

13. May supervise occupational therapist assistants, rehabilitation aides, volunteers, or students in regards to patient care techniques and needs. 

14. Enhance professional development through participation in continuing education programs and in-service meetings. 

15. Attend and participates in meetings as required. 

16. Adheres to all applicable federal, state, local, and company maintained standards of care and ethics and policies concerned with the practice of occupational therapy and among other things, personnel qualifications. 

17. Meets productivity and utilization expectations as established by the facility. 

18. Completes timely clinical documentation to include functional goal-setting, progress and therapeutic approach as well as administrative/billing documentation timely and accurately. 

19. Assists in maintaining department policies, procedures, objectives, quality assurance, safety, environmental, and infection control programs. 

20. Assist in care and maintenance of department equipment and supplies. 

21. Performs other related work as required or requested. 

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job.  Incumbents may be requested to perform tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.