Occupational Therapist

Position Title:		OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
Department:		Home Health/Hospice – Clinical Operations
Reports to:		Therapy Manager

 

• Assist physicians in evaluating the patient’s level of function by applying diagnostic and prognostic procedures.
• Guide the patient in his/her use of therapeutic, creative, and self-care activities for the purpose of improving function.
• Observe, record, and report to the physician the patient’s reaction to treatment and any change in the patient’s condition.
• Instruct and inform other health team personnel including, when appropriate family members in certain phases of occupational therapy in which they may work with the patient.
• Document each visit made to the patient and incorporates note into the clinical record.
• Provide in-service to other home health agency personnel as requested.
• Communicate and coordinate activity with the Director of Nurses, Nurse Supervisor and/or primary nurse assigned to the patient, the need for a continuation of therapy services for each patient.
• Participate in all related case conferences with agency staff.
• Prepares written discharge summary, with a copy retained in the patient’s clinical record and a copy forwarded to the attending physician.
• When occupation therapy is the only service ordered, the registered nurse shall make initial evaluation.
• Calls client/patient and schedules appointment for clinical visit.  Must arrive in a timely fashion to client/patients home. If unable to do so, must call client/patient in advance, arrange different appointment times, and document on daily paperwork.
• Submit a schedule of anticipated visits and will turn in clinical notes according to policy and procedure 1422.

• The Occupational Therapist shall conduct the initial assessment and establish the goals and treatment plan before the licensed and certified Occupational Therapist Assistant may treat the patients on site without the physical presence of the Occupational Therapist.
• The Occupational Therapist and the Occupational Therapy Assistant must schedule joint visits at least once every two (2) weeks or every four (4) to six (6) treatment sessions.
• The Occupational Therapist must review and countersign all progress notes written by the licensed and certified Occupational Therapy Assistant.
• In the Occupational Therapist/Occupational Therapy Assistant relationship, the supervising Occupational Therapist retains overall personal responsibility to the patient, and accountability to the State Board of Medical Examiners for the patients’ care.
• The Supervising Occupational Therapist is responsible for:

1. Assessing the competency and experience of the Occupational Therapy Assistant.
2. Establishing the type, degree and frequency of supervision required in the home health care setting.
3. Determining if supervision in excess of item #(2) is necessary and appropriate.
   

• The Occupational Therapist must be on the premises if the person providing the occupational therapy services does not meet the qualifications for the licensed and certified Occupational therapy Assistant.
• This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive and the employee will also perform other reasonably related business duties as assigned by management.
  

EDUCATION:		Must have current PT License
EXPERIENCE:		Minimum of 1 year home health care or related experience
REQUIRED SKILLS:		Detail oriented, organized, ability to multi-task
PREFERRED SKILLS:		Self-starter, ability to work alone under little supervision
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:		Lift 50 pounds routinely

• Full Time or Part Time
• Non-Exempt

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position.  Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with Federal and State Laws.

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities.  To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.  Continued employment remains on an “at-will” basis.