Occupational Therapist (OT)

Position:  Occupational Therapist (OT)

Job Summary: Provide skilled therapy intervention and treatment to patients in the home setting. This care includes appropriate utilization of treatment plans and assessment skills. Careful monitoring of the patient’s status and progress toward goals as well as compliance with physician’s orders. Responsible for educating patients and caregivers while preparing the patient/caregiver for discharge as appropriate.

Qualifications/Educational Requirements: 

1. A person who

1. (1) Is licensed or otherwise regulated, if applicable, as an Occupational Therapist by the State in which practicing, unless licensure does not apply;
   1. Graduated after successful completion of an Occupational Therapist education program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. (AOTA), or successor organizations of ACOTE; and
   2. Is eligible to take, or has successfully completed the entry-level certification examination for Occupational Therapists developed and administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. (NBCOT).

1. On or before December 31, 2009—

1. 1. Is licensed or otherwise regulated, if applicable, as an Occupational Therapist by the State in which practicing; or
   2. When licensure or other regulation does not apply—
      1. Graduated after successful completion of an Occupational Therapist education program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. (AOTA) or successor organizations of ACOTE; and
      2. Is eligible to take, or has successfully completed the entry-level certification examination for Occupational Therapists developed and administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc., (NBCOT).

1. On or before January 1, 2008—
   1. Graduated after successful completion of an occupational therapy program accredited jointly by the committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation of the American Medical Association and the American Occupational Therapy Association; or

1. 1. Is eligible for the National Registration Examination of the American Occupational Therapy Association or the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy.
2. On or before December 31, 1977—
   1. Had 2 years of appropriate experience as an Occupational Therapist; and
   2. Had achieved a satisfactory grade on an Occupational Therapist proficiency examination conducted, approved, or sponsored by the U.S. Public Health Service.
3. If educated outside the United States, on or after January 1, 2008 must meet all of the following:
   1. Graduated after successful completion of an Occupational Therapist education program accredited as substantially equivalent to Occupational Therapist entry level education in the United States by one of the following:
      1. The Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE).
      2. Successor organizations.
      3. The World Federation of Occupational Therapists.
      4. A credentialing body approved by the American Occupational Therapy Association.
   2. Successfully completed the entry-level certification examination for Occupational Therapists developed and administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. (NBCOT).

Responsibilities/essential functions: The person in this position must be able to perform the following essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodations.

1. Implement occupational therapy services in accordance with physician’s plan of treatment. *
2. Assist the physician in the evaluation and assessment of the client’s level of
   functioning by applying appropriate tests and assist in the development and revision of the plan of care. *
3. Treat the client through use of therapeutic activities designed to restore function and self care activities for improving function. *
4. Observe record and report the clients’ reaction to treatment and any changes in the clients’ condition to the physician, Director of Nurses and Case Manager. *
5. Educate client/caregiver and health care team in the phases of occupational therapy in which they may assist the client, in the use of adaptive devices, and durable medical equipment, as appropriate. *
6. Provides staff in-service education as directed by DON.
7. Assess and regularly re-evaluate the needs of the client, develop, implement and revise the client’s plan of care. *
8. Initiate diagnostic, preventive and rehabilitative procedures as appropriate to the client’s care safety. *
9. Assist with plan of care and maintain continuity of multidisciplinary clients whenever needed to ensure good coordination of care.
10. Promote coordination of care through interdisciplinary case conferences and communication with physician and field staff. *
11. Develop, prepare and maintain individualized client care progress records with accuracy, timeliness and according to policies. Submit accurate documentation in accordance with agency policies. *
12. Keep abreast of occupational trends and knowledge for service provision, documentation and care coordination.
13. Participate in staff meetings, in-service programs and Utilization reviews.
14. Participate in the agency’s quality improvement program. *
15. Supervise the Occupational Therapy Aide at least every 30 days.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those required by an employee to perform to the essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodations.

Physical Elements

• Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities, with or without reasonable accommodation, to enable the employee to communicate effectively;
• Sufficient vision or other powers of observation, with or without reasonable accommodation, to enable the employee to review a wide variety of materials in electronic or hard copy form;
• Sufficient manual dexterity, with or without reasonable accommodation, to enable the employee to operate a personal computer, telephone, and other related equipment;
• Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes, with or without reasonable accommodation, to enable the employee to safely lift, move, or maneuver whatever may be necessary to successfully perform the duties of their position;
• Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes, with or without reasonable accommodation, to enable the employee to efficiently function in a general office environment; and
• Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes, with or without reasonable accommodation, to enable the employee to efficiently function in a general office environment, with frequent travel to a variety of field sites.

Environmental Elements

Employee works in an office environment sometimes with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

Employee will have to travel to a variety of patient homes and perform in conditions that vary greatly depending upon the client’s home environment. Some homes will be clean, neat, and maintained at a comfortable temperature. Other homes may be cluttered, dirty, with an uncomfortable temperature.

The above list reflects the essential functions and other job functions considered necessary of the job identified, and shall not be construed as a detailed description of all work requirements that may be inherent in the job, or assigned by supervisory personnel.  This job description is used as a guide only and not inclusive of responsibilities and job duties.