Occupational Therapist

General Summary

Interacts as an interdisciplinary team member with physicians in the evaluation, planning, education, and implementation of occupational therapy treatment plans.

Acts as a resource and liaison with community to meet vocational and physical rehabilitation needs of patients. Serves on committees and participates in inservice education. Participates in quality assessment and continuous quality improvement activities. Complies with all appropriate safety and infection control standards. Performs all job duties and responsibilities in a courteous and customer-focused manner according to the Hurley Family Standards of Behavior.

Supervision Received

Works under the direction of the assigned Director of Rehabilitation Therapy Services, Rehabilitation Therapy Coordinator, or designee who reviews work for conformance with Medical Center policies and procedures.

Supervision Exercised

May supervise subordinate employees engaged in occupational therapy activities in assigned area.

Responsibilities and Duties

1. Effectively administers occupational therapy evaluation techniques and interprets findings according to standardized or recommended guidelines. Takes into consideration medications and their impact on patient function.

2. Establishes objective, measurable, and functionally based treatment goals consistent with physician orders. Evaluates findings and receives input from patient and/or family members.

3. Develops care plans utilizing current clinical practices, techniques, and procedures. Appropriately selects therapeutic interventions, which effectively achieves desired outcomes. Makes changes and/or intervenes as necessary in response to patient reaction to treatment.

4. Routinely assesses patient and family learning needs, barriers to goal achievement, and patient risk factors. Documents educational interventions and/or patient referrals per departmental standards.

5. Documents and communicates as necessary with referring physicians and team members results of patient evaluations, progress/reaction to therapy process, and discharge recommendations/summary in timely manner and in accordance to Medical Center standards.

6. Maintains current knowledge of reimbursement issues related to delivery of occupational therapy. Ensures documentation is legible, complete, well organized, and meets third party payer mandates.

7. Demonstrates technical understanding and skill proficiency in performance of work as evidenced through competency testing. Complies with all professional and ethical practice guidelines.

8. Actively participates in departmental improvement activities. Contributes realistic feedback and insight into improving quality of care to patients, visitors, and referral sources in line with budgetary constraints.

9. Identifies own educational needs. Seeks to improve skill and knowledge through appropriate continuing education and/or professional organization involvement. Shares knowledge. Participates in departmental education and in-service programs.

10. Participates as fieldwork supervisor for occupational therapy and/or occupational therapist assistant students, as appropriate.

11. Manages daily work assignments and meets productivity expectations.

Schedules appropriate amount of time for patient evaluations, patient care, and documentation.

12. Performs other related duties as required. Utilizes new improvements and/or technologies that relate to job assignment.

Minimum Entrance Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited Occupational Therapy Program.
• Considerable knowledge of possible hazards to patients during treatments and necessary precautionary measures.
• Ability to evaluate, plan, and implement a treatment program for the individual patient.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with patients, employees, subordinates, and physicians.

Necessary Special Qualification

• State of Michigan Occupational Therapist license.