Summary
The staff Occupational Therapist is responsible for the evaluation and treatment of patients that may have physical, neurological, mental, cognitive, or developmental conditions that have resulted in disability or functional loss. The Occupational Therapist will determine the patient’s plan of care while providing and supervising follow-up care. He/she is expected to promote an efficient clinical workflow that leads to positive patient experiences and outcomes.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Responsible for supervising, monitoring and directing Occupational Therapist Assistants (OTAs), Rehab Aides, and OT/OTA students.
- Assesses patients and develops treatment plans in collaboration with physicians and other pertinent medical team members.
- Responsible for the initiation and follow through of regular communication with appropriate medical staff, patients, Optim team members, and management.
- Assists patients to develop, recover, or maintain daily living and work skills. Helps patients improve their basic motor functions and reasoning ability and to compensate for any permanent loss of function to reach the goal of having independent, productive, and satisfying lives.
- Helps patients in performing a variety of daily activities including occupational and leisure tasks.
- Demonstrates ability to effectively document and code for all therapy services provided per billing standards and regulations.
- Utilizes all standard occupational therapy interventions and modalities available to achieve the best outcomes for the patient.
- Completes hand and upper extremity patient evaluation and treatment which includes custom orthosis assessment and fabrication.
- Teaches the patient, caregiver, and/or family comprehensive home exercise programs to enhance clinical outcomes.
- Follows Optim Orthopedics and Optim Therapy’s practice policies and processes related to compliance, safety, and infection control.
- Documents patient treatment and outcomes in medical record per best practice standards. This includes accurately entering all patient information into the EHR system during the evaluation.
- The Occupational Therapist will participate in MIPS Quality data reporting to ensure the organization’s success with overall score reporting.
- Performs necessary tasks as needed and assigned to ensure clinic and department compliance and satisfactory patient care.
- Demonstrates a courteous, friendly, and professional demeanor.
- Assists the Precert and Office teams in identifying patients that require updated authorizations, referrals, and certified plans of care. Will complete required documentation timely to ensure patient continuity of care occurs in a proactive and timely manner.
- Maintains a high level of confidentiality.
Supervisory Responsibilities: Will be responsible for the supervision of Occupational Therapist Assistants (OTAs), Rehab Aides, and OT/ OTA students.
Competencies
To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:
Customer Service - Works well with patients, vendors, clients, and physicians by responding to their inquiries and promoting a positive image of the company. Maintains confidentiality and looks for ways to improve and promote quality patient care.
Teamwork - Accountable to team, respectfully appreciates the view of team members, open to new ideas and responsibilities, communicates with the team regarding overall patient care including using resources efficiently while working towards a positive patient experience and outcome.
Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures; completes administrative tasks, including documentation and coding, correctly and on time; supports organization's goals and values; benefits organization through outside activities; supports affirmative action and respects diversity. Adheres to all OO policies and procedures while maintaining patient confidentiality according to HIPAA guidelines.
Compliance- Adheres to all company compliance policies.
Dependability - Adheres to the company’s time and attendance policy. Meets deadlines and works independently. Identifies, troubleshoots, and solves daily situational problems that arise. Identifies when to involve management appropriately.
Productivity - Prioritizes and plans work activities to ensure the completion of daily tasks. Uses time efficiently, plans for additional resources, sets personal goals and objectives to meet departmental goals. Demonstrates an understanding of the department performance dashboard and performance benchmarks.
Job Knowledge - Competent in required job skills and knowledge; exhibits ability to learn and apply new skills; keeps abreast of current procedures and/or industry changes that may affect the department and/or patient service. Identifies and acts to progress with their annual professional development plan and goals.
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Employees may be required to work flexible schedules and/or some weekends.
Education and/or Experience: Bachelor's, Master’s, or Doctoral degree from an accredited school in Occupational Therapy. New Graduates, as well as experienced therapists, may apply. Hand Therapy experience and modality certification preferred.
Other Requirements: Current state Occupational Therapist license. Current BLS certification.
Computer Skills
To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of MS Word and MS Outlook. The Therapist will be required to learn and be proficient with the organization’s EHR system to ensure efficient workflow.
Performance Requirements:
Knowledge:
- Knowledge of Occupational Therapy principles, standards, and applications.
- Knowledge of physical, biological, and behavioral sciences as well as application of Occupational Therapy equipment, devices, and patient-specific therapeutic devices.
- Knowledge of clinic policies and regulations related to infection control, safety, and quality improvement.
Skills:
- Skill in evaluating and treating patients.
- Skill in proper use of Occupational Therapy equipment and devices.
- Skill in assessing and recording patient activities and progress.
- Custom orthosis assessment and fabrication.
Abilities:
- Ability to collaborate with patients, families, team members, and employers to modify workplace or home environment in line with patient’s condition, including identification of environmental factors and hazards.
- Ability to communicate with patients and families in caring and compassionate manner to encourage behavioral changes.
Ability to analyze patient data and behavior and modify treatment plan as appropriate.
Equipment Operated: Variety of therapeutic equipment.
Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
This position requires extensive physical activities including standing, stooping, lifting, bending, and twisting. The Occupational Therapist must be able to transport and transfer patients safely. The position requires an occasional need to lift/carry and move equipment and supplies weighing up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities are required for this job include both close and distance vision.
Work Environment: The Occupational Therapist will be working in the therapy gym and exam rooms. The Occupational Therapist may be occasionally required to provide care in a patient’s workplace or within the community. The Occupational Therapist will have exposure to communicable diseases, biohazards, and conditions related to the clinic setting. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
