Occupational Therapist

Department Overview

The purpose of this position is to function as a member of the Rehabilitation services patient care team by

providing occupational therapy services such as ADL training, energy conservation, splint fabrication for

upper extremities, exercise, sensory integrations and perceptual/cognitive training to assist patients in

improving their function at home and in the community. Treatment also includes patient/family education, and various therapeutic procedures to assist patients in improving function, strength, endurance and functional mobility. Therapists evaluate each appropriately referred patient, establish treatment goals and objectives, develop and implement the treatment plan, and assist in the process of discharge planning and post-hospital placement. Therapists are expected to supervise therapy interns, assist with other educational research activities conducted by the department or the hospital and meet hospital standards regarding documentation and productivity. This position may include weekend shift rotation.

Function/Duties of Position

Evaluation and Caseload Management

• Prioritizes patient care needs given medical necessity, discharge plan, medical stability and appropriateness to participate in rehabilitation
• Evaluates patients to determine appropriateness of referral
• Identifies rehab potential, establishes treatment goals specific to the scope of acute care rehabilitation, including functional outcomes, quantitative measures and target dates
• Develops treatment plans to achieve identified goals
• Documents evaluations in patient’s medical record in compliance with DNV, OHSU, OAR’s and third-party payer criteria
• Enters accurate codes for services performed and bills time in patient care accurately
• Provides consultation in a time-efficient manner for patients, specific to care area; requesting orders and/or providing guidance to the patient’s team regarding activity or prevention of complications.

Provides skilled rehabilitation treatment

• Prioritizes care needs given medical necessity, discharge plan, medical stability and appropriateness to participate in rehabilitation
• Performs and documents skilled patient care activities, including direct treatment and caregiver/patient/family education
• Monitors and adjusts treatment plans specific to patient progress 
• Fabricates and adjusts splints to meet patient needs 
• Communicates patient needs and promotes carryover of strategies, precautions, etc. with nursing and other caregivers
• Updates recommendations to team regarding continuing rehabilitation needs and plan as patient’s condition and situations warrant
• Directs, supports and provides supervision as required for COTAs, aides and volunteers
• Develops and enhances patient care program and patient outcomes in specialty area
• Documents treatment and other patient contacts in patient’s medical record in compliance with DNV, OHSU, OAR’s and third-party payer criteria.

Clinical Education

• Provides evidence-based clinical instruction experiences and supervision for OT students 
• Ensure student completion of weekly goals; identifies and facilitates achievement of affiliation objectives
• Provides regular feedback and completes evaluations on schedule
• Participates in the supervision and training for students from other disciplines.

Care Coordination

• Collaborates with patient, family, and medical team in multidisciplinary patient rounds, ensuring a common level of understanding of the patient’s rehabilitation needs, and providing recommendations for rehab after discharge
• Requests patient/family conferences as appropriate, and participates in conferences representing department, heightens awareness of and advocates for rehab needs of patient
• Enhances patient safety both during and after hospitalization by assisting the team in problem-solving, including but not limited to vision, ADL, and cognition impairments
• Provides feedback and educates physicians, fellows, residents, and other health care providers about rehabilitation (including but not limited to medical necessity for skilled rehabilitation services and appropriate referrals and expectations for rehab outcome and intensity at various levels of care)

Service

• Demonstrates excellent customer service and communication skills in all interactions with patients and family, including both telephone and face-to- face situations
• Demonstrates active listening skills and supportive, professional behavior at all times, to patients, families and staff
• Addresses complaints and problems promptly and courteously, involving management when indicated
• Communicates with patients, families, and other healthcare team members in a timely and cost-efficient, courteous manner

Other Duties as Assigned

Required Qualifications

• Completion of an occupational therapy educational program that is recognized by the Oregon Occupational Therapy Licensing Board
• Limited Permit or Oregon occupational therapy license must be obtained at the time of appointment.
• Positions within person patient care: BLS certificate within 30 days of hire or prior to independent practice, whichever comes first

Preferred Qualifications

Acute hospital, SNF, inpatient rehab experience or student affiliation

Additional Details

Inpatient hospital environment. Ability to lift 40 lbs, repeatedly carry equipment weighing more than 5 lbs and walk extensively on hard and soft surfaces. Frequent bending and reaching to navigate medical equipment or perform treatment is required. Must have knowledge of inpatient medical environments and equipment such as oxygen, ventilation, respiratory apparatuses. Requires ability to respond quickly and appropriately to urgent medical situations that may arise