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General Summary

Under general supervision, plan and implement individual treatment programs for individual patients and patient groups, according to the principles and practices of occupational therapy. Provides direct occupational therapy services to referred inpatients and outpatients with medical and psychiatric diagnoses which result in functional limitations, in accordance with generally accepted occupational therapy standards and department procedures

Principal Responsibilities and Tasks

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.

• Performs a comprehensive initial evaluation, by administering a battery of standardized and non-standardized tests to evaluate the patient's level of skill and performance in the following areas: daily living skills, sensorimotor, cognitive, and psychosocial and identifies problems that require occupational therapy intervention. Gathers pertinent information from the patient's medical record to assist in problem identification and determination of precautions.
• Identifies problems and formulates appropriate individual treatment plans by prioritizing and establishing treatment goals that are objective, functional, and measurable, using occupational therapy theory and principles to guide the clinical reasoning process. Plans and selects the most appropriate treatment modality, method, or procedure to address goals. Selects and implements alternative methods or procedures when goals are not being adequately attained.
• Treats patients individually or in groups utilizing accepted occupational therapy methods, modalities and procedures such as range of motion exercises, strengthening, fine motor coordination, perceptual motor and sensory integrative activities, cognitive skills and retraining, Activities of Daily Living-self-care (ADL) and daily living skills training, orthotic fabrication (making splints), and psychosocial skills. Provides care while maintaining a professional demeanor and treating the patient with respect.
• Uses treatment procedures which address stated goals and plans. Performs continuous assessment of patient progress and modifies treatment plans. Analyzes the effectiveness of treatment in terms of goal achievement or when patient's progress reaches a plateau.
• Provides patients and caregivers instructions, such as home exercise programs and time management techniques that are specific to the patient's disability and level of function.
• Records patient evaluations, re-evaluations and care provided in the medical record in accordance with departmental documentation standards.
• Prepares written documentation as required by the profession and the department, such as patient evaluation results, treatment plans, progress reports, discharge summaries, and other such reports
• Records patient charges and procedures performed, daily.
• Participates in quality assurance activities, suggests areas for improvement to colleagues in a tactful and considerate manner. Suggests quality assurance topics and alternate treatment techniques to improve occupational therapy services.
• Assumes responsibility to resolve or report clinical and operational issues department leadership for resolution in order to assure smooth departmental operations.
• Attends and participates in clinical patient rounds and conferences as required, as part of the interdisciplinary patient care team. Communicates observations, facts and comments to interdisciplinary team members.
• Attends occupational therapy in-service training programs. Suggests in-service topics and speakers. Presents information concerning continuing education courses to occupational therapy staff at in-service programs.
• Oversees and directs the work of therapy aides, volunteers and students as directed by the department leadership. Requests Occupational Therapy Assistants', Therapy Aides; and volunteers' assistance appropriately.