Relief Occupational Therapist, Inpatient

JOB SUMMARY

This paragraph summarizes the general nature, level and purpose of the job.

Within the scope of practice, the Relief Occupational Therapists at LPCHS provide intervention from infancy to adulthood to develop, enhance, or restore functional capacity of patients whose abilities to cope with tasks of daily living are threatened or impaired by physical illness or injury, psychosocial disabilities, aging process, or by developmental deficits. Under the guidance of Rehab Management, the Relief Occupational Therapist performs patient care and is responsible for all clinical aspects for patients including evaluation and treatment planning and progression. The Relief Occupational Therapist assesses, develops, applies and/or training in age-appropriate self-care skills, fine motor skills, adaptive behavior and coping skills, sensory processing/self-regulation skills, feeding/swallowing evaluation and treatment, use of standardized assessment tools, evaluation of functional mobility, adaptive equipment needs, parent/caregiver training and hospital discharge planning. The Relief Occupational Therapist may oversee and guide patient care responsibilities of Occupational Therapy Interns, Occupational Therapist Assistants and the duties of a Rehabilitation Aide.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The essential functions listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification. They are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

Employees must abide by all Joint Commission Requirements including but not limited to sensitivity to cultural diversity, patient care, patient rights and ethical treatment, safety and security of physical environments, emergency management, teamwork, respect for others, participation in ongoing education and training, communication and adherence to safety and quality programs, sustaining compliance with National Patient Safety Goals, and licensure and health screenings.

Must perform all duties and responsibilities in accordance with the hospital's policies and procedures, including its Service Standards and its Code of Conduct.

* Performs patient care tasks with medically complicated patient populations. Determines rehab prognosis and implements the clinically indicated therapy plan of care. Determines the therapy diagnosis and designs a clinically appropriate occupational therapy plan of care that focuses on maximizing outcomes while identifying the frequency and duration required to meet therapeutic, family centered goals. Administers appropriate assessment and treatment techniques during all phases of the rehabilitation process.
* Evaluates, recommends, and trains on the use of durable medical equipment. May fabricate devices as clinically indicated. Discharges patients from treatment as clinically indicated, with adequate discharge planning including equipment procurement and patient/family training. Communicates discharge plan appropriately to patient, family, and health care team.
* Identifies needs for equipment repair or upgrade to maintain quality of care. Makes recommendations for selection and purchase of specific equipment and supplies.
* Initiates and participates in interdisciplinary care planning to meet the needs of each patient and family, including participation in rounds and patient care conferences and communicating with and instructing other care providers. May contact community agencies as necessary to provide continuity of service between hospital and community.
* Ensures documentation and billing are timely, accurate and complete, including evaluation, assessment, treatment precautions, plan of care, progress notes, discharge summaries, and charges.
* Performs direct patient care with fundamental skills in clinical reasoning, problem-solving and treatment interventions; Assesses and treats assigned patients within the CA OT Licensing Board and AOTA (American Occupational Therapy Association) scope of practice including but not limited to ADL's (Activities of Daily Living), cognitive and perceptual status, swallow evaluation and treatment, splinting, equipment needs assessment, and functional mobility.