Certified Occupational Therapist - Home Health

Otterbein SeniorLife•Tipp City, OH

About The Position

The Certified Occupational Therapist provides occupational therapy to patients in their homes. The role evaluates patients, develops and administers physician-prescribed treatment plans, and uses compensatory techniques to help patients develop, recover, or maintain daily living and work skills. The therapist also helps coordinate durable medical equipment (DME) and safety devices with patients, families, and health care team members. The therapist assesses patient needs, establishes and updates plans of care, delivers skilled services, documents care in compliance with applicable laws and agency policies, and collaborates with the multidisciplinary team. The role includes patient and caregiver education, appropriate discharge planning, communication about changes in patient status, and participation in agency quality improvement, meetings, and required in-services. Occupational Therapists who supervise COTAs are responsible for monitoring delegated services and meeting applicable supervision requirements.

Requirements

Graduate of an Occupational Therapy curriculum accredited jointly by the Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation of the American Medical Association and the American Occupational Therapy Association; or eligibility for the National Registration Examination of the American Occupational Therapy Association; or the specified alternative qualification of two years' occupational therapist experience and a satisfactory grade on a qualifying proficiency examination, subject to the stated licensure-date exception.
Current Ohio licensure as an Occupational Therapist.
At least two years of experience as an Occupational Therapist.
Current CPR card.
Current health certificate or physical examination and TB testing results.
Valid Ohio driver's license and good driving record.
For Occupational Therapists supervising COTAs: two years of home care experience and one year of supervisory experience.
Ability to obtain the required continuing education credits to maintain re-licensure.

Responsibilities

Perform initial evaluations and ongoing patient assessments in response to patient needs and physician orders.
Initiate a written plan of care, and re-evaluate and update it as necessary.
Provide skilled occupational therapy modalities within the therapy scope of practice.
Document skilled care and services in compliance with federal and state laws and regulations, and agency policies and procedures.
Participate in case conferences to discuss multidisciplinary responsibilities, patient progress, and plans for continued care.
Support patient and family cultural practices when they do not harm others or interfere with the planned medical therapy.
Provide patient, family, and caregiver education using verbal and written communication suited to their cultural, ethnic, and personal needs or preferences.
Supervise Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTAs) in delegated services, ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and standards and that patient care needs are met.
Conduct regularly scheduled patient record reviews and conferences, and visit the patient's home with or without the COTA at least every 30 days unless state law requires more frequent supervision.
Plan discharge appropriately and provide information about community resources for ongoing needs.
Maintain knowledge of federal and state regulations and agency policies and procedures regarding patient care.
Communicate appropriately and promptly with health care team members, including physicians, about patient changes in status, findings, or needs.
Notify the physician, Director of Nursing, and other health care team members of changes in the patient's condition and any need to modify the plan of care.
Maintain current knowledge and skills.
Participate in the agency's Quality Improvement program.
Attend agency meetings and in-services as required.
Obtain sufficient continuing education credits to maintain licensure.
Maintain confidentiality of patient and agency information.
Assist with coordination of DME and safety devices with patients, families, and health care team members.