Home Health Occupational Therapist

SR COMPANIES LLC•Tampa, FL

47d•Onsite

About The Position

Provide skilled occupational therapy service, on an intermittent basis, to patients, in their homes, in accordance with the physician's orders. This role involves assisting the physician in evaluating the patient's level of function, conducting comprehensive assessments including OASIS, and evaluating the patient's home situation and available support. The therapist will ensure physician's orders are appropriate, assist in developing and implementing the patient care plan, and guide the patient in therapeutic activities to improve independence and functioning. Instruction will be provided on the care and use of assistive devices, and the family and patient will be taught the total Occupational Therapy program. Goals will be established based on the patient's current level of functioning and potential for improvement, with re-evaluations as indicated. Arrangements will be made for outpatient services when necessary. The therapist will evaluate the effectiveness of interventions, update the care plan, and prepare clinical/progress notes daily, incorporated into the chart within 48 hours. Regular communication with the physician regarding patient status and orders is required, as well as communication with other team members. The role includes supervising Home Health Aides and Occupational Therapy Assistants according to agency policy. Participation in agency activities, in-services, and meetings is expected, along with weekly confirmation of visit scheduling with the Clinical Manager. The therapist will participate in discharge activities and complete a discharge summary. Self-development through continuous learning is also a key aspect of the role. The role also assists in the agency admission process by obtaining medical history, evaluating the patient and home situation, and ensuring physician's orders are appropriate.

Requirements

Must be a graduate of an Occupational Therapy school, accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association or successor organizations of ACOTE
Is eligible to take, or has successfully completed, the entry-level certification examination for Occupational Therapists developed, and administered, by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. (NBCOT)
Must be licensed, or registered, by the state of Florida.
Must have at least one year of institutional experience.
Must have a criminal background check.
Must have current CPR certification.
On-line certification is not accepted.
The ability to drive and the ability to access patients’ homes, which may not be routinely wheelchair accessible, are required.
Hearing, eyesight, and physical dexterity must be sufficient to perform a physical assessment of the patient's condition and to perform patient care.
Must be able to effectively communicate in English.

Nice To Haves

Preferably, should be a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association.

Responsibilities

Provide skilled occupational therapy service, on an intermittent basis, to patients, in their homes, in accordance with the physician's orders.
Assist the physician in evaluating the patient's level of function by applying diagnostic, and prognostic, procedures.
Conduct initial, and ongoing, comprehensive assessments of the patient’s needs, including Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) assessments.
Evaluate the patient's significant other(s), and the home situation, to determine what instruction will be required and what family assistance will be available, in caring for the patient, as well as what other Agency and community services will be required.
Ensure that the physician's orders are appropriate and discuss necessary changes.
Assist in development, and implementation, of the interdisciplinary patient care plan to include Occupational Therapy, in consultation with the physician.
Guide, and instruct, the patient in prescribed therapeutic self-care and creative activities that are directed toward improving independence and physical and mental functioning.
Instruct patient in care, and use, of wheelchairs, braces, splints, and prosthetic and orthotic devices.
Teach, supervise, and counsel the family, and patient, in the total Occupational Therapy program and other related problems of the patient, at home.
Establish goals, based on the patient's current level of functioning, and potential for improvement and performs re-evaluations, as indicated.
Makes arrangement for outpatient services when procedures are required that cannot be given in the home.
Evaluate the effectiveness of occupational therapy intervention and update the patient care plan, as needed.
Prepare clinical/progress notes, on the day of the visit, which are incorporated into the chart, within 48 hours.
Communicate with the physician, on a regular basis, regarding patient's status, obtaining additional orders, if necessary.
Communicate with other team members and, when appropriate, instruct them in Occupational Therapy techniques that they may use while working with the patient.
Supervise the Home Health Aide, per agency policy, when Occupational Therapy is the only professional discipline involved in the patient's care.
Supervise the Occupational Therapy Assistant, every 60 days, per Agency policy.
Participate in Agency activities, in-services, and meetings, when appropriate.
Confirm, on a weekly basis, the scheduling of visits with the Clinical Manager in order to coordinate Agency visits.
Participate with the staff, the patient, and the physician, in discharge activities and completes an Occupational Therapy Discharge Summary.
Assume responsibility for self-development by continually striving to improve his/her health care knowledge through educational programs, attendance at workshops and conferences, active participation in professional and related organizations, and individual research and reading.
Obtain a medical history, particularly as it relates to the present condition.
Evaluate the patient, the patient’s significant other(s), and the home situation to determine what instruction will be required, what assistance will be available from the family in caring for the patient, and what other Agency and community services will be required.
Ensure that the physician’s orders are appropriate and discuss necessary changes.