Occupational Therapist Assistant-Rehab-TRHC

Cherokee Nation•Muskogee, OK

About The Position

The Occupational Therapist Assistant administers occupational therapy treatments to patients under the direction of an Occupational Therapist at Three Rivers Health Clinic. The role provides health care services to eligible individuals under the applicable self-governance compact and funding agreement between the Cherokee Nation and the United States. It uses evidence-based interventions to support physical, cognitive, functional, psychosocial, and sensory performance and engagement in everyday activities. The assistant upholds occupational therapy professional standards, collaborates with the Occupational Therapist and other service providers, and considers social determinants of health affecting people with or at risk for disabilities and chronic health conditions. The position also monitors and documents patient responses and progress, assists with testing and evaluations, trains patients to use braces, prostheses, adaptive equipment, and home exercise programs, and coordinates care with other therapeutic activities. Additional duties include directing Occupational Therapy Aides, assisting with supplies and scheduling, participating in training and meetings, and maintaining patient comfort, privacy, and confidentiality.

Requirements

Associate's degree from a two-year college or technical school, or two years (60 credit hours) of coursework from a four-year college or university.
Graduate from an Occupational Therapy Assistant program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).
Possess and maintain an Occupational Therapist Assistant license issued by the Oklahoma Medical Board.
Possess Basic Life Support (BLS) certification and maintain it throughout employment; it may be obtained during orientation.
Possess a valid driver's license and a driving history that meets Cherokee Nation underwriting requirements.
Knowledge of principles, methods, and equipment used in occupational therapy and body mechanics.
Ability to understand and interpret complex written or verbal instructions.
Excellent customer service skills.
Ability to read and interpret safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals; write routine patient reports and correspondence; and speak effectively before groups.
Ability to perform basic arithmetic and compute rates, ratios, and percentages, and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
Ability to solve practical problems involving concrete variables and interpret written, oral, diagram, or schedule-based instructions.
Knowledge of Internet and word-processing software and ability to operate standard office machines and computer programs.
Must not be under sanction by, or listed as excluded by, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General or the General Services Administration.
Must meet and maintain pre-employment and periodic background investigation and adjudication requirements for child care.
Must be educated on and comply with HIPAA regulations and maintain strict confidentiality of client information.
No additional experience is required.

Responsibilities

Administer evidence-based occupational therapy interventions as directed by the Occupational Therapist.
Provide services to eligible individuals in accordance with the applicable Cherokee Nation and United States self-governance compact and funding agreement.
Collaborate effectively with the Occupational Therapist and communicate and work inter-professionally with other service and program providers.
Instruct, motivate, and assist patients in improving everyday life activities through functional therapeutic intervention.
Observe patients during treatment, evaluate and compile data about responses and progress, and report findings orally or in writing to the Occupational Therapist.
Assist the Occupational Therapist with patient testing, evaluations, and complex procedures as needed.
Fit patients for, adjust, and train patients in the use and care of orthopedic braces, prostheses, and adaptive equipment.
Orient new Occupational Therapist Assistants and direct and instruct Occupational Therapy Aides.
Perform clerical duties, including taking inventory, ordering supplies, answering phones, taking messages, scheduling appointments, and completing forms.
Measure joint range of motion, body-part length and girth, and vital signs to assess treatment effects or support patient evaluations.
Monitor treatments administered by Occupational Therapy Aides.
Coordinate occupational therapy with other therapeutic activities.
Maintain accurate records of patient treatments.
Help educate patients about home exercise programs and equipment use.
Participate in educational programs and in-service training and attend meetings.
Adapt techniques or equipment to patient-specific communication skills, motivation, stamina, and other needs.
Maintain patient comfort and privacy and protect confidential information.
Provide services in accordance with occupational therapy ethical standards, values, and attitudes.