Full Time Occupational Therapist Assistant

St. Luke’s University Health Network•Bethlehem, PA

13h•Onsite

About The Position

The Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant functions as a member of the professional staff, providing coordinated occupational therapy to patients of all age groups under the supervision of a licensed Occupational Therapist. This role involves administering the occupational therapy treatment plan, facilitating patient's ROM, strength coordination, use of adaptive equipment, and functional mobility. The OTA communicates with the Facility Director or appropriate staff for total patient and family care, confers with PT in planning rehabilitation, and observes, records, and reports patient's response to treatment and changes in condition. Documentation must be timely, accurate, legible, and in compliance with agency policy. The OTA plans for discharges as appropriate, instructs other health team personnel, patients, and family members in areas of occupational therapy, and applies concepts of infection control and universal precautions. They accept clinical assignments consistent with their education and competence, meet continuing education requirements, and provide orientation to new orientees.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited school of occupational therapy with an Associate Degree in Occupational Therapy.
Current Occupational Therapy Assistant license in the State of Pennsylvania or New Jersey, based on work location, is required.
The Occupational Therapy Assistant shall work within the practice guidelines as defined by Pennsylvania or New Jersey state law (based on work location).
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association (AHA) or equivalent, required upon hire or to be obtained within 30 days of hire.
Must be able to sit for up to ninety minutes at a time.
Be able to tolerate standing for thirty to forty-five minutes consecutively.
Must be able to use hands/fingers to manipulate dials on machines.
Must have the ability to lift/move patients up to 200 lbs., push/pull patients weighing up to 200 lbs.
Must have the ability to occasionally stoop/bend, squat, crouch, kneel and reach above shoulder level.
Must be capable of tactile sensation as it relates to feeling for muscle spasms, texture and skin temperature.
Must have the ability to hear as it relates to normal conversation and ability to hear call bells.
Must be capable of seeing as it relates to general vision, depth perception, and peripheral vision.

Nice To Haves

One or two years’ experience as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant.

Responsibilities

Administers the occupational therapy treatment plan as developed by the OTR.
Facilitates the patient’s ROM, strength coordination, use of adaptive equipment and environmental modifications, functional mobility and safety issues as related to patients ADL performance needs under the supervision of the OTR.
Communicates with the Facility Director or appropriate staff in order to plan total patient and family care.
Confers with PT in planning rehabilitation for the patient.
Observes, records and reports patient’s response to treatment and any changes in patient’s condition to physician and/or clinical supervisor.
Documents the effectiveness and outcomes of care on an ongoing basis and makes revisions as needed.
Plans for discharges as appropriate in conjunction with OTR.
Instructs other health team personnel, when appropriate in certain areas of occupational therapy including activities of daily living, in which they may work with the patients. This includes the patient and family members.
Applies concepts of infection control and universal precautions in coordinating/performing patient care activities to prevent contamination and transmission of disease.
Accepts clinical assignments that are consistent with education and competence to care for patients.
Meets mandatory continuing education requirements.
Provides orientation to new orientees related to scope of practice.