Occupational Therapist (OT)

Mulberry Creek Nursing & Rehab Center•Martinsville, VA

About The Position

The Occupational Therapist reports to and receives general supervision from the Director of Rehabilitation. The role provides physician-ordered occupational therapy services to residents in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local standards and established policies and procedures. The goal is to prevent avoidable physical or mental deterioration and help residents attain and maintain their highest practicable level of functioning and psychosocial well-being. The Occupational Therapist evaluates residents’ ability to participate in daily activities, develops and implements individualized interventions with physician approval, monitors progress and functional outcomes, and adjusts or discontinues services as appropriate. The role also supports discharge and transition planning, supervises occupational therapy assistants, students, and rehabilitation aides, and provides instruction and training to residents, families, caregivers, and staff. The therapist must document services and resident responses accurately, follow safety and infection-control procedures, and honor and report residents’ refusals of treatment. Schedule: Full-time, weekdays and weekends, days, 8-hour shifts. Salary: $48–$60 per hour.

Requirements

Graduate of an occupational therapy program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE®) or predecessor organizations.
Successfully completed the supervised fieldwork experience required by the recognized educational institution where the applicant met the academic requirements of an ACOTE®-accredited occupational therapy program or predecessor program.
Passed a nationally recognized entry-level examination for occupational therapists.
Hold a current and unencumbered license, registration, or certification as required by law or regulation.
At least 1 year of experience.
Abide by the AOTA Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics (AOTA, 2000).
Abide by the AOTA Standards for Continuing Competence (AOTA, 1999) by establishing, maintaining, and updating professional performance, knowledge, and skills.
Working knowledge of occupational therapy practices, including the ability to recall commonly used information in source documents and understand the application of relevant principles.
Foreign-educated occupational therapists graduating from a school not approved by an accrediting agency must meet state licensure requirements or qualify as a foreign-educated trainee under the direct supervision of a licensed occupational therapist.
Adequate vision and hearing to perform essential job duties.
Ability to safely lift, transfer, and assist patients as needed several times per day.
Ability to stand for extended periods and move freely throughout the facility, indoors and outdoors.
Ability to carry objects to multiple locations, safely push wheelchairs and patient beds, and reach above head level several times per day.
Ability to perform tasks requiring mental reasoning, sequencing, and discrimination, as well as math calculations.

Responsibilities

Assess residents’ ability to participate in daily activities, considering their capabilities, the activities, and the environments in which they occur.
Participate in designated portions of initial and comprehensive assessments of residents’ occupational therapy needs and individualized care plans within established time frames.
Send billing information about occupational therapy services to the Business Office in a timely manner.
Use evidence-based research ethically and appropriately in the occupational therapy process.
Recommend additional consultations and treatments as needed.
Develop, document, and implement physician-approved occupational therapy interventions based on evaluations, resident goals, current evidence, and clinical reasoning; review intervention plans with residents.
Document changes in residents’ performance and capacities, and modify or discontinue intervention plans when goals are achieved, maximum benefit is reached, or residents do not wish to continue services.
Select therapy activities suited to residents’ needs and capabilities; adapt treatment programs as necessary and monitor, evaluate, and encourage residents’ performance.
Select, measure, document, and interpret expected and achieved functional outcomes related to residents’ ability to engage in activities of daily living.
Prepare and implement discharge or transition plans based on residents’ needs, goals, performance, and follow-up resources, including restorative nursing programs.
Supervise clinical services provided by Occupational Therapy Assistants, occupational therapy students, and Rehabilitation Aides in accordance with applicable practice-setting, government, payer, and AOTA standards.
Provide in-service training to staff and caregivers as needed and instruct patients, families, and caregivers in home programs, basic living skills, and adaptive equipment use.
Perform duties safely and comply with safety and infection-control policies and procedures; participate in fire, safety, and disaster preparedness drills.
Maintain safe working conditions and follow safety regulations when using modalities, equipment, and supplies.
Record occupational therapy services promptly and accurately, documenting the specific therapy provided and the resident’s response or lack of response.
Provide therapy in accordance with individualized plans of care; honor residents’ refusals of treatment and promptly report and document refusals to the Director of Rehabilitation.
Make informative and descriptive entries in notes and charts, use only facility-authorized abbreviations, and document therapy, responses, changes in condition, and other relevant information according to established policies and procedures.
Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, establishing personal networks, and participating in professional societies.
Maintain a current license throughout employment.