Occupational Therapist - Newcastle, Wyoming

Symbii Home Health and Hospice South•Gillette, WY

About The Position

The Occupational Therapist is responsible for implementing standards of care for occupational therapy services and adhering to the conditions outlined in the Service Agreement. The role provides home health occupational therapy, develops individualized plans of care with patients and caregivers, and coordinates services with physicians and other health care practitioners. The therapist evaluates patients’ functional abilities and home environments, develops treatment programs and goals, maintains clinical documentation, and contributes to coordinated care, quality improvement, and discharge planning. The role may also include supervising Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants and, when therapy is the only skilled service, instructing, supervising, and evaluating home health aide care every two weeks.

Requirements

Must be licensed where the HHA is located if licensure is required.
Graduate of an occupational therapy program accredited by ACOTE of AOTA or a successor organization.
Must be eligible for or have taken the occupational therapy certification examination administered by NBCOT.
Two years of clinical experience as an occupational therapist.
Good verbal and written communication and organizational skills.
Current CPR certification.
Ability to drive and/or access transportation for agency-related travel.
Valid driver’s license, automobile insurance coverage, and access to an automobile.

Responsibilities

Assume responsibility for ongoing interdisciplinary assessment and development of an individualized plan of care in partnership with the patient, representative, and caregivers.
Provide services ordered by the physician and indicated in the plan of care.
Provide counseling and education to patients, caregivers, and families.
Communicate with the physician responsible for the home health plan of care and other appropriate health care practitioners about the current plan.
Evaluate patients’ functional status, including muscle function, endurance, visual coordination, communication skills, self-care ability, and work capacity.
Evaluate the home environment for hazards or barriers to independent living and identify equipment needs.
Participate in developing the total plan of care.
For patients planning to return to work, perform work capacity evaluations and refer them to specialized vocational training when appropriate and consistent with Organization policy.
Develop treatment programs and establish goals for improved function.
Teach new skills or retrain patients in daily activities affected by illness or injury, in accordance with Organization policy.
Fabricate splints and instruct patients in the use of adaptive equipment when appropriate.
Train patients in the use of prosthetic and orthotic devices when appropriate.
Maintain clinical records, notes, and reports to the physician regarding changes in a patient’s condition, and submit records in accordance with Organization policy.
Participate in and contribute to the HHA’s quality assessment and performance improvement program, in-service training, case conferences, and other required meetings.
Identify patient and caregiver needs for other home health services and make referrals as appropriate.
Instruct patients’ families, caregivers, and other Organization health care personnel in the patient’s treatment regimen when indicated and appropriate.
Supervise Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants according to Organization policy and state regulations.
When therapy is the only skilled service, instruct, supervise, and evaluate home health aide care every two weeks.
Participate in patient discharge planning.
Perform other job-related tasks as requested.