Occupational Therapist - Home Health - PRN

VNA OF HANOVER & SPRING GROVE•Hanover, PA

5h•Onsite

About The Position

The Home Health Occupational Therapist evaluates, plans, and provides occupational therapy services to patients in their homes to improve functional independence, safety, and quality of life. The therapist works with patients, caregivers, physicians, and interdisciplinary team members to develop individualized treatment plans addressing physical, cognitive, psychosocial, and environmental barriers to daily activities. Hospice therapy may be provided as needed. Services must follow physician orders, agency policies, Medicare Conditions of Participation, and applicable state and federal regulations. The role includes comprehensive home-based evaluations; setting measurable goals and expected outcomes; providing skilled interventions; educating patients and caregivers; coordinating care; and completing timely, accurate documentation. Work is primarily in patients’ homes and requires travel throughout the assigned service area. Flexible scheduling may be needed to meet patient care needs.

Requirements

Graduate from an accredited Occupational Therapy program; a bachelor's, master's, or doctorate degree in Occupational Therapy is required.
Current Occupational Therapist license in the state of practice.
Current CPR certification.
Valid driver's license, reliable transportation, proof of auto insurance, and acceptable driving history.
Knowledge of occupational therapy principles, practices, and treatment techniques.
Understanding of Medicare regulations and home health reimbursement requirements.
Strong clinical assessment and problem-solving skills.
Ability to work independently in a community-based setting.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to establish positive relationships with patients, caregivers, physicians, and team members.
Strong organizational and time management skills.
Proficiency with electronic medical record systems and basic computer applications.
Required clearances at hire: Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Background Check, Pennsylvania Child Abuse Clearance, and FBI Fingerprint Criminal Background Check. Direct patient-care positions also require these clearances every five years after hire.
Ability to travel locally throughout the assigned service area; local travel is required.
Ability to lift, transfer, and assist patients as necessary; stand, walk, bend, kneel, reach, and perform repetitive movements; and safely navigate patient homes with varying environmental conditions.

Nice To Haves

Minimum one year of occupational therapy experience preferred.
Home health experience preferred.
Experience working with adult and geriatric populations preferred.

Responsibilities

Perform comprehensive occupational therapy evaluations in patients’ homes.
Assess activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living, home safety, cognition, strength, coordination, endurance, vision, and functional mobility.
Develop individualized treatment plans based on patient goals, physician orders, and clinical findings; establish measurable goals and expected outcomes.
Reassess progress and modify treatment plans as clinically indicated.
Provide skilled interventions to restore, maintain, or improve functional independence.
Train patients in adaptive techniques for bathing, dressing, grooming, feeding, and toileting.
Recommend and educate patients on adaptive equipment, assistive devices, and environmental modifications.
Provide therapeutic exercises and activities to improve strength, coordination, range of motion, balance, and functional performance.
Address cognitive, perceptual, sensory, and psychosocial deficits that affect daily functioning.
Educate patients and caregivers about disease processes, safety precautions, fall prevention, energy conservation, and home exercise programs.
Collaborate with physicians and interdisciplinary healthcare professionals to coordinate patient care.
Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings and case conferences.
Communicate changes in patient condition to physicians and appropriate team members.
Contribute to discharge planning and transition-of-care activities.
Complete documentation accurately and within established timeframes, including evaluations, visits, reassessments, care plans, communication notes, progress reports, and discharge summaries.
Maintain compliance with Medicare, Medicaid, accreditation standards, agency policies, and payer requirements.
Participate in quality and performance improvement initiatives and maintain confidentiality and HIPAA compliance.
Travel throughout the assigned service area and assist, lift, or transfer patients as necessary.