Occupational Therapist (Home Based Primary Care)

Veterans Health Administration•Iron Mountain, MI

13h•Remote

About The Position

This employee provides skilled Occupational Therapy (OT) services to the Medical Center in the outpatient, inpatient, and acute rehabilitation with the primary focus on the home setting. The duties and responsibilities are carried out throughout the medical center including all clinical and patient care areas involved with the service. The incumbent operates under the direction of the HBPC Program Director/designee. The Occupational Therapist at this grade level practices independently and is responsible for the assessment of functional and occupational roles using standardized tools. The OT at this grade level serve as OT practitioners in a career developmental position progressively expanding their ability to provide assessment and treatment interventions for a wide range of human function systems. The entry level therapist has a basic foundation of OT and generally practices independently and receive guidance from more experienced therapists. Develops an understanding of the theories of treatment in occupational therapy and their proper application through the use of activity analysis, behavioral intervention, frame of references, and therapeutic procedures. Serves as the HBPC Occupational Therapist and is responsible for providing comprehensive evaluation for all OT needs of HBPC and PMRS patients. This may require an: assessment of mentation relative to successful therapy participation, neuromuscular status, respiratory status, and functional capabilities. Evaluation requires an understanding of all basic underlying medical conditions and past orthopedic, cardiac, or neurological problems. Frequency, duration, and discharge planning will be addressed. Maintains and submits documentation relative to patient visits in the electronic health record. Determines attainable goals for each patient and designs the initial treatment plan. Modifications are made as the patient progresses and goals are met. Provides OT to acutely and chronically ill patients requiring ongoing assessment and frequent treatment modifications. Recommends equipment the patient will need for optimal functioning in their home environment. Attends conferences, workshops, and other continuing education programs to gain insight into therapeutic and motivational patient strategies. Attendees are expected to disseminate this learned information to appropriate staff via report; in-service or case study presentation. Provides formal and informal Nursing and support staff education including, but not limited to, proper utilization of ambulation aids, proper wheelchair seating, activities of daily living status, and range of motion. Communicate patient progress and proposed OT interventions to facilitate that progress via electronic notes, phone, or staff meetings. Is an active participant in weekly interdisciplinary HBPC team meetings. This involves providing up-to-date assessments and progress toward functional goals. Assesses patient/family educational needs, abilities, and barriers to learning. From this information, the Occupational Therapist establishes appropriate educational agendas. The therapist instructs the patient and/or caregiver in therapeutic exercises, living environment safety, strategies to enhance activities of daily living (ADL) status, work simplification, and the appropriate utilization of durable medical equipment or prosthetics and related topics. Assists during emergency situations including initiating and/or assisting with basic life support/ CPR. Demonstrates Patient Centered Care (PCC) through the use of effective communication with patients, families, visitors, and members of the interdisciplinary team, including the patient in mutual goal setting, and providing patient advocacy when appropriate. Visibly demonstrates the ICARE (Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, Excellence) Core Values in interactions with Veterans, staff, and other stakeholders. Additional duties as assigned.

Requirements

Must be a U.S. Citizen.
Selective Service Registration required for males born after 12/31/1959.
Proficient in written and spoken English.
Subject to background/security investigation.
Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
Acceptable forms of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements.
Must pass pre-employment evaluation.
Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required.
Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section.
Must serve a 1 or 2-year trial period.
Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy and two (2) years of experience as an occupational therapist; OR Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy and two (2) full years of graduate education in a related field; OR Master's Degree or higher in occupational therapy.
Graduate of a degree program in occupational therapy approved by the ACOTE or predecessor organizations, including an internship.
Current NBCOT certification as an OT.
Full, current, and unrestricted state license to practice occupational therapy.
Proficient in spoken and written English.

Nice To Haves

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Responsibilities

Provides skilled Occupational Therapy (OT) services with a primary focus on the home setting.
Conducts comprehensive evaluations for all OT needs of HBPC and PMRS patients, assessing mentation, neuromuscular status, respiratory status, and functional capabilities.
Develops initial treatment plans with attainable goals and modifies them as the patient progresses.
Provides OT to acutely and chronically ill patients requiring ongoing assessment and frequent treatment modifications.
Recommends necessary equipment for optimal patient functioning in their home environment.
Attends continuing education programs and disseminates learned information to staff.
Provides formal and informal education to Nursing and support staff on topics such as ambulation aids, wheelchair seating, and ADL status.
Communicates patient progress and proposed OT interventions to facilitate progress.
Participates in weekly interdisciplinary HBPC team meetings, providing assessments and progress updates.
Assesses patient/family educational needs and instructs them in therapeutic exercises, safety, ADL strategies, and equipment utilization.
Assists during emergency situations, including basic life support/CPR.
Demonstrates Patient Centered Care (PCC) and ICARE Core Values in all interactions.