Occupational Therapist (OT) - Acute Care Per Diem

Advocate Health•Park Ridge, IL

18h•$38 - $57•Onsite

About The Position

The Occupational Therapist evaluates patients’ physical, perceptual, cognitive, social, and vocational abilities and how these affect activities of daily living. The therapist establishes and implements individualized plans of care, uses appropriate treatment techniques, provides or fabricates assistive devices and splints, monitors outcomes, and adjusts treatment based on each patient’s response. The role also identifies and addresses factors affecting patients’ physical and psychosocial comfort and communicates patient status to physicians and care-team members. The therapist plans and completes patient discharges, including home programs, patient and family education, community-service referrals, care transitions, and equipment orders when appropriate. The position requires accurate documentation, daily statistics, billing, scheduling, adherence to insurance and productivity guidelines, and collaboration with stakeholders to support patient care. The role includes maintaining a safe, orderly treatment area; using modalities and exercise equipment appropriately; following safety and infection-control measures; and participating in quality-improvement activities. The therapist manages an assigned caseload and may assist with coverage. Professional development and staff orientation may be part of the role. Depending on qualifications and applicable requirements, the therapist may supervise occupational therapy assistants, extenders, or students.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited school, or educational requirements commensurate with the date of graduation.
Maintain continuing education requirements mandated by applicable state professional standards.
Licensed Occupational Therapist in the state where the employee works.
Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification from the American Heart Association, obtained within 90 days unless the department leader determines it is not required.
Intermediate computer skills.
Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
Demonstrated organization, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
Successfully complete competency assessments and requirements for patient care consistent with site standards.
Maintain annual educational requirements for hospital-based certifications, such as DNV or CARF, as applicable.
Demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide age-appropriate patient care, including knowledge of growth and development across the lifespan and the ability to assess and interpret patient data in relation to age-specific needs.
Ability to sit, stand, walk, lift, and squat throughout the workday.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds from floor to waist, lift up to 10 pounds from waist to overhead, and lift and carry up to 40 pounds at waist height a reasonable distance.
Ability to push or pull with 30 pounds of force and perform a sliding transfer of 150 pounds with a second person present.
Ability to perform repetitive hand use, including simple grasping, pushing and pulling, and fine hand manipulation during massage and joint mobilization.
Functional use of senses to allow effective communication.
Ability to wear protective clothing as needed when exposed to electrical and chemical hazards and blood and body fluids.
Ability to operate all equipment necessary to perform the job.
No work experience required.

Responsibilities

Interpret physician referrals and evaluate patients’ physical, perceptual, cognitive, social, and vocational abilities and their effects on activities of daily living.
Establish plans of care and provide individualized treatment based on evaluation results and functional goals.
Provide or fabricate assistive devices and splints to support patients’ functional independence.
Monitor outcomes, adjust treatment plans based on patient response, and provide status updates to physicians and teammates.
Identify and address factors affecting patients’ physical and psychosocial comfort.
Plan and complete patient discharges, including home programs, patient and family education, community-service referrals, transition planning, and equipment orders as appropriate.
Communicate and collaborate with stakeholders to support optimal patient care.
Complete required documentation, including evaluations, progress notes, team conference reports, and discharge summaries, in accordance with department policy and accreditation standards.
Record patient care and progress; complete daily statistics, billing, and scheduling; apply insurance authorization and visit guidelines; and follow documentation policies and timelines.
Maintain department productivity standards.
Clean up after treatment, put away equipment, and keep the work area neat and orderly.
Perform manual techniques, patient positioning, transfers, and transportation duties using proper technique.
Use available modalities, exercise equipment, and other devices in accordance with department orientation and demonstrate knowledge of their indications and contraindications.
Promote patient safety and follow applicable safety and infection-control measures.
Participate in performance-improvement activities to resolve problems affecting outcomes and improve quality of care.
Manage an assigned caseload, inform site leadership of coverage needs and availability, and assist with coverage based on department and regional needs.
Pursue professional growth through continuing education, department in-services, and professional literature.
Orient new staff to clinical and department policies when requested and provide feedback on coworkers when requested.
May supervise occupational therapy assistants, occupational therapy extenders, or occupational therapy students in accordance with applicable requirements and department needs.

Benefits

Paid Time Off programs
Medical, dental, vision, life, and short- and long-term disability benefits
Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses
Adoption assistance and paid parental leave
Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs
Educational Assistance Program
Premium pay such as shift and on-call pay, depending on the teammate’s job
Incentive pay for select positions
Opportunity for annual increases based on performance
Career development programs