OT

PACS Group•San Diego, CA

About The Position

The Occupational Therapist evaluates patients within 24 hours or one business day of physician referral. If an evaluation cannot be completed within that time, the reason for the delay must be documented in the medical record. The therapist develops effective treatment plans, obtains approval for services from the referring physician, and treats patients in accordance with the physician’s plan. The role includes supervising Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTAs), aides, and students; assisting the nursing department with training Restorative Aides; and communicating with supervisors and other health team members about patient progress, problems, and plans. The therapist participates in patient care conferences, utilization review and rehabilitation conferences as needed, and staff in-service training. The Occupational Therapist maintains evaluations, daily treatment notes, weekly progress notes, recertification documentation, and records of treatment changes in accordance with state practice requirements, policies, and governmental and third-party payer requirements. The therapist also instructs families and nursing staff in maintenance programs and caregiver training, participates in discharge planning, and recommends and facilitates ordering durable medical equipment to promote patient independence. Department equipment problems must be reported so equipment can be maintained in good working order. The position requires positive, effective, and appropriate interaction with patients or residents, families, staff, and professional colleagues. The work environment generally has low to moderate noise. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy.
Licensed as an Occupational Therapist in the state.
Meet continuing education requirements under state practice requirements and maintain a license in good standing with the state board.
Proficiency with computer skills, including entering data into programs such as Casamba and Point Click Care.
Ability to read technical procedures and comprehend policy and procedure manuals.
Ability to present information effectively and respond to questions from managers, coworkers, and families.
Ability to apply fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
Ability to solve practical problems and interpret instructions in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
Ability to perform the physical demands of the position, including frequent standing or walking, reaching, pushing or pulling, and talking or hearing; occasional sitting and climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling; and exerting the stated levels of force to move objects.
Ability to meet the position’s vision requirements, including close, distance, color, peripheral, and depth perception and adjusting focus.

Nice To Haves

Graduate of a Master’s or Doctorate program in Occupational Therapy.

Responsibilities

Evaluate patients within 24 hours or one business day of physician referral and document the reason for any delay in the medical record.
Develop treatment plans and obtain approval for services from the referring physician.
Treat patients according to the physician’s treatment plan.
Assist the nursing department with training Restorative Aides.
Supervise Occupational Therapy Assistants in direct patient care and patient-related activities in accordance with the state practice act.
Communicate patient progress, problems, and plans to supervisors and other health team members.
Participate in patient care conferences, utilization review meetings, and rehabilitation conferences as needed.
Participate in in-service training programs for facility staff.
Record evaluations, daily treatment notes, weekly progress notes, recertification documentation, and treatment changes according to applicable requirements and policies.
Instruct patients’ families or nursing staff in maintenance programs and caregiver training in preparation for discharge from therapy services.
Participate in discharge planning.
Recommend and facilitate ordering necessary durable medical equipment to support patient mobility and independence.
Report department equipment problems so equipment can be maintained in good working order.
Relate positively, effectively, and appropriately with patients or residents, families, staff, and professional colleagues.