Occupational Therapist

Encore Rehabilitation•Ocean Springs, MS

10d

About The Position

The Registered Occupational Therapist provides rehabilitation therapy to patients of all ages with temporary or chronic physical and mental disabilities. Treatment uses purposeful activities, including manual and creative skills, educational and recreational activities, facilitation techniques, developmental skills, and other techniques suited to patients’ needs. The aim is to improve physical function and promote mental adjustment. Treatment is provided according to written or verbal procedures prescribed by a medical doctor or D.O. The therapist evaluates patients’ physical and functional status and potential benefit from occupational therapy; plans treatment programs for inpatient, outpatient, extended-care, and stress-management patients; and evaluates, records, and reports progress to the rehabilitation team. The role also includes preparing and fitting ordered splints, requisitioning supplies and equipment, maintaining a safe department, using hospital equipment and supplies economically, and performing related assigned duties. The therapist maintains patient and departmental records, charts daily progress, monitors supplies, and may supervise certified occupational therapy assistants, aides, students, volunteers, and attendants. The position involves physical activity such as bending, stooping, lifting patients and equipment, pushing patients in wheelchairs or on stretchers, adjusting equipment, and providing resistive exercise. Physical contact with patients may be necessary. The therapist must remain attentive to patient reactions and may occasionally work under pressure or stress. Operation of electrical equipment is required.

Requirements

Satisfactory completion of an Occupational Therapy curriculum approved by the American Occupational Therapy Association.
Must be licensed or eligible for licensure by the Alabama Board of Occupational Therapy and certified by the American Board of Certification.
Knowledge of medical terminology to understand patient evaluations and chart patient progress.
Ability and willingness to work with people with temporary or chronic mental, physical, or developmental disabilities.
Ability to use arts and crafts in treatment to build strength, promote function in the upper and lower extremities, and support patients’ self-esteem and independence.
Good judgment and reasoning skills to organize activities and use available supplies in treatment programs.
A firm, kind manner when working with patients.
Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding personal information about patients and their families, disclosing it only when in the patient’s best interest.
Versatility in working with varied patients and treatment programs.
Ability to perform the physical demands of the role, including bending, stooping, lifting and pushing patients or equipment, adjusting equipment, and giving resistive exercise.
Ability to remain alert and attentive to patients’ reactions during treatment.
Ability to operate electrical equipment.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience is desirable, although it is not necessary when educational requirements are met.
Knowledge and experience in arts and crafts that can be used in patient treatment.

Responsibilities

Provide direct occupational therapy treatments to patients.
Evaluate referred patients’ physical and functional status and assess their potential benefit from occupational therapy.
Plan therapy programs for individual inpatients, individual outpatients, extended-care patients and groups, and stress-management patients.
Evaluate, record, and report patient progress for review by other rehabilitation team members.
Prepare and fit splints for functional upper and lower extremities as ordered.
Maintain patient and departmental records and chart patients’ daily progress.
Ensure patient safety in the Occupational Therapy Department and provide a safe treatment area.
Organize and maintain the treatment area in proper order.
Monitor supplies used for extended-care, physical-disability, and stress-management patients; requisition supplies and equipment as needed.
Use hospital equipment and supplies economically.
Perform related duties as assigned.
Supervise certified occupational therapy assistants, occupational therapy aides, occupational therapy students, volunteers, and attendants.