Occupational Therapist - Newcastle, Wyoming

Symbii Home Health and Hospice-Layton•Gillette, WY

About The Position

The Occupational Therapist, contracted through the Organization, implements standards of care for occupational therapy services and adheres to the conditions outlined in the Service Agreement. The role provides home health occupational therapy in accordance with physician orders and the patient’s plan of care, while coordinating with patients, caregivers, physicians, and other health care practitioners. The therapist assesses patients’ functional status and home environments, identifies equipment and service needs, develops treatment programs and functional goals, and supports patients in improving or regaining daily living and work-related abilities. The position also maintains clinical documentation, contributes to quality and training activities, participates in discharge planning, and supervises Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants in accordance with organizational policy and state regulations.

Requirements

Must be licensed where the home health agency is located, if licensure is required.
Graduation from an occupational therapy program accredited by ACOTE of AOTA or a successor organization.
Must be eligible for or have taken the occupational therapy certification examination administered by NBCOT.
Two years of clinical experience as an occupational therapist.
Good verbal and written communication and organizational skills.
Current CPR certification must be maintained.
Ability to drive and/or access transportation for agency-related travel; must have and maintain a valid driver’s license and automobile insurance coverage and have access to an automobile.

Responsibilities

Participate in ongoing interdisciplinary assessment and develop individualized plans of care with the patient, representative, and caregivers.
Provide services ordered by the physician and indicated in the plan of care.
Provide counseling and education to patients, caregivers, and families.
Communicate with the physician responsible for the home health plan of care and other health care practitioners about the current plan of care.
Evaluate patients’ functional status, including muscle function, endurance, visual coordination, communication skills, self-care ability, and work capacity.
Evaluate the home environment for hazards or barriers to independent living, identify equipment needs, and participate in developing the total plan of care.
For patients planning to return to work, perform work capacity evaluations and refer patients to specialized vocational training when appropriate and consistent with organizational policy.
Develop treatment programs and establish goals for improved function.
Teach new skills or retrain patients in daily activities lost because of illness or injury, as appropriate and consistent with organizational policy.
Fabricate splints and instruct patients in the use of adaptive equipment when appropriate.
Train patients in the use of prosthetic or orthotic devices when appropriate.
Maintain clinical records, notes, and reports to the physician on changes in patients’ conditions; submit records according to organizational policy.
Participate in the home health agency’s quality assessment and performance improvement program, in-service training, case conferences, and other required meetings.
Identify patient and caregiver needs for other home health services and make referrals as appropriate.
Instruct patients’ families, caregivers, and other organizational health care personnel in treatment regimes when indicated and appropriate.
Supervise Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants according to organizational policy and state regulations.
When therapy is the only skilled service, instruct, supervise, and evaluate home health aide care every two weeks.
Participate in discharge planning for patients.
Perform other job-related tasks as requested.