Occupational Therapist Per Diem - Acute Care
About The Position
The Occupational Therapist plans and administers medically prescribed occupational therapy for hospital patients recovering from surgery or injury, or experiencing muscle, nerve, joint, cardiovascular, pulmonary, or bone diseases. Treatment is intended to restore function, prevent disability, and support discharge from the hospital. The therapist reviews physician referrals, patient conditions, and medical records to determine appropriate treatment. The role develops and delivers rehabilitation programs that help patients build or regain physical and mental functioning, adapt to disabilities, and practice daily living, functional, prevocational, vocational, and homemaking skills. The therapist coordinates with the rehabilitation team and other care providers, selects activities and equipment suited to each patient's needs and abilities, constructs and monitors custom splints as ordered, and recommends adaptations to work and living environments. The therapist evaluates treatment outcomes and adjusts care, guides assistants, mobility technicians, and students, and communicates with physicians, nursing staff, and case managers or social workers about discharge recommendations and barriers. This is a per diem acute care position at St. Tammany Health System. The listed shift is 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; scheduled weekly hours are TBD.
Requirements
- Bachelor of Science or master's degree in Occupational Therapy from an AOTA-accredited institution.
- Occupational Therapist license or permit from the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners; permit holders must obtain a license within 90 days of hire.
- Basic Life Support certification through the American Heart Association.
- Working knowledge of computer software, including word processing and spreadsheets.
- Good physical health and ability to meet the physical demands of the role, including lifting at least 50 pounds.
Nice To Haves
- NBCOT Certification is strongly preferred.
Responsibilities
- Review physician referrals, patient conditions, and medical records to determine occupational therapy treatment needs.
- Plan and administer medically prescribed occupational therapy to restore function, prevent disability, and facilitate hospital discharge.
- Develop and deliver programs involving functional, prevocational, vocational, homemaking, and activities-of-daily-living skills, as well as sensorimotor, educational, and recreational activities.
- Coordinate treatment activities with other members of the rehabilitation team and other therapeutic services.
- Select constructive activities suited to patients' physical capacity, education, and interests to promote independence, recovery, adjustment to disability, and readiness for discharge or return to work.
- Construct and monitor custom-made splints in accordance with physician orders or referrals.
- Issue or construct adaptive equipment and suggest adaptations to patients' work and living environments.
- Evaluate treatment effects and adjust treatment to achieve maximum benefit.
- Orient, instruct, and direct the work activities of assistants, mobility technicians, and students.
- Communicate with consulting physicians, nursing staff, and case managers or social workers to identify discharge recommendations and barriers in a timely manner.
