Occupational Therapist

LIFE Pittsburgh•McKees Rocks, PA

14h•$65,000 - $81,000

About The Position

The Occupational Therapist promotes and maintains Participants’ physical mobility and well-being at LIFE Pittsburgh centers and, when needed, in their homes. The role conducts assessments and treatments and provides teaching and counseling to Participants and family members. It coordinates and mentors restorative aides, center health aides, and home care aides to support restorative care plans. The Occupational Therapist assesses prospective and current Participants’ needs, identifies interventions and equipment that support safe community living, and collaborates with the Interdisciplinary Team to develop and monitor individualized care plans. The role focuses on restoring function and independence, supporting aging in place, educating Participants and caregivers, and documenting assessments, goals, treatments, progress, and communications. Services take place in adult day health centers and may also require travel to Participant residences, hospitals, nursing homes, or other settings.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited Occupational Therapy Program.
Current, valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy License.
Valid driver's license and automobile insurance.
Must have a vehicle for travel.
At least one year of diversified clinical experience with the geriatric population.
Experience working with and relating to geriatric individuals and their family members.
Ability to obtain and interpret information in terms of Participants’ specific needs.
Ability to read and interpret a medical chart.
Knowledge of human anatomy and the development of the Participants served.
Understanding of the range of treatment needed by the Participants served.
Well-developed organizational and interpersonal skills.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to accurately report observations.
Ability to relate well with seniors and their families, address sensitive issues, and facilitate problem solving.
Flexibility and ability to adapt to change.
Multicultural experience.
Ability to supervise COTAs and rehabilitation aides and develop restorative programs.

Responsibilities

Assess prospective Participants for the appropriateness of community-based living in a PACE program, identifying home safety modifications, access issues, durable medical equipment, personal care assistance, skilled therapy, and Participant or caregiver training needs.
Conduct ongoing assessments to identify changes in Participants’ strength, mobility, activities of daily living, range of motion, cognition, and other functional needs.
Develop and implement interventions to support Participants’ highest possible level of functioning, independence, and community living.
Evaluate current Participants for skilled or restorative therapy needs, including ADL and IADL retraining, adaptive equipment, durable medical equipment, pain management, caregiver education, and restorative programs.
Include Participants and their families in developing goals and interventions.
Instruct family caregivers and LIFE Pittsburgh and home health agency caregivers to support continuity of therapeutic care; follow up and monitor outcomes.
Coordinate with the Interdisciplinary Team to develop comprehensive care plans focused on restoring function and independence.
Document objective assessment findings, measurable and deficit-specific goals, treatment progress, and communications with caregivers according to established protocols.
Stay current with assessment and treatment protocols and industry standards for the geriatric population with physical and mental disabilities.
Communicate effectively with Participants, caregivers, colleagues, and the Interdisciplinary Team to support collaboration, information sharing, and consensus.
Assess and treat geriatric functional areas including self-care, bed mobility, hygiene, grooming, dressing, driver screens, power wheelchair use and assessment, wheelchair positioning, feeding, pressure relief, edema control, perceptual-motor deficits, weakness, sensory deficits, and cognitive limitations.
Present recommendations for interventions, treatments, and equipment to the Interdisciplinary Team based on objective assessment findings.
Provide services promptly and professionally, treating Participants, families, coworkers, and external contacts with tact, patience, and courtesy.
Supervise COTAs and rehabilitation aides and develop restorative programs.
Travel to Participant residences, hospitals, nursing homes, or other settings as needed.