Occupational Therapist

University of Utah Health•Salt Lake City, UT

13d

About The Position

University of Utah Health seeks an Occupational Therapist to provide patient-focused occupational therapy to people whose physical injuries, birth defects, emotional concerns, or functional problems interfere with their ability to perform age- and independence-appropriate occupational tasks. The role is based on the critical care team and covers the CVICU and other ICU settings; coverage may also include cardiac step-down units. The Occupational Therapist evaluates patients, establishes individualized treatment goals, administers therapy, and educates patients and caregivers. The role also includes recommending adaptive equipment, evaluating home or work environments, documenting care, consulting and co-treating with other disciplines, supervising occupational therapy assistants and rehabilitation aides, and contributing to quality improvement and staff education. University of Utah Health describes its mission as enhancing health and well-being through patient care, research, and education. The University of Utah is a Level 1 Trauma Center with five hospitals and eleven clinics.

Requirements

Current licensure to practice as an Occupational Therapist in the State of Utah.
Current RQI Healthcare Provider eCredential through the University of Utah Health RQI system; it must be obtained within 30 days of hire.
Additional license requirements as determined by the hiring department.
Ability to perform the essential functions of the job.
Demonstrated human relations and effective communication skills.
Ability to administer occupational therapy services and provide work direction to aides, assistants, volunteers, and occupational therapy students.
Ability to identify program needs, develop new areas of activity, and respond to emergency situations.
Ability to develop treatment plans and provide therapy according to individual patient needs.
Knowledge of current technology, insurance practices, and community resources relevant to quality treatment.
Knowledge of safety issues in patient treatment, including body substance precautions and body mechanics to protect oneself, patients, and personnel.
Ability to abide by the ethical guidelines of the American Occupational Therapy Association.
Knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the ages of patients served on the assigned unit.
Knowledge of lifespan growth and development principles and ability to assess patient-status data and provide care in accordance with departmental policies and procedures.
Ability to meet the stated physical and working-condition requirements with or without accommodation, including working conditions that may exert up to 50 pounds and may consistently involve moving patients or objects.
Ability to work in a healthcare setting with possible exposure to infectious diseases and possible interaction with prisoners or behavioral health patients.

Nice To Haves

The position is based on the critical care team and covers CVICU and other ICU settings; coverage may also include cardiac step-down units.

Responsibilities

Evaluate patients' abilities and limitations.
Establish treatment goals based on evaluations and referrals, including assessment of neuromuscular movement and stability, sensation, activities of daily living, perception, cognition, avocational and prevocational abilities, development, dysphagia, muscle strength, range of motion, and body mechanics.
Administer therapy according to established plans, using appropriate procedures, equipment, and techniques within occupational therapy's scope of practice.
Educate patients and caregivers about program goals, methods for achieving goals, home programs, and injury prevention.
Recommend adaptive equipment, complete equipment justification forms, and arrange delivery.
Re-evaluate patients, assess progress, and recommend discharge.
Evaluate home or work environments and recommend physical barrier modifications or ergonomic changes.
Consult and co-treat with therapists from other disciplines.
Document patient care according to established criteria.
Participate in continuous quality improvement projects.
Supervise patient care activities of occupational therapy assistants and rehabilitation aides.
Participate in services, medical conferences, staff meetings, continuing education courses, team meetings, and related activities.
Assist with departmental maintenance and supplies.
Provide in-services for staff, other departments, and the community.
Provide occupational therapy coverage for the CVICU and other ICU settings, with possible coverage of cardiac step-down units.
Participate in rotations of work area, weekends, weekday hours, and assigned holidays.