Intern - Occupational Therapy Assistant

Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services•Grand Rapids, MI

About The Position

As a member of an interdisciplinary treatment team, the Occupational Therapy Assistant Intern uses clinical skills from their current training in occupational therapy and related areas to plan, organize, and implement ancillary services. The intern screens patients’ capabilities, needs, interests, and goals to support individualized treatment consistent with the team’s goals. The role includes therapeutic group programming, individual treatments as assigned, and providing spiritual, emotional, social, mental, and physical support to patients. Interns work in various clinical settings with diverse patient populations and are expected to demonstrate excellent customer service and enthusiasm for the program and Pine Rest organization. The position requires ongoing participation in safety management, crisis intervention and prevention, documentation, and communication with patients and the interdisciplinary team. The intern collaborates with the AT Clinical Services Manager and Recreational Therapy Leads regarding internships and departmental activities, maintains required annual training and competency, and models the organization’s mission and values through professional conduct.

Requirements

Be enrolled in an accredited associate or bachelor’s degree program for Occupational Therapy Assistant, or a similar degree program that leads to eligibility to sit for the NBCOT Certification Exam.
Knowledge of current therapy principles related to Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), psychoeducational interventions, expressive arts, and occupational therapies.

Nice To Haves

Relevant psychiatric, medical, or clinical experience is helpful but not required.

Responsibilities

Screen patient care needs and support or implement treatment plans in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team, reassessing plans according to patient needs.
Plan and participate in milieu programming, including teaching, skill-building, and therapy groups.
Provide individual treatments as assigned and appropriate.
Establish therapeutic relationships with patients.
Provide input to interdisciplinary treatment plans as a team member.
Monitor and report potential patient-safety risks to the manager and unit leaders.
Use processes that conserve financial resources.
Document and report information according to established policies and procedures.
Maintain a patient-friendly environment by following quality-improvement standards and acting professionally.
Participate in safety management, crisis intervention, and prevention, including monitoring, assessment, verbal de-escalation, and emergency psychiatric and medical care.
Work in various clinical settings with diverse patient populations.
Serve on committees as needed.
Promote positive communication among treatment team members.
Collaborate in follow-up with disciplinary action.
Collaborate with the AT Clinical Services Manager and Recreational Therapy Leads regarding internships and departmental activities.
Model the organization's mission and values through professional appearance, attitudes, behaviors, time management, and communication.
Provide spiritual, emotional, social, mental, and physical support to patients.
Maintain annual training and demonstrate competency in required programmatic training.
Perform other duties as assigned.