Occupational Therapy Asst- H

PACS

About The Position

The Occupational Therapy Assistant supports the Staff Occupational Therapist with resident-related activities and direct resident care. The role treats residents as directed by the Occupational Therapist and helps residents work toward treatment goals, independence in activities of daily living, and safe discharge planning. The assistant communicates routinely with the supervising occupational therapist and works with residents, families, caregivers, nursing staff, and other members of the interdisciplinary team. The position requires timely and accurate documentation, adherence to facility and regulatory requirements, and maintenance of a safe treatment environment. It also involves educating residents and caregivers, supporting staff training, recommending and arranging durable medical equipment, reporting equipment problems, and contributing to quality assurance and rehabilitation program development. The employee must maintain confidentiality and hold an active state license in good standing, meeting continuing education requirements. The role involves frequent standing and walking, occasional sitting and other movements such as climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling. It may require lifting or moving residents and equipment, with exertion that may occasionally exceed 100 pounds, frequently exceed 50 pounds, or constantly exceed 20 pounds. The work environment is usually low to moderate in noise level. Reasonable accommodations may be made in accordance with applicable law.

Requirements

Associate Degree from an accredited COTA program.
Proficiency with computer skills such as entering data into Net Health and Point Click Care.
Ability to read technical procedures and comprehend policy and procedure manuals.
Ability to present information effectively and respond to questions from managers, coworkers, and families.
Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
Ability to solve practical problems and interpret written, oral, diagrammed, or scheduled instructions.
State licensure as an Occupational Therapist Assistant; maintain the license in good standing and meet state continuing education requirements.
CPR certification, if required by licensure.
Ability to stand and walk frequently and sit occasionally; ability to occasionally climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl as needed.
Ability to reach, push, pull, lift, and manipulate objects and equipment, including exertion that may occasionally exceed 100 pounds, frequently exceed 50 pounds, or constantly exceed 20 pounds.
Ability to communicate by talking and hearing, perceive and respond to tactile, auditory, and visual information, and safely assist, support, and transport residents.

Nice To Haves

Additional certification as appropriate per facility.

Responsibilities

Treat residents as directed by the Occupational Therapist.
Complete timely, accurate, and compliant documentation in accordance with facility, governmental, and third-party payer requirements.
Maintain a safe treatment environment by following infection control, safety, and equipment maintenance protocols.
Participate in Resident Care conferences and/or rehabilitation meetings as needed.
Assist the nursing department with training Restorative Aides.
Communicate routinely with the supervising occupational therapist to ensure timely updates to physicians, nursing staff, the interdisciplinary team, residents, and families regarding progress, goals, and discharge planning.
Provide in-services on training programs for other facility staff as needed.
Educate residents, families, and caregivers on treatment goals, home exercise and maintenance programs, safety techniques, and fall prevention strategies.
Recommend and facilitate ordering necessary durable medical equipment to support residents' independence in activities of daily living, such as adaptive equipment, splints, assistive devices, elevated toilet seats, and grab bars.
Maintain confidentiality of residents' and company information.
Report department equipment problems so equipment can be maintained in good working order.
Contribute to quality assurance, performance improvement initiatives, and facility rehabilitation program development as assigned.
Relate positively, effectively, and appropriately with residents, families, staff, and professional colleagues.
Assist, support, and transport residents in accordance with safe resident handling practices.