Occupational Therapy Assistant

American Addiction Centers•Macon, GA

13d•$25 - $38•Onsite

About The Position

The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) assists the Occupational Therapist (OT) in evaluating patients' physical, perceptual, cognitive, social, and vocational abilities and their impact on daily living activities. The OTA identifies and addresses factors affecting patient comfort and implements individualized treatment plans. This includes retraining and teaching compensatory techniques for residual disabilities in activities of daily living, adapted homemaking, bathroom transfers, functional mobility skills, and adapted work methods. The OTA monitors patient responses to treatment, communicates updates to the supervisory therapist, and plans for patient discharge by providing home programs, patient/family education, and ordering equipment under the direction of the OT. They are responsible for completing all required documentation, including progress notes, team conference reports, and discharge summaries, as well as tracking daily statistics, billing, and scheduling. The OTA also applies insurance guidelines for authorizations and visits, maintains a clean and orderly work area, and performs various manual techniques, patient positioning, transferring, and transporting duties that require lifting and pushing/pulling with proper technique. They demonstrate skill in using available modalities, exercise equipment, and other devices, understanding their indications and contraindications. The OTA participates in performance improvement activities, manages their assigned caseload, assists with coverage needs, and pursues professional growth through continuing education. They may also orient new staff and participate in coworker evaluations. This role requires the ability to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served, demonstrating knowledge of growth and development principles across the lifespan.

Requirements

Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) needs to be obtained within 6 months unless department leader has determined it is not required
Occupational Therapy Assistant license issued by the state of Wisconsin.
A valid driver’s license issued by the Division of Motor Vehicles.
Associate's Degree in Occupational Therapy Assist.
Intermediate computer skills.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Good organization, decision-making, and problem solving skills.
Must be able to sit, stand, walk, lift, and squat throughout the workday.
Must be able to: Lift up to 50 lbs. from floor to waist.
Must be able to: Lift up to 10 lbs. from waist to overhead.
Must be able to: Lift and carry up to 40 lbs. at waist height a reasonable distance.
Must be able to: Push/pull with 30 lbs. of force.
Must be able to: Perform a sliding transfer of 150 lbs. with a second person present.
Position requires repetitive use of hands: Simple grasping - 5-15 lbs. - 20% of the workday.
Pushing/pulling - up to 75-100 lbs. - 10% of the day.
Fine manipulation of hands during massage and joint mobilization.
Must have functional use of senses to allow for effective communication.
Ability to wear protective clothing as needed.
Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job.

Nice To Haves

No experience required.

Responsibilities

Assists the Occupational Therapist in evaluation of the patient's physical, perceptual, cognitive, social, and vocational abilities and the impact on the patient's activities of daily living.
Identifies factors affecting patient's physical and psychosocial comfort and attends to these needs.
Implements individual treatment to re-train and teach compensatory techniques for residual disability in activities of daily living, adapted homemaking techniques, bathroom transfers, functional application of mobility skills and, when appropriate, training in adapted work methods.
Monitors and notifies/updates the supervisory therapist of patient's response to treatment given.
Plans for patient discharge including providing written home programs, patient/family teaching, and ordering equipment with direction of evaluating/supervising.
Completes all required documentation with appropriate co-signatures, including patient progress notes, team conference reports, discharge summaries, and records patient care and progress of each patient assigned as well as daily statistics, billing, and scheduling.
Applies insurance guidelines regarding authorization and number of visits.
Responsible for cleaning up after patient treatment, putting away equipment, and keeping area neat and orderly.
Performs various manual techniques, patient positioning, transferring and transporting duties, which require lifting and pushing/pulling, while utilizing proper technique.
Demonstrates skill in use of modalities, exercise equipment and other devices that are available in area worked per department orientation checklist.
Demonstrates knowledge of indications and contraindications of modalities and exercise.
Participates in performance improvement activities designed to identify and resolve problems affecting patient care outcomes and to improve quality of care.
Manages assigned caseload, informing site leadership of coverage needs and ability to cover; assists with coverage, based on department needs and regional needs.
Pursues professional growth through participation in continuing education courses, department inservices, and reading professional literature.
Orients new staff to clinical and department policies as requested.
Participates in the evaluation process of co-workers by providing verbal or written feedback as requested.
Must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served.
Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the department's policies and procedures.

Benefits

Compensation Base compensation listed within the listed pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training
Premium pay such as shift, on call, and more based on a teammate's job
Incentive pay for select positions
Opportunity for annual increases based on performance
Paid Time Off programs
Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability
Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses
Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave
Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs
Educational Assistance Program