OT Assistant

Dogwood Village of Orange County•Orange, VA

1d•$36 - $36•Onsite

About The Position

The OT Assistant helps residents regain motor skills and improve physical health so they can perform daily activities. The assistant implements therapeutic activities and the treatment plan only under the direction of an occupational therapist, following applicable laws, Virginia’s occupational therapy practice requirements, professional standards, and facility policies and procedures. Treatment is provided only after a written physician order is received. The role includes interviewing residents, carrying out planned exercises and procedures, documenting progress and services, coordinating therapy sessions with nursing staff, and preparing records for billing and discharge planning. The assistant monitors residents’ environments for barriers to recovery, makes recommendations to the occupational therapist, helps provide assessment information, and maintains therapy equipment safely and hygienically. The assistant also participates in interdisciplinary meetings, communicates with residents, families, and staff, contributes to teamwork and facility committees as needed, and follows safety and regulatory requirements. This is a part-time position at Dogwood Village of Orange County in Orange, Virginia. The listed pay is $36.00 per hour. The position requires an associate degree from an accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant program and a valid, unrestricted Virginia therapy license. A satisfactory background check and drug screening are also required. The role involves working in an office and throughout the facility, moving intermittently during the workday, and the ability to work beyond normal hours and on weekends or holidays when necessary.

Requirements

Associate degree from an accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant program.
Valid, unrestricted therapy license in Virginia.
Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English.
Ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies, and the public.
Patience, tact, and willingness to work with difficult residents, family members, and staff.
Must not pose a threat to the health and safety of others in the workplace.
Ability and willingness to move intermittently throughout the workday.
Ability to assist with resident evacuation during emergencies.
Ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant.
Leadership and supervisory skills, including willingness to work harmoniously with and supervise other personnel.
Ability to follow oral and written instructions and relay information concerning residents, employees, or other matters.
Ability to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.
Ability to communicate with medical and nursing staff and all departments.
Ability to accept call-backs during emergency conditions.
Ability to work in an office and throughout the facility and complete tasks despite frequent interruptions.
Ability to stand, walk, sit, stoop, bend, and reach for extended periods.
Ability to lift up to 35 pounds frequently and up to 50 pounds occasionally.
Manual dexterity to grasp, carry, and hold equipment and supplies.
Ability to see, hear, and verbally communicate with residents, visitors, and staff.
Satisfactory general background check, including state and local criminal history checks, and satisfactory drug screening.
Ability to work beyond normal working hours and on weekends and holidays when necessary.

Responsibilities

Assist in occupational therapy activities under the direction of a registered occupational therapist.
Implement the occupational therapy treatment plan established by the occupational therapist and follow applicable professional, state, federal, and facility requirements.
Record residents’ progress and request reexamination when needed.
Offer suggestions and feedback, carry out agreed activities, and raise constructive concerns with the occupational therapist.
Interview new and returning residents to assist the occupational therapist in determining their health and rate of recovery.
Document occupational therapy services in residents’ medical records and follow facility documentation policies.
Schedule and coordinate resident therapy sessions with nursing staff as instructed.
Prepare required documentation for billing, discharge planning, and other purposes as instructed.
Help residents perform planned therapeutic procedures and exercises, including providing instruction, encouragement, and physical assistance as needed.
Treat residents with musculoskeletal deficiencies, neurological conditions, and other disorders only after receiving a written physician order.
Use and understand assistive devices that residents may need during treatment.
Monitor residents’ environments for needs or barriers that may negatively affect therapy and recovery; recommend accommodations to the occupational therapist and implement recommendations.
Provide information for resident assessment instruments as assigned, including functional abilities, range of motion, self-care activities, and therapy service details.
Store, use, sanitize, disinfect, and clean occupational therapy equipment properly and safely.
Participate in designated rehabilitative and interdisciplinary team meetings regarding therapy progression and discharge planning.
Follow Virginia occupational therapy practice guidelines and professional association standards; know how to access the applicable practice act and standards.
Build positive relationships with residents, employees, and family members through deliberate communication and interactions.
Participate in facility committees as necessary.
Provide compassionate, quality occupational therapy services and support cleanliness of therapy spaces and resident functioning and satisfaction.
Communicate and coordinate with occupational therapy employees and interdisciplinary team members; promote teamwork, mutual respect, positivity, and problem solving.
Make written and oral reports or recommendations to the occupational therapist.
Follow facility policies concerning regulatory inspections and surveys, including OSHA requirements.
Stay informed about regulatory, practice-scope, business-practice, and other changes that influence occupational therapy outcomes.
Promote safe work practices, safety rules, and accident prevention procedures.
Perform other duties as assigned.