Pediatric Occupational Therapist

The Emerge Center•Baton Rouge, LA

About The Position

The Emerge Center and The Emerge School for Autism are hiring a Pediatric Occupational Therapist for part-time or full-time work. The therapist evaluates clients, interprets assessment results, and develops treatment plans in consultation with families and caregivers to support independence in functional activities of daily living. Services are provided to patients enrolled at The Emerge Center and/or The Emerge School for Autism. The role includes pediatric occupational therapy involving child development, movement, sensory-motor processing, visual-motor and visual-perceptual skills, social and functional skills, and activities of daily living. The therapist works with clients, families, caregivers, physicians, and interdisciplinary teams; provides education and home programs; maintains clinical documentation; participates in outreach and professional development; and contributes to planning for OT and other programs. The position reports to the Director of Occupational Therapy and may direct non-technical personnel and a COTA assigned to a client as needed. The employer offers CEU hours, a path for promotion through its OT level system, and a benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, HSA, 401(k) with employer matching, ancillary benefits with Guardian, paid holidays, and PTO.

Requirements

Master of Science degree from a college or university with an accredited occupational therapy program, or grandfathered bachelor's degree.
Current Louisiana state license.
Current CPR certification or ability to obtain it within three months.
Working knowledge and use of assessment tools used to evaluate children.
Ability to lift or move 50 pounds.
Ability to stoop, kneel, crouch, move heavy equipment, assist with patient transfers and lifts, and help patients turn, stand, or walk.
Ability to stand for extended periods.
Fine motor skills and visual acuity.
Must pass state and federal background checks.
Must pass a drug test.

Nice To Haves

Completion of a pediatric affiliation or internship, or pediatric experience.
Computer experience, especially with EHR, Word, and Excel.
New graduates are welcome.
Prior knowledge of therapeutic use of meaningful and purposeful occupations and therapeutic use of self.
Prior knowledge of adapting environments and processes to enhance functional performance in occupations and promoting health and wellness through engagement in valued occupations.
Prior knowledge of graded tasks and activities as prerequisites to engagement in occupations.
Prior knowledge of the design, fabrication, or application of assistive technology or orthotic devices, or training in their use.
Prior knowledge of physical agent modalities as an adjunct to or in preparation for engagement in occupations.
Prior knowledge of sensory-motor processing techniques, neuromuscular re-education, feeding therapy, and oral-motor training or retraining.

Responsibilities

Perform assessments, interpret test results, and determine treatment plans in consultation with families or caregivers.
Develop treatment plans addressing areas such as child development, muscle tone, range of motion, orthopedic and splinting needs, movement analysis, visual-motor and visual-perceptual skills, sensory-motor processing, neuromuscular skills, social skills, functional skills, and activities of daily living.
Select and construct therapies suited to each individual's physical capacity, intelligence level, and interests to promote independence.
Help clients engage in meaningful and healthy occupations, and develop, improve, sustain, or restore skills for activities of daily living, productive activities, play, and leisure.
Develop, remediate, or restore sensorimotor, cognitive, or psychosocial components of performance.
Assess, recommend, and educate clients and families about adaptive equipment and its use.
Manage behaviors and maladaptive responses, seeking assistance from the Director of OT and/or BCBAs as needed.
Provide occupational therapy services to patients enrolled at The Emerge Center and/or The Emerge School for Autism.
Design and instruct patients, families, and caregivers in home exercise programs, assistive technology, and other resources.
Communicate with parents and physicians through progress reports or other communication methods.
Participate in parent/family conferences and team conferences.
Complete timely documentation, including evaluations, daily notes, billing, progress notes, discharge reports, attendance reports, insurance authorizations, and justifications as needed.
Participate in and facilitate department staff meetings and department programs.
Participate in community education programs related to client needs and occupational therapy.
Maintain clinical competency by attending continuing education and pediatric workshops.
Assist in developing strategic and long-range plans for the OT program and other programs established by The Emerge Center.
Perform other duties deemed necessary by the Director of OT Services and the Clinical Director/CEO.
Follow agency safety policies and procedures and uphold The Emerge Center's values and attitudes.
Collaborate with the OT department, therapeutic teams, and families as members of the child's care team.
Lift and transfer children and participate in handling and floor activities with children, using proper body mechanics and patient-moving procedures.