Pediatric Occupational Therapist

The Emerge Center•Baton Rouge, LA

12d•$60,000 - $68,000

About The Position

The Emerge Center and The Emerge School for Autism are hiring a part-time or full-time Pediatric Occupational Therapist to provide occupational therapy services to children enrolled at either organization. The role includes evaluating clients, developing individualized treatment plans with families and caregivers, promoting functional independence, and supporting participation in meaningful daily activities. The therapist will educate families and caregivers, communicate with parents and physicians, document services, collaborate with clinical teams, participate in outreach and professional development, and contribute to OT program planning. The position may supervise non-technical personnel and a COTA assigned to a client as needed. The organization offers CEU hours and a path for promotions through its OT level system.

Requirements

Master of Science degree from a college or university with an accredited school of occupational therapy, or a grandfathered bachelor's degree in occupational therapy.
Current license from the State of Louisiana.
Current CPR certification or ability to obtain it within three months.
Working knowledge and use of assessment tools used to evaluate children.
Knowledge of therapeutic use of meaningful and purposeful occupations and therapeutic use of self.
Knowledge of adapting environments and processes to enhance functional performance in occupations.
Knowledge of promoting health and wellness through engagement in valued occupations.
Knowledge of graded tasks and activities as prerequisites to engagement in occupations.
Knowledge of designing, fabricating, applying, or training clients in the use of assistive technology or orthotic devices.
Knowledge of applying physical agent modalities as an adjunct to or in preparation for engagement in occupations.
Ability to lift and transfer children weighing 25–100 pounds.
Ability to lift or move 50 pounds.
Ability to spend considerable time stooping, kneeling, and crouching; stand for extended periods; and participate in floor activities with children.
Fine motor skills and visual acuity.
Ability to pass state and federal background checks.
Ability to 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.
Experience with sensory-motor processing techniques.
Experience with neuromuscular re-education.
Experience with feeding therapy and oral motor training or retraining.

Responsibilities

Perform assessments, interpret test results, and determine occupational therapy treatment plans in consultation with families or caregivers.
Develop treatment plans addressing 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.
Facilitate clients' engagement in meaningful and healthy occupations.
Develop, improve, sustain, or restore skills in activities of daily living, productive activities, and play or leisure.
Develop, remediate, or restore sensorimotor, cognitive, or psychosocial components of performance.
Assess, recommend, and educate clients and caregivers on 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 teach home exercise programs and provide information about assistive technology and other resources to patients, families, and caregivers.
Maintain communication with parents and physicians through progress reports and other communication measures.
Participate in parent/family conferences and team conferences.
Complete timely documentation, including evaluation results, 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 relating to client needs and occupational therapy.
Maintain clinical competency by attending pediatric continuing education and workshops.
Assist with strategic and long-range planning 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 and therapeutic teams, and engage families as team members in the care of their child.
Lift and transfer children, participate in handling and floor activities, move heavy equipment, and assist patients with transfers, lifting, turning, standing, or walking while following proper body mechanics and procedures.