The Occupational Therapist will facilitate development and rehabilitation of patients with emotional, mental and physical disabilities by planning and administering medically prescribed occupational therapy.

The Occupational Therapist job duties may include:

• Assist the patient in meeting their goals and needs and provide quality care through assessment and interpretation of evaluations and test results as well as determining occupational therapy treatment plans in collaboration with physicians or by prescriptions.
• Assist the patient to develop or regain mental and/or physical functioning or adjust to disabilities by implementing programs involving manual arts and crafts, practice in functional, prevocational, vocational and homemaking skills, including daily living activities and sensorimotor, recreational, educational and social activities. The OT will also direct aides, assistants and technicians in providing proper care for the patient.
• Promote the patient’s maximum independence by construction and selecting therapies according to the patient’s physical capacity, interest and intelligence level.
• Prepare the patient for return to employment through consultation with employers, retraining employees, determining potential difficulties, helping the employer to understand necessary job and physical accommodations necessary.
• Observe, record and evaluate the patient’s progress as a results of the occupational therapy and recommend and implement modifications and adjustments
• Complete discharge planning by collaborating and consulting with nurses, social workers, physicians and other health care workers as well as contribute to patient care conferences
• Accurately documents patient care services by charting in department and patient records
• Design and instruct patients, families and caregivers in the continuation of therapeutic plan following discharge through home exercise programs, recommending and/or providing assistive equipment, recommending outpatient or home health follow-up programs
• Maintain patient’s confidence and protect facility operations by complying with rules, procedures and regulations
• Strictly adhere to infection-control policies and protocols in order to protect the patients and staff.
• Ensure the operation of equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements as per manufacturer’s instructions, troubleshooting malfunctions and calling for repairs if necessary
• Develop OT staff and provide information as well as develop and conduct in-service training programs for staff
• Attend educational workshops and review professional publications to maintain professional and technical knowledge as well as establishing personal networks of professionals and participating in professional societies
• Contribute to the overall team effort by accomplishing related results as needed
• Comply with all federal, state and local legal and certification requirements by studying existing and new legislation, anticipating future legislation, enforcing adherence to requirements and advising management on needed actions

Skills and Qualifications of the Occupational Therapist

• Creation of a safe and effective environment for the patient
• Motivation of others
• Health maintenance and promotion
• Bedside Manner
• Medical Teamwork
• Mental Health
• Pain Management
• Legal Compliance
• Listening Skills
• Quality Focus
• Analyzing information