Acute Rehabilitation Center Occupational Therapist

St. Luke's University Health Network; Allentown (Lehigh County); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Luke’s University Health Network is seeking an Acute Care Occupational Therapist to evaluate patients and administer therapy in the acute care setting.

The therapist will serve patients across pediatric to geriatric age groups, developing goals and implementing treatment plans under physician consult. Responsibilities include timely documentation, collaboration with the multidisciplinary team, and adherence to AOTA guidelines and licensure requirements.

Qualifications

• Current Occupational Therapist license in PA or NJ.
• Doctorate Degree preferred.
• Current CPR certification.
• Successful completion of required affiliations and/or CEU’s to maintain licensure.
• Please complete your application using your full legal name and current home address; include employment history for past seven years.

Responsibilities

• Performs occupational therapy examination in a technically competent manner.
• Establishes realistic short-term and long-term goals.
• Performs therapeutic exercises effectively and appropriately.
• Implements and revises progressive treatment programs.
• Administers therapeutic modalities and programs (e.g., heat/cold packs, ultrasound, massage, electrical stimulation, whirlpool, wound care).
• Fits assistive, prosthetic and orthotic devices and provides training.
• Discharges planning and home program instruction.
• Documents evaluations and progress timely.
• Adheres to AOTA standards and organizational policies.
• Demonstrates age-appropriate competency.
• May supervise OT and COTA students.
• Attends Case Management/Interdisciplinary rounds and communicates with the multidisciplinary team.
• Provides in-services to OT staff and others.
• Attends multi-disciplinary meetings; bills for services.

Education

Current Occupational Therapist license in the State of Pennsylvania or New Jersey

Job description

St. Luke’s is proud of the skills, experience and compassion of its employees. The employees of St. Luke’s are our most valuable asset! Individually and together, our employees are dedicated to satisfying the mission of our organization which is an unwavering commitment to excellence as we care for the sick and injured; educate physicians, nurses and other health care providers; and improve access to care in the communities we serve, regardless of a patient’s ability to pay for health care.

Holiday and Weekend requirement

The Acute Care Occupational Therapist evaluates plans and administers occupational therapy treatment programs for referred patients, in the acute care setting. Occupational Therapist shall provide rehabilitation services to patients/clients, upon physician consult or referral, who have sustained occupational impairments, limitations and disabilities, as a result of physical, cognitive or psycho-social dysfunction. Occupational therapists also provide interventions which emphasize emotional wellness, health promotion, client safety and facilitate client re-engagement of ADL/IADL skills. The Occupational Therapist shall work within the practice guidelines as defined by Pennsylvania state law. Patients encountered by the Acute Care Physical Therapist may include those with a diagnosis and/or impairments related to pediatric (2 months – 12 years), adolescent (13-17 years), adult (18-65 years) medical conditions.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Performs occupational therapy examination in a technically competent manner that minimizes risk to the patient, self and others by selecting reliable and valid examination methods that are relevant to the chief complaint and history of the patient.

• Establishes realistic, attainable short-term and long-term goals with each patient.

• Performs therapeutic exercises effectively and appropriately.

• Implements, and revises as necessary, effective progressive treatment programs taking evaluative findings into consideration.

• Administers therapeutic modalities and programs appropriately and effectively, including hot/cold pack, ultrasound, massage, electrical stimulation, whirlpool and wound care.

• Fits assistive, prosthetic and orthotic devices and provides appropriate training.

• Performs appropriate discharge planning, instructs patients and family member(s) in home programs.

• Documents accurately, in a timely manner, including initial evaluation, progress notes and discharge summaries.

• Adheres to the Standards of Practice and institutional policy and procedures that govern the conduct of professional activities and are consistent with the American Occupational Therapy Associations’ (AOTA) positions, standards, guidelines, policies, procedures, and Code of Ethics. Integrates AOTA documents, legislation, legal, and regulatory issues into practice.

• Demonstrates competency in the assessment, range of treatment and knowledge of growth and development appropriate to the age of the patient treated (neonate, pediatric, adolescent or geriatric).

• May supervise OT and COTA students and observers as assigned.

• Attends Case Management/Interdisciplinary rounds and provides timely communication of information to other members of the multidisciplinary team

• Provides in-services to OT department staff and others.

• Attends multi-disciplinary meetings. Accurately bills patient’s accounts for services rendered.

• Other duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL AND SENSORY REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to sit for extended periods and stand and/or ambulate intermittently throughout the workday.

• Ability to frequentlybend, stoop, squat, crouch, kneel, and reach, including occasional overhead reaching, consistent with inpatient patient care activities.

• Ability to use hands and fingers for fine motor tasks, including operation of medical equipment, patient care devices, and electronic documentation systems.

• Ability to assist with patient positioning, transfers, and mobility using approved safe patient handling and mobilityequipment and team‑based techniques in accordance with organizational policy.

• Ability to push and pull equipment and patient support devices, utilizing mechanical assistance when indicated.

• Manual patient lifting is minimized and avoided whenever possible; patient handling is performed using mechanical aids or team assistance, except in unanticipated or emergency situations requiring immediate action.

• Ability to perceive tactile cues necessary for safe patient care.

• Ability to hear and see adequately to communicate, respond to alarms or call bells, and safely navigate the clinical environment.

EDUCATION:

Current Occupational Therapist license in the State of Pennsylvania or New Jersey, based on work location is required. The Occupational Therapist shall work within the practice guidelines as defined by Pennsylvaniaor New Jerseystate law(based upon work location). Doctorate Degree preferred.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

Current CPR certification. Successful completion of required affiliations and/or CEU’s to maintain licensure.

Please complete your application using your full legal name andcurrent home address. Be sure toincludeemployment history forthe past seven (7) years, including your present employer. Additionally, you areencouraged to upload a current resume, including all work history, education, and/or certifications andlicenses, if applicable. It is highly recommended that you create a profile at the conclusion of submitting your first application. Thank you for your interest in St. Luke’s!!

St. Luke’s University Health Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer.