Acute Rehabilitation Center Occupational Therapist

St. Luke’s Health Network, Inc.; Allentown (Lehigh County); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Luke's Health Network, Inc. is seeking an Acute Care Occupational Therapist to evaluate plans and administer therapy for referred patients in the acute care setting, spanning pediatric to geriatric cases.

You will design and implement rehabilitation programs, document progress, and collaborate with physicians, nurses and other members of the care team. The role requires PA/NJ OT licensure, CPR certification, and a Doctorate degree is preferred.

Qualifications

• Current license to practice occupational therapy in Pennsylvania or New Jersey (depending on work location).
• Doctorate degree preferred.
• Current CPR certification.

Responsibilities

• Performs occupational therapy examination using reliable methods relevant to patient chief complaint and history.
• Establishes realistic short-term and long-term goals with each patient.
• Implements and revises progressive treatment programs based on evaluative findings.
• Administers therapeutic modalities and programs (hot/cold packs, ultrasound, massage, electrical stimulation, whirlpool, wound care).
• Fits assistive, prosthetic and orthotic devices and provides training.
• Conducts discharge planning and educates patient and family for home programs.
• Documents initial evaluation, progress notes and discharge summaries accurately and promptly.
• Attends rounds and communicates with the multidisciplinary team; provides in-services to OT staff.

Education

Occupational Therapist license (PA or NJ)

Doctorate degree preferred

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 frequently bend, 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 mobility equipment 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.
• Doctorate Degree preferred.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

• Current CPR certification.
• Successful completion