Full Time Outpatient Occupational Therapist Assistant

St. Luke's University Health Network; Bethlehem (Northampton County); On-site; USD 48,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Luke’s University Health Network in Bethlehem, PA is seeking a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant to provide coordinated OT under the supervision of a licensed occupational therapist.

Responsibilities include administering treatment plans, facilitating ROM and ADL performance, documenting progress, planning discharges, and coordinating with the care team. Qualifications include an Associate Degree, PA/NJ OTA license, BLS, and 1–2 years’ experience preferred.

Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited school of occupational therapy with an Associate Degree in Occupational Therapy.
• Current OTA license in the State of Pennsylvania or New Jersey, based on work location.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association or equivalent, required upon hire or within 30 days.
• Preferably one or two years’ experience as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant.

Responsibilities

• Administers the occupational therapy treatment plan as developed by the OTR.
• Facilitates the patient’s ROM, strength coordination, use of adaptive equipment and environmental modifications.
• Communicates with the Facility Director or appropriate staff to plan patient and family care; coordinates with PT for rehabilitation.
• Observes, records and reports patient’s response to treatment and any changes in condition to physician/supervisor.
• Document the effectiveness and outcomes of care and revise as needed.
• Plan discharges in conjunction with the OTR and instruct care team and family.
• Applies infection control concepts and universal precautions in patient care activities.
• Accepts clinical assignments compatible with education and competence.
• Meets mandatory continuing education requirements and provides orientation to new staff.

Skills

Occupational therapy

ADL training

Documentation

Infection control

Education

Associate Degree in Occupational Therapy

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.

The Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant functions as a member of the professional staff, providing coordinated occupational therapy to patients of all age groups under the supervision of a licensed Occupational Therapist.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Administers the occupational therapy treatment plan as developed by the OTR.
• Facilitates the patient’s ROM, strength coordination, use of adaptive equipment and environmental modifications, functional mobility and safety issues as related to patients ADL performance needs under the supervision of the OTR.
• Communicates with the Facility Director or appropriate staff in order to plan total patient and family care. Confers with PT in planning rehabilitation for the patient.
• Observes, records and reports patient’s response to treatment and any changes in patient’s condition to physician and/or clinical supervisor.
• Documentation is timely, accurate, legible and in compliance with the agency policy and directives.
• Documents the effectiveness and outcomes of care on an ongoing basis and makes revisions as needed.
• Plans for discharges as appropriate in conjunction with OTR.
• Instructs other health team personnel, when appropriate in certain areas of occupational therapy including activities of daily living, in which they may work with the patients. This includes the patient and family members.
• Applies concepts of infection control and universal precautions in coordinating/performing patient care activities to prevent contamination and transmission of disease.
• Accepts clinical assignments that are consistent with education and competence to care for patients.
• Meets mandatory continuing education requirements.
• Provides orientation to new orientees related to scope of practice.

PHYSICAL AND SENSORY REQUIREMENTS:

Must be able to sit for up to ninety minutes at a time. Be able to tolerate standing for thirty to forty-five minutes consecutively. Must be able to use hands/fingers to manipulate dials on machines. Must have the ability to lift/move patients up to 200 lbs., push/pull patients weighing up to 200 lbs. Must have the ability to occasionally stoop/bend, squat, crouch, kneel and reach above shoulder level. Must be capable of tactile sensation as it relates to feeling for muscle spasms, texture and skin temperature. Must have the ability to hear as it relates to normal conversation and ability to hear call bells. Must be capable of seeing as it relates to general vision, depth perception, and peripheral vision.

EDUCATION:

Graduate of an accredited school of occupational therapy with an Associate Degree in Occupational Therapy.

Current Occupational Therapy Assistant license in the State of Pennsylvania or New Jersey, based on work location, is required.The Occupational Therapy Assistant shall work within the practice guidelines as defined by Pennsylvania or New Jersey state law (based on work location).

Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association (AHA) or equivalent, required upon hire or to be obtained within 30 days of hire.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

Preferably one or two years’ experience as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant .

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