Occupational Therapist

Niagara Rehabilitation & Nursing Center; City of Niagara Falls (NY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Niagara Rehabilitation & Nursing Center seeks an Occupational Therapist to provide age-specific therapy for adult and geriatric residents. You will lead an interprofessional team, supervise assistants, document per policy, and ensure safety and compliance in daily care plans.

You will evaluate needs, participate in discharge planning, and support ongoing resident independence through equipment and adaptive strategies.

Qualifications

• Must be a graduate of an American Occupational Therapy Association accredited school of Occupational Therapy.
• Must be registered or licensed as an Occupational Therapist in the practicing state.
• Must be able to communicate in English, both verbally and in writing.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Must have strong knowledge of state, federal and local regulations pertaining to long-term care.
• Must meet health assessment requirements, including two-stage Mantoux skin test.
• Must be capable of performing essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrates knowledge of age-specific developmental factors for adult and geriatric residents in planning care delivery.
• Provides care for residents with orthopedics, neuro diseases, and infectious diseases as applicable.
• Attends all mandatory in-services by anniversary date.
• Acts under the direction of the Director of Occupational Therapy or Rehabilitation Director and collaborates with the interdisciplinary team.
• Supervises Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants and Occupational Therapy Aides in resident care and related activities.
• Records clinical documentation according to regulatory, facility, and professional guidelines.
• Establishes and instructs caregivers in resident-specific maintenance programs.
• Records daily treatment charges according to facility policies.
• Secures necessary durable medical equipment and adaptive equipment for residents to promote independence, with administrator approval.
• Acts as a clinical preceptor for affiliated OT/COTA programs when needed.
• Complies with state regulations and national standards for occupational therapy practice.
• Provides weekly documentation for residents on active therapy programs.
• Demonstrates knowledge and compliance with Code of Conduct and Corporate Compliance Program.
• Screens, evaluate, and treat residents according to comprehensive care planning.
• Evaluates residents within two working days of physician referral.
• Treats residents according to an attending physician-approved treatment plan.
• Communicates with supervisor and other team members regarding progress, problems and plans.
• Participates in resident care conferences and weekly Medicare/Rehabilitation Utilization meetings.
• Participates in discharge planning.
• Is aware of and adheres to Resident Bill of Rights and confidentiality policies.
• Interacts with residents, families, coworkers, and staff in a non-judgmental, supportive manner.
• Addresses family satisfaction issues professionally.
• Is aware of Resident Abuse Reporting Law.
• Participates in orientation of new staff with a positive attitude.
• Provides in-services to residents, families and staff on proper positioning and transfer techniques.
• Assists with restraint reduction programs where appropriate.
• Demonstrates knowledge of general first aid procedures.
• Ensures therapy equipment has current safety inspection stickers; notifies responsible personnel for updates.
• Locates emergency equipment and understands fire and disaster drill roles.
• Identifies and responds to potential behavioral outbursts.
• Uses facility equipment safely.
• Recognizes and reports hazards.
• Demonstrates knowledge of Universal Precautions.
• Follows policies in treatment of open wounds.
• Handles and disposes of clean and soiled linen.
• Addresses residents respectfully.
• Discusses confidential information in appropriate areas.
• Documents resident goals as part of the therapy plan.

Skills

English communication

Education

Graduate from AOTA accredited OT program

Licensed/registered OT in state of practice

Job description

Job Knowledge and Role Responsibilities:

1. Demonstrates knowledge of age specific developmental factors specific to adult and geriatric residents (i.e. physical, cognitive, and socialization factors) in planning delivery of care.

2. Demonstrates knowledge, skills, and techniques necessary to care for and treat residents with the following needs: orthopedics, neuro diseases and infectious diseases, if applicable.

3. Attends all mandatory in-services by employee’s anniversary date.

4. Acts appropriately under the direction of the Director of Occupational Therapy, and/or Rehabilitation Director and acts as an active member of the interdisciplinary team.

5. Supervises Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant(s) and Occupational Therapy Aide(s) in direct resident care and resident related activities.

6. Records clinical documentation according to accepted regulatory, facility and professional guidelines.

7. Establishes and instructs caregivers in resident specific maintenance programs.

8. Records daily treatment charges according to facility policies.

9. Secures necessary durable medical equipment and adaptive equipment for residents to facilitate independence, if approved by the Administrator.

10. Acts as a clinical preceptor, if necessary, for affiliated Occupational Therapy or Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant schools.

11. Complies with state regulations and national standards as they apply to the practice of Occupational Therapy.

12. Provides weekly documentation for all residents on an active therapy program.

13. Demonstrates knowledge of and complies with the Code of Conduct and Corporate Compliance Program when performing work functions.

B. Resident Care Responsibilities:

1. Screens, evaluates, and treats residents in accordance with comprehensive care planning.

2. Evaluates residents within two working days of physician referral.

3. Treats residents according to a treatment plan approved by the attending physician.

4. Communicates with supervisor and other interdisciplinary team members regarding resident progress, problems and plans.

5. Participates, as necessary, in resident care conferences and weekly Medicare/ Rehabilitation Utilization meetings.

6. Participates in discharge planning.

C. Role Responsibilities-Interpersonal Skills:

1. Is aware of, and adheres to, Resident’s Bill of Rights and Confidentiality of Resident Information.

2. Interacts with residents, family members, co-workers, clinical and ancillary staff in a non-judgmental, supportive and calm manner.

3. Addresses family satisfaction issues immediately and assists in resolving the matter, if necessary, in a professional manner.

4. Is aware of Resident Abuse Reporting Law.

5. Participates as assigned in the orientation of new staff and demonstrates a positive, helpful and enthusiastic attitude.

D. Role Responsibilities-Safety:

1. Provides in-services to residents, families and employees regarding proper positioning and transfer techniques of residents.

2. Assists with restraint reduction programs where appropriate.

3. Demonstrates knowledge and application of general first aid procedures.

4. Ensures that all therapy equipment has current safety inspection stickers on them, and if not, notifies appropriate personnel to obtain safety inspection.

5. Demonstrates ability to locate emergency equipment in facility (i.e. fire extinguisher).

6. Understands and can demonstrate knowledge of role in Fire and Disaster drills.

7. Demonstrates ability to identify and respond appropriately to potential behavioral outbursts.

8. Uses facility equipment safely.

9. Recognizes, removes, and/or reports potential hazards.

E. Role Responsibilities-Infection Control:

1. Demonstrates knowledge of, and implementation of, Universal Precautions.

2. Follows facility policies in treatment of open wounds.

3. Handles and disposes of clean and soiled linen, when appropriate.

F. Role Responsibilities-Resident Dignity:

1. Addresses residents in a respectful manner.

2. Discusses confidential resident information in appropriate areas only.

3. Documents resident’s goals as part of the therapy treatment plan.

H. Physical Requirements:

“Occasionally” equals approximately 1% to 33% of the workday, “Frequently” equals approximately 34% to 66% of the workday, and “Continuously” equals approximately 67% to 100% of the workday. (Typical full-time workday is 7.5 hours).

Job Requirements: Approximate number of hours per day.

• a) Sit 1 to 2
• b) Stand 4 to 5
• c) Walk 4 to 5
• Movements:
• a) Bend/Stoop Continuously
• b) Squat/Crouch/Kneel Continuously
• c) Crawl Occasionally
• d) Reaching Continuously
• e) Balancing Continuously
• f) Pushing/Pulling Continuously
• Weight Carried
• a) Up to 34 pounds Continuously
• b) 35 to 50 pounds Continuously
• c) 51 to 100 pounds Frequently with assistance
• d) 100+ pounds Frequently with assistance

*Assistance can include mechanical devices, equipment or human assistance.

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

1. Must be a graduate from an American Occupational Therapy Association accredited school of Occupational Therapy.

2. Must be registered as an Occupational Therapist by the American Occupational Therapy Association and/or currently licensed in the state of current practice.

3. Must be able to communicate in English, both verbally and in writing, and possess sufficient communication skills to perform the tasks required.

4. Must be at least 18 years of age.

5. Must possess strong knowledge regarding state, federal and local regulations as they pertain to long term care.

6. Must meet health assessment requirements, including two stage Mantoux skin test.

7. Must be capable of performing the essential functions of this job, with or without reasonable accommodation.

This organization reserves the right to revise the essential position functions as the need arises.