Occupational Therapist

US Lawns; Hilo (HI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home in East Hawaiʻi is seeking an Occupational Therapist to provide evidence-based rehabilitation services, develop individualized treatment plans, and promote functional independence for residents in a skilled nursing setting.

The role involves collaboration with an interdisciplinary team, discharge planning, and adherence to regulatory standards, with opportunities to supervise COTAs and grow clinical expertise.

Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited Occupational Therapy program.
• Current Hawaii Occupational Therapist license in good standing.
• Current NBCOT Certification as Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR).
• Current BLS certification.
• New graduate or 0–4 years of clinical occupational therapy experience; skilled nursing/geriatric rehab preferred.
• Knowledge of Medicare guidelines, EMR, and strong communication, teamwork, and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Perform comprehensive occupational therapy evaluations and develop individualized treatment plans.
• Deliver evidence-based interventions to improve ADLs, IADLs, UE function, cognition, coordination, and independence.
• Recommend adaptive equipment and educate residents and families on treatment plans and progress.
• Maintain accurate clinical documentation and comply with Medicare/CMS/AOTA standards; may supervise COTAs.
• Collaborate with the interdisciplinary care team on care planning and discharge planning.
• Promote resident safety through infection prevention and ongoing professional development.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Clinical reasoning

Documentation

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Patient education

Education

Accredited OT program

Hawaii OT license

NBCOT OTR certification

BLS certification

Tools

EMR

Job description

Job Description

Join Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home and be part of a team that proudly cares for our friends, family, and neighbors across East Hawaiʻi.

The Occupational Therapist provides evidence-based rehabilitation services that help residents develop, restore, and maintain the skills needed for safe, independent participation in daily activities, enhancing their overall quality of life. Working collaboratively with the interdisciplinary care team, this role develops individualized treatment plans, promotes functional independence and safety, and supports successful discharge planning while building clinical expertise in a skilled nursing environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform comprehensive occupational therapy evaluations and develop individualized treatment plans based on physician orders and resident goals.
• Deliver evidence-based therapeutic interventions to improve residents' performance in activities of daily living (ADLs), instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), upper extremity function, cognition, coordination, and overall functional independence.
• Recommend appropriate adaptive equipment, assistive devices, and durable medical equipment while educating residents, families, and caregivers on treatment plans, therapeutic techniques, and resident progress.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and compliant clinical documentation while meeting productivity expectations and adhering to Medicare, CMS, AOTA, and facility standards; may supervise Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTAs).
• Collaborate with the interdisciplinary care team on resident care planning, discharge planning, and quality outcomes to maximize safety and functional independence.
• Promote resident safety by following infection prevention practices, regulatory requirements, culturally responsive care standards, and participating in ongoing professional development.

Education, Experience & Certifications

• Graduate of an accredited Occupational Therapy program.
• Current Hawaii Occupational Therapist license in good standing.
• Current certification in good standing through the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) as an Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR).
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
• New graduate or approximately 0–4 years of clinical occupational therapy experience; experience in skilled nursing, long-term care, or geriatric rehabilitation preferred.
• Knowledge of occupational therapy principles, Medicare guidelines, skilled nursing documentation, electronic medical records (EMR), and strong communication, clinical reasoning, teamwork, and organizational skills with a commitment to continuous professional development.

Salary Commensurate with Experience

Benefits

• Company sponsored medical and dental (100% coverage for employee)
• 401(K) retirement plan
• Sick and vacation leave

East Hawaii State Veterans Home is a drug-free workplace, an Equal Opportunity Employer, and conducts employment verification through E-Verify.