Occupational Therapist- Acute Care

ochsner; New Orleans (LA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Ochsner is seeking an Occupational Therapist to evaluate patients and provide inpatient therapy programs based on physician orders. You will collaborate with the healthcare team to determine the most appropriate post-acute or home care plan to meet patient goals.

Responsibilities include documenting patient progress, adjusting treatment plans as needed, and maintaining accurate records while ensuring safety and quality standards across hospital settings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy required.
• Current OT license in state of practice or eligibility by examination; reciprocity from another state considered.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association required.

Responsibilities

• Performs evaluations and provides inpatient OT treatment programs based on physician orders.
• Assesses patient response to treatment and recommends plan changes to improve outcomes and safety.
• Maintains patient records according to documentation standards and policies.
• Ensures treatment protocols align with hospital quality and safety targets.
• Adapts approach to diverse patient populations and communicates with the care team.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Adaptability

Travel flexibility

Education

Bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy

Job description

Exceptional care starts with exceptional people. For us, this is more than a job- it's a calling. It's waking up each day, looking for ways to make a difference with a compassionate, inclusive and talented team. Ochsner empowers you to discover your passion, reach your potential, and Pursue Your Purpose. Exceptional care starts with exceptional people and teams. Together we are leading the way.

This job evaluates patients and provides inpatient occupational therapy treatment programs based upon physician orders from inpatient providers. Collaborates and communicates with the healthcare team to facilitate the patient to the most appropriate level of post-acute or home care to achieve identified patient specific goals. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

This job description is a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the job and position. It is not intended to be a comprehensive or all-inclusive listing of duties and responsibilities. Contents are subject to change at the company's discretion.

Education

• Required - Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy.

Work Experience

• Required - None.

Certifications

• Required - Current occupational therapy license in state of practice
• OR eligibility for licensure by examination
• OR reciprocity from another state.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) from the American Heart Association.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

• Proficiency in using computers, software, and web-based applications.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills and ability to present information clearly and professionally.
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Excellent judgment and decision‑making skills and ability to deal with a variety of patients and diagnoses.
• Ability to travel throughout and between facilities.

Job Duties

• Performs evaluations and provides treatment programs to facilitate patient specific goals.
• Assesses the patent's response to treatment and recommends treatment plan changes as appropriate to improve quality of outcome and maintain patient safety.
• Maintains patient records according to documentation standards, policies, and procedures.
• Ensures treatment protocols contribute to overall hospital quality and safety targets and achieve patient safety outcomes.
• Adapts behavior to the specific patient population, including but not limited to respect for privacy, method of introduction to the patient, adapting explanation of services or procedures to be performed, requesting permissions and communication style.
• Performs other related duties as required.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work only. They are not an exhaustive list of all required responsibilities, duties, and skills. Other duties may be added, or this description amended at any time.

Remains knowledgeable on current federal, state and local laws, accreditation standards or regulatory agency requirements that apply to the assigned area of responsibility and ensures compliance with all such laws, regulations and standards.

This employer maintains and complies with its Compliance & Privacy Program and Standards of Conduct, including the immediate reporting of any known or suspected unethical or questionable behaviors or conduct; patient/employee safety, patient privacy, and or other compliance‑related concerns.

The employer is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Physical and Environmental Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Very Heavy Work - Exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Heavy Work. (Constantly: activity or condition exists 2/3 or more of the time) to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Sedentary Work. Even though the weight lifted may be only a negligible amount, a job should be rated Light Work: (1) when it requires walking or standing to a significant degree; or (2) when it requires sitting most of the time but entails pushing and/or pulling of arm or leg controls; and/or (3) when the job requires working at a production rate pace entailing the constant pushing and/or pulling of materials