Occupational Therapist Inpatient

Cayuga Medical Center; Hayts Corner (NY); On-site; USD 47,000 - 54,000; Part time

Job summary

Cayuga Health System is seeking a per diem Occupational Therapist for inpatient rehabilitation at Cayuga Medical Center in Ithaca, NY. The OT will perform evaluations, deliver therapy interventions, and educate patients, families, and caregivers within the full scope of practice.

The role requires concise clinical decision-making, strong communication with the interdisciplinary team, and safety-conscious care plans.

Qualifications

• Education: Accredited OT program (Bachelor/Master/Doctorate)
• Licensure: NYS Occupational Therapy License
• CPR/BLS certification is current
• Must complete yearly safety trainings and e-learning

Responsibilities

• Completes comprehensive chart review to determine OT appropriateness.
• Integrates exam findings into a person-centered plan of care.
• Educates patients and families using compassionate communication.
• Identifies contraindications and ensures safe participation in OT.
• Determines discharge destination and coordinates follow-up needs.

Skills

Clinical decision making

Communication

Safety

Education

Bachelor's/Master's/Doctorate OT program

Job description

Occupational Therapist - Per Diem - Inpatient Rehabilitation

Cayuga Health and its affiliates are the region's leading healthcare system and most trusted providers of integrated health services, empowering our people in our mission to equitably improve the well-being of the communities we serve. Our commitment to providing extraordinary healthcare begins with our team of extraordinary professionals who are continuously discovering clinical innovations and enhancing access to the most up-to-date facilities, equipment, technologies, and research protocols. Cayuga Health's commitment to our employees includes competitive compensation, comprehensive employee benefits programs, and the opportunity to explore and build a career in healthcare through our many professional development programs.

Position Overview

The Occupational Therapist (OT) will provide evaluations, therapy interventions, Activity of Daily Living performance assessments, and education with patients in medically compromised situations within their full scope of practice. This will include participation in the development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of programs and services for patients, families, and the community. The OT will work collaboratively as a member of the interdisciplinary team and provide safe, efficient and effective care for their patients. The OT is responsible for making high-level clinical decisions, in a rapid and dynamic environment, for the care of their patients.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Clinical Decision-Making: Completes comprehensive chart review to determine OT appropriateness. Chooses appropriate exam & integrates findings into a comprehensive plan of care that is person-centered & goal centered. Uses evidenced based practice to guide decision making & therapy intensity. Assesses response to intervention & adjusts interventions/plan of care appropriately.
• Communication: Selects appropriate communication style based on age, learning style, cognition, and culture. Educates patient & family/caregivers using compassionate communication. Clearly communicates patient's OT needs & barriers to plan with interdisciplinary team to facilitate throughput. Initiates and maintains professional communication with every team member at all times including adverse, challenging, and crucial conversations.
• Safety: Uses medical record & patient presentation to identify relative & absolute contraindications to participation in OT. Surveys patient and environment for safe movement barriers. Maintains expertise in use of all safe patient handling equipment.
• Patient Management: Progresses interventions to facilitate achievement of patient's goals. Reassesses progress towards goals & adjusts plan of care. Produces clear, defensible documentation that supports clinical decision making. Uses clinical judgement to determine when immediate communication beyond documentation is required for safe coordinated patient care.
• Discharge Planning: Synthesizes patient's life context and current functional status to determine discharge destination, level of support, additional services, and follow-up needs. Determines appropriate equipment needs and provides caregiver training as appropriate.

Required Skills and Experience

• Education: Successful completion of accredited Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctorate level Occupational Therapy Program
• Licensure: Current NYS Occupational Therapy License
• Current CPR/BLS Certification
• Must complete yearly mandatory safety trainings and e-learning courses

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Problem solving
• Attention to detail
• Time management
• Flexibility in prioritizing and adjusting workload
• Good written and oral communication skills

Physical Requirements

• Ability to move/lift patients with assistance
• Repetitive use of hands and fingers (e.g., use of computer keyboard)
• Sitting, walking, or standing for long periods of time
• Must be able to physically operate the equipment used for the job

Location and Shift Information

• Location: Onsite at Cayuga Medical Center: 101 Dates Drive, Ithaca, NY 14850
• Shift: Per Diem. Coverage for weekdays and rotating Saturdays. Various shifts may be assigned within Inpatient occupational therapy operational hours of 7am - 6pm.
• Travel: 0%-10% Local Travel Between Area Clinics and Facilities

Compensation Disclosure

• Standard Rate of $34.00 to $39.00 per hour plus per diem incentive

Cayuga Health System and its affiliates are committed to treating all patients, providers, staff and volunteers equitably and with dignity, ensuring the highest levels of safety, care and respect, and striving to recognize and overcome biases and policies that contribute to disparities in healthcare access, equitable care and positive health outcomes for all.

We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer, supporting the growth and health of our employees and community by embracing the rich diversity, needs and circumstances of all peoples and prioritizing opportunities to build a diverse and inclusive workplace. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable protected characteristics.

If you require reasonable accommodation to complete a job application, pre-employment testing, a job interview or to otherwise participate in the hiring process, please contact the Cayuga Health Talent Acquisition team at [e-mail].