Occupational Therapist - Inpatient - Per Diem

cayugahealthsystem; Montour Falls (NY); On-site; USD 46,838 - 53,726; Part time

Job summary

Cayuga Health System in Montour Falls is seeking an Occupational Therapist for a per diem position in Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation. The OT will provide therapy interventions and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to optimize patient care.

Responsibilities include evaluating patients, educating families, and making critical clinical decisions. Candidates must have a valid NYS Occupational Therapy License, and the position offers a pay range of $34.00 to $39.00 per diem.

Qualifications

• Successful completion of accredited occupational therapy program.
• Current New York State Occupational Therapy license.
• Current CPR certification required.

Responsibilities

• Provide evaluations and therapy interventions for patients.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams for patient care.
• Make high-level clinical decisions in dynamic environments.
• Educate patients and families on therapy processes.
• Progress and reassess interventions toward patient goals.

Skills

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Time management

Flexibility in prioritizing

Good written communication skills

Good oral communication skills

Education

Accredited Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctorate level occupational therapy program

Current NYS Occupational Therapy License

Current CPR Certification

Job description

Occupational Therapist - Per Diem - Acute 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 includes participation in the development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of programs and services for patients, families, and the community. The OT works collaboratively as a member of the interdisciplinary team and provides 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 and integrates findings into a comprehensive plan of care that is person‑centered and goal‑centered. Uses evidence‑based practice to guide decision making and therapy intensity. Assesses response to intervention and adjusts interventions/plan of care appropriately.
• Communication: Selects appropriate communication style based on age, learning style, cognition, and culture. Educates patient and family/caregivers using compassionate communication. Clearly communicates patient’s OT needs and 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 and patient presentation to identify relative and 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 toward goals and 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 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 Seneca View Skilled Nursing Facility – 220 Steuben St, Montour Falls, NY 14865.
• Shift(s): Days/Evenings FLEX. Operational hours are 7am to 6pm, Monday through Friday. Rotating weekends and holidays, with call.
• 0% – 5% local area travel may be expected.

Pay Range Disclosure

• $34.00 to $39.00 per diem.

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].