Occupational Therapist - Inpatient - Per Diem

cayugahealthsystem; Town of Ithaca (NY); On-site; USD 46,838 - 53,726; Part time

Job summary

Cayuga Health System is seeking a Per Diem Occupational Therapist to provide therapy interventions within an acute inpatient rehabilitation setting. The role involves working collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team and managing high-level clinical decisions for patient care. This position is located onsite at Cayuga Medical Center, supporting operational needs throughout the week and weekends.

The ideal candidate will have an accredited Occupational Therapy degree, a current NYS license, and CPR certification, with strong communication skills and a commitment to patient-centered care.

Qualifications

• Successful completion of accredited Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctorate level Occupational Therapy Program.
• Current NYS Occupational Therapy License.
• Current CPR/BLS Certification.

Responsibilities

• Provide evaluations and therapy interventions for patients.
• Participate in program development and evaluation.
• Work collaboratively with the interdisciplinary team.
• Make high-level clinical decisions in a dynamic environment.

Skills

Communication

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Time management

Education

Accredited Occupational Therapy Program

Current NYS Occupational Therapy License

Current CPR/BLS Certification

Job description

Occupational Therapist - Per Diem - Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation

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, Various as Scheduled. Days/Evenings Flex. Inpatient occupational therapy services provided between 7am - 6pm. This position will support weekday coverage needs along with rotating weekend coverage.
• 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 differential. Pay rate based on experience.

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].