OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST- LYMPHEDEMA

Independence Health System; Latrobe (Westmoreland County); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Independence Health System seeks an Occupational Therapist to complete evaluations and establish plans of care across the hospital setting. You will assess patients, adjust plans as needed, and support staff and students while promoting efficient, evidence-based practice.

You will document care in EMR, communicate with the care team, and participate in ongoing program development and community outreach as required.

Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited program approved by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).
• Strong leadership ability, good organizational skills, independent and critical thinking.
• Ability to communicate complex topics to a broad audience.
• Time management and ability to work independently and in a team.
• Understanding of current billing requirements and payer guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Performs OT evaluations and establishes plans of care based on age and goals.
• Documents therapy care in EMR including evaluations, progress, discharge planning.
• Collaborates with patients, families and health team members to ensure quality care.
• Oversees students/COTA and supports staff in professional manner.
• Promotes program development and participates in outreach as needed.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Time management

Critical thinking

Education

Masters or Doctorate in Occupational Therapy (preferred)

Job description

Job Summary / Overall Objectives

An Occupational Therapist completes Occupational Therapy Evaluations and establishes plans of care for patients based upon age specific considerations and patient/family goals in various treatment arenas throughout the hospital. The occupational therapist continually assesses the treatment program and patient’s discharge planning needs, recommending changes to the program as appropriate. Assists certified occupational therapy assistants or aides as assigned, participates actively in work process and program development to enhance the work environment, and participates in other duties as assigned. Utilizes time efficiently and effectively. Adheres to scheduling and productivity guidelines. Staff schedules require flexibility as they are dependent on patient care needs, which may include weekend and evening hours as necessary, to meet demand in their primary area or the needs across the system. Promotes and attends community outreach events as necessary.

Essential Job Functions

• Documents on the white boards in the patient rooms to improve and aid in interdisciplinary communication and continuity of care (where applicable by location).
• Understands and upholds the mission, vision and values of the organization. Demonstrates and adheres to the mission, vision, and values in all aspects of the position.
• Performs clinical responsibilities in a manner that provides effective age‑specific patient care while achieving optimal outcomes.
• Completes evaluations within appropriate time frame per policy.
  • Sets goals with measurable outcomes and appropriate time frames.
  • Demonstrates appropriate use of various treatment modalities in patient care.
  • Recommends discontinuation of treatment when appropriate.
  • Initiates discussions with physician and other medical team members when appropriate to modify the treatment program.
  • Assists with overseeing COTA, students, and support personnel in a professional manner.
• Adheres to ethical and legal practice standards.
  • Reports any concerns to rehab leadership, or compliance line as appropriate.
• Maintains records that are accurate, concise, timely and legible in accordance with System, IT or Payor policies.
  • Documents therapy care in format and accordance with practice setting on EMR including evaluations, treatment provided, response to treatment, patient progress, education, family conferences, discharge planning and discharge summary as appropriate.
  • Communicates post‑discharge needs and appropriate resources.
• Educates all patients and families in a manner consistent with their level of understanding and therapeutic needs.
  • Documents about education and training as well as patient and/or family level of achievement with training provided.
• Captures maximum revenue for quality services provided while maintaining established standards of care.
  • Utilizes appropriate documentation including CPT and CDM codes to match services provided.
  • Maintains adherence to established efficiency standards.
  • Checks for accuracy in charging based on therapeutic intervention provided prior to signing and finalizing daily documentation.
  • Provides relevant information to insurance providers to ensure proper authorization is secured prior to initiation of treatment (when indicated).
• Promotes continual performance improvement both within the Rehabilitation department and throughout Independence Health System.
  • Demonstrates individual initiative for performance improvement both within the department and throughout Independence Health System.
  • Actively identifies needs for improvement in the department and system wide and discusses with manager.
• Collaborates with patients, families, and other health team members to provide excellence in patient care.
  • Communicates regularly with other team members via verbal, written, and/or established electronic communication methods.
  • Attends interdisciplinary team meetings when indicated.
  • Attends all required staff meetings. If absent or unable to attend, reads minutes and signs appropriate sign‑in sheets to indicate review of material.
• Participates actively in the ongoing development of new therapy programs and in the enhancement of established programs.
  • Attends appropriate internal or external education opportunities to promote growth and expansion of specific programs.
  • Researches appropriate innovative ideas via journal and internet exploration and discusses these with manager leads and peers.
• Implements a self‑directed plan for professional development.
  • Demonstrates an awareness of strengths and weaknesses and seeks guidance as needed to address limitations.
  • Initiates and participates in continuing education: lectures, video/audio conferences, written and online courses.
  • Develops and conducts in‑service as appropriate to share information gained from external resources.
  • Maintains yearly record of Continuing Education via completion of Education Record.
• Upholds fiscal and operational responsibility.
  • Utilizes supplies and equipment in a fiscally responsible manner.
  • Maximizes utilization of non‑direct patient care time.
  • Maintains responsibility for reporting accurate hours worked.
  • Travels to other entities or sites within the System as patient census dictates, to provide necessary care where patient need is greatest.
  • Staff schedules require flexibility as they are dependent on patient care needs, which may include evening and weekend hours, as necessary to meet demand in their primary area or the needs across the System.
• Participates in overseeing the students as appropriate.
• Understanding & working knowledge of insurances and their documentation, authorization and billing framework and requirements.
• Communicates to leadership any changes or volume in census that will impact daily productivity of the clinic.
• Other duties as assigned.

Competency and Experience [Knowledge, Skills and Abilities]

Required Qualifications / Experience

• Graduate of an accredited program approved by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).
• Strong leadership ability, good organizational skills, independent and critical thinking skills, sound judgment, and knowledge of legal aspects and liability of nursing practice.
• Strong ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.
• Strong time management and ability to work independently and in a team setting; creativity in treatment in various settings; ability to transition smoothly between various treatment settings.
• Demonstrate understanding of current billing requirements and adherence to payor guidelines.

Preferred Qualifications / Experience

• Masters or Doctorate Occupational Therapy preferred.
• One (1) to three (3) years’ experience in a healthcare setting.
• Certified Hand Therapist certification for outpatient setting.
• Previous clinical experience/knowledge and/or interest in certification in specialty treatment programs, including Lymphedema for outpatient clinics if position is for Lymphedema OT.

License, Certification & Clearances

• Current PA State Licensure (Occupational Therapy).
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) approved curriculum of the American Heart Association (CPR and AED) program.
• Act 33 with renewal.
• Act 34 with renewal.
• Act 73 FBI Clearance.
• Graduate Therapist is expected to sit for the licensure exam at the soonest availability, not to exceed six (6) months following date of hire.

Position Type / Expected Hours of Work

• Incumbent will be scheduled based on operational need (rotate shifts, standby, on‑call, etc.).
• Travel may be expected locally between System locations.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Independence Health and its affiliated companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. It is their policy to prohibit discrimination of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, or genetic information, or any other classification protected by law. Independence Health and its affiliated companies will comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

Disclaimer

This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Moreover, duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Work Environment

When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.

Physical Demands

Essential – Absolute Necessity.
Marginal – Minimal Necessity.
Constantly – 5.5 to 8 hours or more or 200 reps/shift.
Frequently – 2.5 to 5.5 hours or more or 32‑200 reps/shift.
Occasionally – 0.25 to 2.5 hours or 2‑32 reps/shift.
Rarely – Less than 0.25 hours or less than 2 reps/shift.
Never – Less than 0.25 hours.

Physical conditions (examples):
Bending (Stooping), Sitting, Walking, Climbing Stairs, Climbing Ladders, Standing, Kneeling, Squatting (Crouching), Twisting/Turning, Keyboard/Computer Operation, Gross Grasp, Fine Finger Manipulation, Hand/Arm Coordination, Pushing/Pulling (lbs. of force – 10#/50#), Carry (10#/50#), Transfer/Push/Pull Patients, Reaching Above Shoulder Level, Reaching Forward, Propelling Self, Propelling Self Self, Lifting Floor to Knuckle (25#), Lifting Seat Pan to Knuckle (50#), Lifting Knuckle to Shoulder (10#), Lifting Shoulder to Overhead (5#).
When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.