Occupational Therapist OT

Vantage at Lowell; Oaklands (MA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Vantage at Lowell is seeking a licensed Occupational Therapist for a full-time position in a skilled nursing facility. The OT will plan and direct therapy services, assess patients, and ensure documentation complies with federal and state standards.

The role includes discharge planning collaboration and supervising therapy staff. Even though the facility demands high-quality care, the OT will have opportunities to contribute to program development and patient rehabilitation, with emphasis on

Qualifications

• Plan, develop, organize, implement, evaluate and direct occupational therapy services.
• Maintains accurate documentation and reports.
• Ensures effective communication regarding OT programs.

Responsibilities

• Plan, develop, organize, implement, evaluate and direct occupational therapy services per regulations.
• Assess patients appropriate to their age and provide care accordingly.
• Complete documentation in a timely manner following state and federal rules.
• Participate in discharge planning and patient care plans.
• Supervise and direct the occupational therapy assistant and ensure safe handling of equipment.

Job description

FT OT Position

POSITION SUMMARY

Primarily responsible for planning, organizing, developing and directing occupational therapy services in accordance with current applicable federal and state standards, guidelines and regulations. To ensure the highest degree of quality resident care can be maintained at all times.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Plan, develop, organize, implement, evaluate and direct occupational therapy services as well as its programs and activities in accordance with current regulations and guidelines that govern the skilled nursing facility.
• Assumes responsibility for the assessment of patients appropriate to the age of the patient
• Assumes responsibility for the care of patients appropriate to the age of the patient
• Maintains and completes accurate documentation, department records and reports.
• Ensures effective communication regarding OT programs.
• Contributes to the daily management of patient care and rehabilitation personnel.
• Maintains commitment to professional growth and competency.
• Operates and maintains equipment and environment in a safe and orderly manner.
• Contributes to the philosophy of quality care and human dignity at the facility.
• Contributes to the effective operation of the facility by demonstrating dependability in job performance.
• Maintains an efficiency standard of 75% weekly to meet expected facility benchmarks.
• Participates with discharge planning, development and implementation of resident care plans.
• Assumes the responsibility, authority and accountability of directing the occupation therapy assistant.
• Performs evaluations/screens in a timely and efficient manner.
• Completed documentation in a timely manner in accordance with state and federal regulations.
• Maintains appropriate continuing education credits in accordance with state regulations.
• Maintains a positive work environment for residents and coworkers.
• Ensures proper HIPPA guidelines are followed and maintained.
• Helps patient to develop, recover, or maintain daily living and work skills
• Aids patients in improving their basic motor functions and reasoning abilities
• Assists patients in performing all types of activities, ranging from using a computer to caring for daily needs, such as dressing, cooking and eating
• Incorporates physical exercises to increase patients’ strength and dexterity
• Uses computer programs to help patients improve decision-making, abstract reasoning, problem solving, perceptual skills, memory, sequencing and coordination
• Instructs patients with permanent disabilities in the use of adaptive equipment, such as wheelchairs and orthotics
• Designs or makes special equipment needed at home or work
• Develops computer-aided adaptive equipment
• Arranges employment, evaluates work environment, plans work activities, and assesses the patient’s progress; collaborates with the patient and employer to modify the work environment, so work can be successfully completed
• Assesses patients’ home for hazards, recommends restorative or safety adaptations
• Provides guidance to family members and caregivers in safe and effective methods of caring for individuals
• Evaluates patients’ progress and prepares reports that detail progress
• Performs other position-related duties as assigned, depending on assignment setting Marginal Responsibilities
• Complete required orientation as directed by facility
• Follow facility and OSHA safety rules and procedures while on assignment
• Follow facility and GHR Unusual Occurrence Protocol
• Respect cultural and religious practices of patients
• Punctual and dependent for assigned/confirmed shifts Position Requirements

WORKING CONDITIONS

Occupational Therapists work in a variety of work settings. Evening and weekend work may be required in order to fit patient schedules. The job is physically demanding. Occupational Therapists are required to stand for long periods of time. They spend considerable time stooping, kneeling and crouching. OTs move heavy equipment. They assist with patient transfers and lifts or help them turn, stand or walk. So, to guard against back injury, they must follow proper body mechanics and procedures for lifting/moving patients.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Ability to lift/move fifty (50) pounds.
• Ability to stand for extended periods
• Fine motor skills
• Visual acuity

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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach forward with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit and stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move fifty (50) pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Physical Demand Ratings are an estimate of the overall strength requirements that are considered to be important for an average, successful work performance of a specific job. In order to classify the occupation of a worker with a physical demand rating, the most strenuous and frequently performed tasks are evaluated. The overall physical demand rating for a job of the OT falls within the Medium classification according to the Dictionary of Occupational Titles. (Exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Light Work.)

*Physical demands as published by the US Department of Labor, 1991 in the Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 4th, Edition.