Occupational Therapist - Outpatient - Ochsner Neuroscience Institute

Ochsner Health; Louisiana; On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Ochsner Health is seeking an occupational therapist to deliver treatment autonomously, evaluate patients, and develop treatment plans. The position requires a Bachelor's degree and a current occupational therapy license.

You will assist in program development, maintain patient records, and ensure compliance with care standards. Strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential. This role involves physical demands and patient interaction in a healthcare setting.

Qualifications

• Must hold a current occupational therapy license in the state of practice.
• Eligibility for licensure by examination is required.
• Reciprocity from another state is also acceptable.

Responsibilities

• Performs evaluations and provides treatment programs to facilitate patient-specific goals.
• Assesses the patient's response to treatment and recommends treatment plan changes.
• Maintains patient records according to documentation standards.

Skills

Proficiency in using computers, software, and web-based applications

Effective verbal and written communication skills

Excellent judgment and decision-making skills

Strong interpersonal skills

Ability to remain flexible with fluctuating schedules

Education

Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy

Tools

Basic Life Support (BLS)

Job description

This job functions autonomously to deliver occupational therapy treatment, either through referral or direct to consumer. It involves evaluating patients, developing treatment plans, and monitoring progress toward treatment goals. The role ensures that patient needs are met through access to care, patient experience, and quality of care metrics, and assists in program development to meet community needs.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

Education

Required – Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy.

Work Experience

Required – None.

Certifications

• Current occupational therapy license in the state of practice.
• Eligibility for licensure by examination.
• Reciprocity from another state.

Basic Life Support (BLS) from the American Heart Association.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)

• Proficiency in using computers, software, and web-based applications.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills and ability to present information clearly and professionally to varying levels of individuals throughout the patient care process.
• Excellent judgment and decision‑making skills in order to deal with a variety of patients and diagnoses.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to remain flexible with fluctuating schedules based on patient demand.

Job Duties

• Performs evaluations and provides treatment programs to facilitate patient‑specific goals.
• Assesses the patient’s response to treatment and recommends treatment plan changes as appropriate.
• Maintains patient records according to documentation standards, policies, and procedures.
• Attains established productivity levels set forth by administration, including but not limited to access to care, patient experience and quality.
• Assists in program development and enhancement to meet patient and community needs.
• Adapts behavior to the specific patient population, including but not limited to: respect for privacy, method of introduction to the patient, adapting explanation of services or procedures to be performed, requesting permissions and communication style.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work only. They are not an exhaustive list of all required responsibilities, duties, and skills. Other duties may be added, or this description amended at any time.

Remains knowledgeable on current federal, state and local laws, accreditation standards or regulatory agency requirements that apply to the assigned area of responsibility and ensures compliance with all such laws, regulations and standards.

This employer maintains and complies with its Compliance & Privacy Program and Standards of Conduct, including the immediate reporting of any known or suspected unethical or questionable behaviors or conduct; patient/employee safety, patient privacy, and/or other compliance‑related concerns.

Physical and Environmental Demands

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.

Very Heavy Work – Exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Heavy Work. (Constantly: activity or condition exists 2/3 or more of the time) to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Sedentary Work. Even though the weight lifted may be only a negligible amount, a job should be rated Light Work: (1) when it requires walking or standing to a significant degree; or (2) when it requires sitting most of the time but entails pushing and/or pulling of arm or leg controls; and/or (3) when the job requires working at a production rate pace entailing the constant pushing and pulling of materials even though the weight of those materials is negligible. NOTE: The constant stress and strain of maintaining a production rate pace, especially in an industrial setting, can be and is physically demanding of a worker even though the amount of force exerted is negligible.

Duties performed routinely require exposure to blood, body fluid and tissue.

The incumbent works in a patient care area; works in an area where patients enter; works directly with patients; and/or works with specimens that could contain communicable diseases. The incumbent has an occupational risk for exposure to all communicable diseases.

Because the incumbent works within a healthcare setting, there may be occupational risk for exposure to hazardous medications or hazardous waste within the environment through receipt, transport, storage, preparation, dispensing, administration, cleaning and/or disposal of contaminated waste. The risk level of exposure may increase depending on the essential job duties of the role.

The employer is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.