Occupational Therapist - Per Diem

Hospital for Special Care; United States; On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Hospital for Special Care is hiring an Occupational Therapist to evaluate and treat patients, implementing therapeutic activities aimed at enhancing skills for mental and physical functionality.

The role requires a Baccalaureate degree in occupational therapy, current licensure, and eligibility for certification. Candidates must demonstrate strong communication skills and have knowledge in clinical judgment. The position offers a competitive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Eligibility for NBCOT certification.
• Current Connecticut licensure or temporary permit.
• Valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate, plan, implement, and document therapeutic interventions.
• Supervise occupational therapy assistants.
• Participate in interdisciplinary team communication.

Skills

Occupational therapy knowledge

CPR certification

Communication skills

Clinical judgment

Problem identification

Education

Baccalaureate degree in occupational therapy

MHS in Occupational Therapy

Job description

Position Details

Location: Hospital for Special Care

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 0

Work Shift: First Shift

Department: Outpatient Services

Qualifications

• Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a major in occupational therapy.
• Eligibility to take, or has passed, the entry‑level certification examination for Occupational Therapists by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. (NBCOT).
• Current Connecticut licensure or temporary permit and/or license per Department of Public Health Policy.
• Maintains continued competency requirements as defined by state.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Preferred: Current CPR certification.
• Preferred: Member of the American Occupational Therapy Association.
• Preferred: MHS in Occupational Therapy.

Job Summary

To evaluate, plan, implement, and document a goal‑oriented program of purposeful activities and therapeutic interventions to develop or maintain skills necessary for a patient’s maximal physical and mental functioning. To supervise and direct the occupational therapy assistant. To participate in an interdisciplinary team approach, communicating relevant information to others and providing education to staff, patients, and families as necessary.

Physical Demands

Ability to tolerate up to four hours of consecutive work, which may include constant standing or walking with occasional periods of sitting; ability to safely transfer patients and provide contact guarding or hands‑on assistance; ability to lift or carry objects up to 10 pounds continuously, to 50 pounds frequently, and over 75 pounds occasionally for patient transfer/repositioning; ability to push/pull over 60 pounds frequently throughout the day for patient transport; frequent need to initiate body positional changes such as bending, reaching, and occasionally climbing, squatting, kneeling, or crawling to access equipment from high and low areas and while providing treatment interventions; functional fine and gross motor skills and upper extremity sensation needed; intact vision needed for observation of patient’s non‑verbal responses and skin assessment; must be able to initiate and interpret communication with patient and others. Additional physical demand for Occupational Therapist at main campus: ability to tolerate submersion in up to shoulder‑depth water from 1‑3 hours.

Cognitive Demands

Job requires independent problem identification, abstract reasoning, adaptability to new situations, quick decision making, selective attention, discernment, perception, and/or concentration in noisy environments; clinical judgment to analyze and synthesize information; ability to learn new techniques, apply theory to functional context, and modify plan of care; high level of writing proficiency; working knowledge of medical terms, Medicare guidelines, and documentation and billing requirements; high level of communication skill including expression of abstract/complex ideas, negotiation, active listening, and ability to dialogue with multiple parties; ability to perform basic arithmetic operations.

Work Demands

Primarily indoors, occasionally outdoors; working around and with others continuously; frequent schedule fluctuations due to census, documentation, program development, and weekend coverage; noisy and somewhat crowded setting; exposure to body fluids, blood‑borne pathogens, chemicals, and other agents that may cause irritation.

Essential Functions

• Provides evaluation and treatment of cardiopulmonary, musculoskeletal, and neurological impairments per state practice act and licensure requirements.
• Recognizes physiological, psychological, and age‑related changes in the patient, consults with other health care team members, and establishes measurable goals with patient and family.
• Plans, implements, delivers, and delegates patient care using therapeutic modalities and interventions, revises treatments as needed, and instructs patient/family via verbal, written, and audiovisual materials.
• Participates in discharge planning and recommends community resources.
• Maintains knowledge of advances through evidence‑based review and continuing education.
• Coordinates time management of self and support personnel to meet productivity requirements and department goals.
• Documents patient and professional interactions timely to maintain continuity of care for regulatory agencies.
• Communicates effectively with patients, families, healthcare team members, supervisors, and students.
• Demonstrates professionalism and utilizes AIDET principles in all interactions.

Benefits and Opportunity

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and offer a competitive benefits package.

Equal Employment Opportunity

HFSC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively encourages applications from all qualified individuals.