Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant Inpatient - Omaha (FT, 40 hrs, Days)

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title:   Inpatient Occupational Therapy Assistant             
Job Code:  221003 
Immediate Supervisor:  Inpatient OT Clinical Director                                         Status:  Non-exempt                        

DEPARTMENT FUNCTION/JOB OVERVIEW

Responsible for implementing occupational therapy treatment for assigned patients under the supervision of an occupational therapist in order to restore function, relieve pain, and prevent disability.  Responsible for providing quality patient care through discharge.  Responsible for assisting with specific assessment measures.  Responsible for maintaining accurate and timely documentation.  Work will be performed in an ethical and legal manner following organizational policies, processes, protocols and procedures. Responsible for quality service delivery and internal/external customer relations for Madonna as a whole, including upholding the mission and values for the department and facility.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

    (INFORMATION)

1. Records pertinent patient information in order to document changes and comply with legal and ethical standards, including daily charting, team summaries, plan of care, insurance justifications, discharge summaries and patient exercise programs.
2. Contributes to the assessment process under the supervision of a licensed occupational therapist; independently performs parts of assessment using standardized and criterion referenced tests.
3. Records daily treatment charges and equipment billing in order to insure fair and accurate financial records.
4. In coordination with a supervising occupational therapist, analyzes and revises treatment programs on a regular basis to insure continuing appropriate intervention.
5. Monitors patient's response to treatment and reports information to appropriate supervisor.
6. Informs occupational therapist to co-sign discharge summaries, plan of care, and any other applicable documentation.
7. Modifies therapeutic interventions to accommodate the age of the patient population within plan of care established by supervising therapist.
   
       (PEOPLE)
8. In coordination with a supervising occupational therapist, provides occupational therapy treatment to patients including but not limited to activities of daily living, functional activities, therapeutic exercise, fine and gross motor coordination, home equipment adaptations/modifications, and appropriate utilization of group therapies, in order to facilitate patient recovery.
9. In coordination with a supervising occupational therapist, instructs patients and families/caregivers in functional activities and exercise programs in order to facilitate follow up on discharge.
10. In coordination with a supervising occupational therapist, assists patients and families with recommendations, obtaining and fitting of needed equipment.
11. Provides education regarding the patient's condition and/or disease process so that patients and families will have a basic understanding.
12. Supervises rehab associates, volunteers and assistant students.
13. Communicates effectively with patients, families, staff, outside contacts/sources.
14. Follows instruction from supervisor and/or director to perform other functions as assigned in order to achieve the goals within the department and the program.
15. Instructs and teaches staff new information through in-services, per the education process.
16. Participates and assists in department and/or facility committees and/or task forces.
17. Instructs and teaches students from professional programs for occupational therapy assistants, as assigned.
18. Must perceive customer relations as a primary focus, and continually strive to satisfy the needs of every customer in all areas of the work force.
19. Participates, confers and negotiates at team meetings to develop an appropriate team plan for each patient.
    
        (THINGS)
20. Operates equipment used for the provision of occupational therapy treatment.
21. In coordination with a supervising occupational therapist, inspects and monitors orthotic and prosthetic devices in order to ensure fit and function.
22. Assists in the fabrication of splints, casts and adapted devices, setting up and using appropriate tools for each task.
23. Maintains and ensures a safe environment for the department. Handles and operates all necessary equipment and performs required duties according to established safety standards to maintain compliance with regulations and prevent injury.
24. Operates computer and applicable software applications.
25. Assists with ensuring cleanliness of equipment and environment.
    
    
    PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
    
    Medium work with frequent lifting.  Moderate assist times 1 transfers for a patient of 250 pounds who is able to use his/her upper extremities for support routinely requires pulling/lifting force of approximately 50 pounds to be generated in order to complete a safe transfer. Requires sufficient strength to produce 50 pounds of force to push a wheelchair with a 300-pound individual on level surfaces.
    
    Constant walking with maximum duration of up 30 minutes sustained walking on tile, carpet and other surfaces. Must tolerate frequent standing with sustained periods of up to 1 hour on tile, carpet, and shower surfaces. Must tolerate frequent sitting with sustained periods of up to 1 hour.  Frequent reaching with both arms at low, waist, and high levels. Frequent grasping of both hands for transfers and repositioning requiring normal grip strength based on national averages. Frequent stooping, bending, and twisting are required for patient care. Constant near visual acuity to evaluate and monitor patients.  Ordinary hearing and speaking skills.  May be exposed to biohazardous materials. Primarily inside work. May be exposed to patients who are in an agitated or aggressive state. May be prolonged exposure to high temperature and humid conditions and to disinfecting chemicals used in the pool. Mobility required for travel to scheduled events or meetings as needed.
    
    
    QUALIFICATIONS (Education/training and/or Experience)
    
    Associate degree from an occupational therapy assistant program.  Must possess current Nebraska licensure.  CPR for Health Care Provider/CPR for Professional Rescuer preferred.  Valid Nebraska driverâ??s license and proof of good driving record preferred. 
    
    Background checks are conducted.  When specific authorization forms are requested so that full background and history can be obtained, employees/applicants must sign the form(s) requested.