Occupational Therapist

Job Summary

Plans and conducts individualized occupational therapy programs to help patients develop, regain, or maintain their ability to perform daily activities. Teaches patients skills and techniques and how to use adaptive equipment for participating in activities. Studies, evaluates, and records patients’ activities and progress. Familiar with standard concepts, practices, and procedures within occupational therapy field. Relies on limited experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals.

Performs a variety of tasks. A certain degree of creativity and latitude is required.

• Reviews and documents history of illness and prior functional status
• Evaluates and documents physiological and anatomical status
• Selects and administers appropriate tests and measures accurately based on diagnosis
• Assesses cardiovascular status
• Assesses current functional status
• Assesses educational needs and learning preferences
• Evaluates need for adaptive and assistive devices
• Incorporates age, cultural, and ethnic considerations during assessment
• Assesses need for other services

• Bases plan of care on examination, evaluation, diagnosis, and prognosis
• Identifies anticipated goals and expected outcomes of all proposed interventions
• Describes proposed interventions considering patient expectations
• Adapts delivery of care to reflect respect and sensitivity to individual differences including age and culture/ethnicity
• Specifies frequency and duration of all proposed interventions
• Incorporates cultural and age differences in plan of care
• Includes plan for discharge
• Addresses need for services

• Clarifies current knowledge and understanding
• Identifies learning needs (disease information, equipment use, safety, body mechanics, ADLs, exercise, pain management, plan of care)
• Assesses barriers in learning/readiness to learn
• Determines patient’s preferred method of learning
• Identifies barriers to learning (cognition, mental status, vision, hearing, knowledge, communication, ability, pain)
• Documents appropriately
• Utilizes proper teaching techniques and maintains/enhances learner interest
• Results in desired performance appropriate to the activity
• Modifies instruction as needed to meet learner’s needs

• Knowledgeable in treatment parameters of all modalities
• Verbalizes and demonstrates knowledge of indications and contraindications of each modality
• Demonstrates correct use of equipment and procedure
• Provides patient education regarding specific treatment and desired results
• Ensures patient level of understanding prior to administering treatment
• Properly prepares and drapes patient when appropriate
• Observes and checks patient/skin conditions before and after treatment
• Assesses patient’s response to treatment and modifies parameters accordingly
• Provides call bell or safety alert mechanism to patient
• Appropriately administers treatment frequency

• Dons appropriate PPE and follows handwashing procedures to prevent infection
• Monitors vital signs appropriately
• Can state contraindications for entry into rehabilitation program
• Can state criteria for termination of session or modify program
• Follows weightbearing guidelines
• Identifies when to delay treatment and request further physician orders per policy
• Follows up with timely communication with other healthcare team members and other professionals for safe management of the patient
• Ensures efficient coordination of overall healthcare plan through effective communication with patients, colleagues, staff, and interdisciplinary team members
• Remains alert to and documents progress or unfavorable reaction to treatment
• Practices in a safe manner that minimizes risk to self and others

• Documentation is legible and uses only approved abbreviations
• Documentation is accurate, complete, and timely to support delivery of service

• Adheres to all ethical and legal practice standards
• Performs other duties as requested
• Manages resources (time, space, and equipment) to achieve departmental goals

• M.S. or postgraduate work in Occupational Therapy from an AOTA accredited program
• Ongoing continuing education courses in areas of interest
• Licensed as an Occupational Therapist by the New Jersey Department of Consumer Affairs

• Minimum 1 year clinical experience in an acute care physical rehabilitation setting treating orthopedic, geriatric, or neurological cases

• Must be able to lift, transport, and/or transfer patients and/or equipment
• Must be able to walk, stand, and bend for extended periods of time
• Must be able to provide heavy manual resistance while exercising patients
• Must possess good manual dexterity and good visual and hearing acuity