Director of Occupational Therapy

Description

The Director of Occupational Therapy (OTR/L) provides clinical leadership, administrative oversight, and strategic direction for the Occupational Therapy Department in a licensed pediatric Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/IID). The Director ensures the delivery of high-quality, person-centered, and ICF/IID-compliant active treatment services that support residents’ functional abilities, safety, dignity, and quality of life.

The Director is responsible for program development, regulatory compliance, staff supervision, interdisciplinary collaboration, and operational management of OT services, including ADLs, bathing and feeding programs, orthotics and splinting, and mobility/wheelchair and positioning clinics. This role ensures OT services are aligned with federal and state regulations, professional standards of practice, and the mission and values of St. Mary’s Home.

• Provide overall leadership and management of the Occupational Therapy Department.
• Recruit, orient, train, supervise, and evaluate OT department staff.
• Foster a collaborative, accountable, and growth-oriented departmental culture.
• Develop staffing plans, schedules, and coverage models to meet resident needs.
• Oversee departmental budgeting, supply procurement, inventory management, and equipment planning.
• Support student education, fieldwork placements, and professional development initiatives.
• Conduct performance evaluations, and offer constructive feedback.
• Participate in organizational committees, quality improvement initiatives, and strategic planning.
• Collaborate with other departments, including other therapeutic services departments (PT, speech, dietary services), nursing, residential, recreational therapy, etc.
• Participate in policy development.

• Direct and oversee the delivery of occupational therapy services that meet ICF/IID active treatment requirements, ensuring services are designed to increase, maintain, or prevent regression of functional skills.
• Ensure OT services are fully integrated into residents’ Individual Service Plans (ISPs) and implemented consistently across disciplines and shifts.
• Establish, review, and update OT clinical protocols and treatment standards in accordance with CMS, state regulations, and AOTA standards of practice.
• Participate in interdisciplinary team (IDT) meetings, care conferences, and facility-wide clinical planning to support coordinated resident care.
• Provide clinical supervision, mentorship, and performance feedback to OTR/Ls, COTAs, and OT support staff.

• Direct the development, implementation, and evaluation of OT-driven ADL programs, including bathing, toileting, dressing, grooming, hygiene, and related self-care skills.
• Ensure ADL interventions promote maximum independence, functional participation, safety, comfort, and dignity, consistent with ICF/IID regulations.
• Oversee ADL assessments, documentation, adaptive equipment recommendations, and task analysis processes.
• Collaborate with nursing and direct care leadership to ensure consistent implementation of ADL plans across all shifts.
• Ensure staff education and competency related to ADL supports, adaptive strategies, and dignity-preserving care practices.

• Collaborate with SLPs, medical providers, and residential staff on nutrition management.
• Ensure feeding evaluations, Mealtime Assistance Plans, and interventions are implemented in alignment with physician orders, ISPs, and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee staff training related to feeding safety, positioning, adaptive feeding equipment, and risk management.
• Monitor program outcomes and address clinical or safety concerns related to feeding interventions.

• Direct OT services related to orthotic, splint, positioning, and adaptive equipment assessment and fabrication.
• Oversee orthotics and splinting standards, maintenance schedules, safety checks, and replacement…