OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT II - ACUTE REHAB THERAPY

Performs occupational therapy procedures and related tasks that have been selected by the supervising occupational therapist. Works under the direction of an occupational therapist for all clinical information. Documents care given.
The Occupational Therapist Assistant displays and practices a work-style that reflects the mission, vision and values of the Rehabilitation Services Department, as well as the Organization. Projects an image of professionalism in communication, appearance and conduct. Participates in the continuous quality improvement process. Maintains a working knowledge of departmental and hospital standards, policies, and procedures. Performs other duties as assigned.
Essential Functions

• Reviews the occupational therapy evaluation, daily treatment notes, physician referral, and medical record before treatment.
• Contacts the occupational therapist regarding change in status of the patient and/or when a change to the treatment plan or goals may be indicated. Changes to the treatment plan are done only with the approval of the occupational therapist.
• Provides interventions as part of the established occupational therapy plan of care.
• Progresses treatment towards goals established by the occupational therapist.
• Provides education to patient, family, and/or caregiver regarding purpose of daily activities, use of equipment, home exercises and activity.
• Gathers data through valid and reliable objective testing and use of outcomes measures.
• Seeks feedback from patient, family and others regarding provided treatments.
• Completes documentation in a timely manner that contains all necessary information that meets all regulatory and insurance guidelines. Documentation and signatures are legible. Uses only approved abbreviations.
• Communicates with physicians, and other health care team members as scope, licensure and regulation allows.
• Manages a number of patients at the same time with high energy and organization.
• Oversees the clinical work of the rehabilitation aide.
• Consistently meets departmental and clinical productivity and efficiency requirements.
• With flexibility, provides care in multiple clinical settings and locations.
• Actively seeks feedback and is receptive without becoming defensive.
• Participates in outside continuing education and incorporates information into practice.
• Demonstrates support for decisions made by leadership and senior administration.
• Ensures that quality patient care is delivered to all patients on a 24-hour basis, and the unit is maintained in accordance with professional and regulatory standards and the philosophy and goals of Hoag.
• Completes mandatory stroke specific requirements for certification.
• Acute Rehabilitation Unit: Demonstrates competency in Functional Improvement Measure (FIM) scoring. May require travel to patient’s home for home evaluation.

• Demonstrates a solid knowledge base within a wide range of diagnoses including general medicine, orthopedics, neurology, and cardiopulmonary.
• Assists with the education and orientation of new or existing staff.
• Acts as fieldwork supervisor for students with good outcome.
• Participates as instructor in an established class or program.
• Demonstrates ability to delegate and communicate with team members in accordance with servant-leadership principles.
• Actively seeks out advanced clinical information for patient care which may include literature review and staff consultation.
• Attends rehabilitation specific clinical education coursework, providing well-organized, informative in-services, and incorporates information into practice. In-services to meet the guidelines of California Board of Occupational Therapy.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education, Training and Experience

Required:

• Current licensure as an Occupational Therapy Assistant in the State of California.
• Current BLS certification.
• Minimum of 18 months experience as an Occupational Therapist Assistant in an acute healthcare system environment.

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s Degree.

Skills or Other Qualifications

Required:

• Critical thinking, ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively on the patient’s behalf.
• Works well 1:1 and in a team to obtain better outcomes.
• Possesses a knowledge of the business of healthcare along the continuum of care, clinical decision support data analysis/synthesis, and quality improvement, regulatory and legislative issues.
• Self-directed individual with ability to prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines, excellent attention to detail, and maintain a high level of work quality.
• Proven ability to interface with all customer levels (physicians, organizational staff, insurance companies, patients and family members).
• Decisive and capable of exercising good judgment under pressure.

Preferred:

• Qualified bilingual or multilingual candidates.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, plus healthcare database systems.