Location: Newport,VT, USA
Statement of Purpose
Organizes and conducts occupational therapy programs in the hospital and contracting agencies to facilitate rehabilitation of the mentally or physically disabled patients of all ages. Directs patient participation in selected tasks to restore, reinforce, and enhance performance; facilitates the learning of those skills and functions essential for adaptation and productivity, diminish or correct pathology, and to promote and maintain health. Collaborates with interdisciplinary team.
Current position is an OT Generalist, but must have school experience.
Essential Functions, Duties and Responsibilities
Performs a complete evaluation and assessment of each patient based upon current practice standards for diagnosis. Clearly identifies Occupational Therapy problems, cognitive, structural or functional abnormality, medical versus non-medical problems and acknowledges other potential health problems as they relate to the patient.
Incorporates physiological, psychological, and psychosocial needs of the patient into the development of the treatment program and goals.
Selects and appropriately implements the correct evaluation procedures based upon current practice standards for the diagnosis and based upon individual need.
Develops a treatment plan that is comprehensive, based upon analysis of gathered data, patient goals, acuity, previous level of function and barriers. Plans occupational therapy programs.
Effectively applies treatment techniques appropriate to the patient's needs including physical agents, therapeutic exercise procedures, developmental activities, neurophysiological treatment techniques, functional activities, manual therapy, activities of daily living, and participation in a variety of cognitive retraining, sensorimotor, educational, recreational, and social activities designed to help patients regain physical or mental functioning or to adjust to their handicap. Explains and justifies the rationale for the treatment selected.
Effectively adapts the patient's environment to reduce or eliminate barriers to optimal function, including but not limited to acute care, work site evaluation, home safety evaluations and equipment.
Re-assesses the patient's problems at appropriate intervals, modifies treatment plans and goals.
Recognizes when patient has received optimal benefit from services.
Evaluates need for orthotics, prosthetics, and assistive devices. Designs and fabricates adaptive devices such as orthosis and braces for patient use. Assures appropriate fit and adjustment of final products. Instructs patient in care of device.
Collaborates with patient, significant others, care givers, and NCH treatment team to develop a plan of care and treatment goals that are realistic and appropriate for the patient. Adjusts programs as needed.
Handles infants appropriately observing and responding to changes in reflexes. Discusses with parents/care givers follow-up care, treatment options and includes them in the decision-making process.
Talks to child about therapy procedure and how it is used for their problem; instructs caregivers regarding follow-up care and treatment options; uses appropriate devices including toys/games to reinforce therapy. Understands which modalities are appropriate for children and takes appropriate precautions.
Shows respect for adolescent patient's opinions; explains how treatment/therapy may affect their condition; allows active patient participation in development of treatment plan. Avoids authoritarian approaches.
Communicates with geriatric patient with an awareness of sensory problems, communication or learning barriers; is careful of current medical and physical condition; incorporates knowledge of changes in healing rates, physiological changes associated with aging into treatment plan; encourages as much independence as possible; includes patient/caregivers in development of goals and treatment plan.
Always maintains medical records that are; timely, logical, concise, thorough, legible, legal, accurate and in accordance with departmental standards. Documents each communication and treatment.
Communicates observations, facts, and comments with interdisciplinary team members, individually, and through team meeting presentations.
Selects constructive activities suited to the individual's physical capacity, intelligence level, and interest.
Teaches patients the skills and techniques required for participation in activities; and evaluates patients progress, attitudes, and behavior as related to their rehabilitative potential.
Adapts program according to the needs of individual patients.
Maintains department policies, procedures, objectives, and quality assurance program, safety,
environmental and infection control.
Assists in care and maintenance of department equipment and supplies.
Attends meetings as required and participates on committees as directed.
Enhances professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, current literature, in-service meetings, and workshops.
Conducts training programs and participates in training medical nursing personnel and public in occupational therapy techniques and objectives.
Recommends and develops new services and programs.
Performs other duties as directed by department head/supervisor.
Working Conditions
Must be well versed in all aspects of Occupational Therapy. Must show evidence of good analytical assessment skills, independent decision-making abilities and excellent skills in treatment documentation. May use power tools. Manual dexterity and mobility required. Some lifting of supplies, equipment and positioning of patients required.
Job Requirements
Graduate of an accredited program in Occupational Therapy. Licensed to practice in the State of Vermont. Must be well-versed in all aspects of Occupational Therapy, including pediatrics. Must show evidence of good analytical assessment skills, independent decision-making abilities and excellent skills in treatment documentation.