Job Summary:

The Registered Occupational Therapist will provide diagnostic evaluations and treatment to assigned patients, and help patients reach maximum performance level and to use skills learned to the fullest to function in the community within the limits of their capabilities.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Supervises certified occupational therapy assistant, occupational therapy aide, and students in patient treatment.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Provides consultation in areas such as environmental design, adaptive equipment, proper positioning of patients to prevent contractures and splinting, and to agencies such as local schools, nursing homes, visiting nurse associations, and general hospitals. Administers and writes evaluations of assigned patients in accordance with departmental standards and procedures.
• Maintains timely and accurate patient records and reports.
• Designs and administers treatment programs to increase patients' levels of functioning. Uses therapeutic exercises and activities to improve or maintain strength, range of motion, and fine-motor coordination. Instructs patients in adapted techniques and the use of adaptive equipment for meal preparation, home management, dressing, feeding, and other self-care skills. Trains patients in the use of upper-extremity prosthetic devices to resume previous daily routines. Participates in home assessments.
• Provides therapy for neurological integration; administers sensor-motor integration treatment techniques and visual perceptual-motor remediation programs. Uses activities to increase developmental levels of patients. Designs and provides individualized therapy for adult learning-disabled patients.
• Designs and fabricates splints as specified by doctors' prescriptions; designs and/or fabricates slings and adaptive equipment to meet the needs of patients and/or their families.
• Administers treatment programs to traumatic brain-injured patients. Uses activities to improve judgment skills, reality orientation, and organizational skills.
• Provides prevention therapy to maintain functional skills; instructs patients in energy conservation, joint protection, safety techniques for sensory loss, and transferring and visual field deficits; instructs patients' families in personal care for patients, especially proper transfer techniques to avoid back strain.
• Administers prevocational programs to prepare patients to return to or enter a work setting. Provides activities to assess patients' organizational skills, attention spans, cognitive abilities, coordination (fine and gross-motor), and adaptive-equipment needs.
• Designs home programs and instructs patients or families in carrying out such programs.
• Participates in patient support groups with other team members.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong supervisory and leadership skills.
• Strong customer service orientation.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
• Ability to use tools used to make adaptive equipment.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelors degree in occupational therapy required.
• Current registration with the American Occupational Therapy Association required.
• One year of experience preferred.

Physical Requirements:

• Will engage in movements that involve lifting equipment used in patient care, etc.
• May be exposed to infectious diseases and human waste products.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. at times.