Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

Department

Rehabilitation

Reports to

Rehabilitation or Clinical Director Occupational Therapist

Reporting to this position

N/A

Job Classification

Department Staff

Position Purpose

Helps patients regain motor skills and improve their physical health to effectively perform daily activities through the use of various therapeutic exercises and activities only under the direction of the occupational therapist in accordance with local state and federal regulations standards state occupational therapy practice act and established facility or agencys or policies and procedures to provide appropriate care and services to patients.

Required Qualifications

The Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant must possess:

1. A valid unrestricted license in his/her therapy discipline in the state.
2. Meet educational requirements of his/her licensure requirements.
3. Valid drivers license in the state of employment.
4. Knowledgeable of skilled nursing home regulations procedures laws regulations and guidelines pertaining to the appropriate service lines: Skilled Nursing Facility Assisted Living Facility or Home Health Care

Major Duties and Responsibilities

Assists in the practice of occupational therapy and activities requiring an understanding of occupational therapy but not requiring professional or advanced training in the anatomical biological and physical sciences involved in the practice of occupational therapy.

Practices only under the direction of a registered occupational therapist.

Implements the occupational therapy treatment plan as established by the occupational therapist in accordance with the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) in accordance with guidelines issued by the governing body and its respective affiliate state chapter current state and federal laws and regulations; and respective practice act(s) in the state.

Records the patients progress and can request a reexamination if/when needed.

Offers suggestions provides feedback carriesout agreed upon activities and voices constructive concerns in a collaborative manner with the occupational therapist.

Interviews new and returning patients to assist the occupational therapist in determining their health and rate of recovery.

Documents occupational therapy services by charting in the patient medical record.

Complies with facility or agencys policies and procedures for appropriately documenting for patients receiving occupational therapy.

Schedules and coordinates with facility or agencys nursing staff therapy sessions for patients as instructed by the occupational therapist or rehabilitation director.

Prepares required documentation according to facility or agencys policy for billing purposes discharge planning etc. and as instructed by the occupational therapist or rehabilitation director.

Helps patients perform their planned therapeutic procedures by administering manual exercises such as simply instructing and encouraging a patient through his/her exercises to physically helping him/her complete a difficult routine.

Treats patients who demonstrate disorders of musculoskeletal deficiencies neurological conditions etc. Treatment will only be conducted after a written order is received from the physician.

Is familiar with assistive devices that might be used during treatment like adaptive utensils adaptive plates and silverware nosey cups reachers and grabbers grab bars sock pullers shoe horns dressing sticks trays wheelchair accessories etc. that some patients may require.

Monitors the patients environment in order to identify any needs or barriers that might negatively impact the patients therapy and recovery. Observes and makes recommendations for the necessary accommodations to the occupational therapist and enacts those recommendations.

Provides patient information needed for the patient assessment instrument according to facility or agencys policy such as functional abilities functional status range of motion selfcare activities occupational therapy minutes and distinct calendar days etc. during the defined observation period(s) as assigned by the occupational therapist or rehabilitation director.

Ensures occupational therapy equipment is stored used and sanitized disinfected and/or cleaned properly and safely in the facility or agency.

Participates in daily weekly and/or monthly rehabilitative and interdisciplinary team meetings to discuss patients therapy progression in relation to discharge planning for patients receiving occupational therapy services as designated by the occupational therapist or rehabilitation director.

Adheres to the state practice guidelines in his/her discipline as defined by the State of Idaho Occupational Therapy Practice Act. Maintains appropriate conduct and follows practice guidelines as defined by the professional association.

Knows how to access the occupational therapy state practice act and professional association standards.

Develops and maintains positive relationships with patients employees and family members through scheduled deliberate positive interactions with them using face to face phone or other means of communication.

Facilitates serves attends or participates in various committees of the facility or agencys as necessary.

Knows and understands the purpose and requirements for the scope of work requirements as defined by the occupational therapy practice act in each state.

Delivers compassionate quality care and occupational therapy services across the spectrum as evidenced by professional competence general cleanliness of therapy gyms/offices and optimal patient functioning and satisfaction with occupational therapy services provided.

Knows occupational therapy employees and employees of the interdisciplinary team in order to effectively communicate and provide optimal care for as well as any miscellaneous related needs.

Promotes teamwork mutual respect and effective communication. Promotes positivity and active daily problem solving.

Makes written and oral reports/recommendations to the occupational therapist concerning occupational therapy.

Follows facility or agencys policy related to readiness for health inspection surveys Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) surveys and any other regulatory entity or requirement.

Reads and stays informed regarding regulatory scope of work requirements as defined by the occupational therapy practice act business practices and other changes influencing occupational therapy outcomes.

Promotes safe work practices safety rules and accident prevention procedures to prevent patient/employee injury and illness.

Additional Tasks

1. Treats all patients with dignity and respect. Promotes and protects all patients rights.
2. Establishes a culture of compliance by adhering to all facility or agencys policies and procedures. Complies with standards of business conduct and state/federal regulations and guidelines and relevant practice act(s).
3. Follows appropriate safety and hygiene measures at all times to protect patients and themselves.
4. Maintains confidentiality of protected health information including verbal written and electronic communications.
5. Reports noncompliance with policies procedures regulations or breaches in confidentiality to appropriate personnel. Reports any retaliation or discrimination to HR or compliance officer.
6. Reports any allegations of abuse neglect misappropriation of property exploitation or mistreatment of patients to supervisor and/or administrator. Protects patients from abuse and cooperates with all investigations.
7. Reports any occupational exposures to blood body fluids infectious materials and/or hazardous chemicals in accordance with facility or agencys policy.
8. Participates in all life safety and emergency drills and trainings. Fulfills responsibilities as assigned during implementation or activation of the facility or agencys emergency plan.
9. Reports workrelated injuries and illnesses immediately to designated staff member.
10. Follows established infection control policies and procedures.
11. As a condition of employment completes all assigned training and skills competency.

Personal Skills and Traits Desired/ Physical Requirements/Working Conditions

1. Ability to read write speak and understand the English language.
2. Ability to deal tactfully with personnel patients family members visitors government agencies/personnel and the general public.
3. Must have patience tact and willingness to deal with difficult patients family and staff.
4. Must not pose a threat to the health and safety of other individuals in the workplace.
5. Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.
6. Meets general health requirements according to facility or agencys policy including medical and physical exams and checking immunity status to various infectious diseases.
7. Ability to work beyond normal working hours and on weekends and holidays when necessary.
8. Ability to assist in evacuation of patients during emergency situations.
9. Ability to bend stoop kneel crouch perform overhead lifting and perform other common physical movements as needed for the position.
10. May be subject to falls burns from equipment and/or odors throughout the day; encounter reactions from dust tobacco smoke disinfectants and other air contaminants.
11. Subject to exposure to infectious waste diseases and/or conditions which include AIDS Coronavirus Hepatitis B and Tuberculosis.
12. May be subject to hostile or emotional patients family members visitors or personnel.
13. Contributes to and exemplifies team work.
14. Makes independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.
15. Possesses leadership supervisory skills and willingness to work harmoniously with and supervise other personnel.
16. Successfully follows oral and written instructions.
17. Successfully relays information concerning patients employees or any given subject matter.
18. Willing to move intermittently throughout the workday.
19. Willing to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.
20. Communicates with medical nursing staff and all departments.
21. Accepts callbacks during emergency conditions.
22. Works in office and throughout the facility or agency.
23. Willing to work to task completion in spite of frequent interruptions.

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the applicable federal and state civil rights laws it is the policy of Crest Home Health LLC and its affiliates and managed entities (together hereafter referred to as RMC) to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed please contact

Required Qualifications

The Occupational Therapist must possess:

1. A valid unrestricted license in his/her therapy discipline in the state.
2. Meet educational requirements of his/her licensure requirements.
3. Valid drivers license in the state of employment.
4. Knowledgeable of regulations procedures laws regulations and guidelines pertaining to the appropriate service line: Skilled Nursing Facility Assisted Living Facility or Home Health Care