Occupational Therapist – Acute & Inpatient Rehab, Charlotte Therapy Float Team, PRN

The Acute Care & Inpatient Rehab Therapy Float Team at Atrium Health provides specialized therapy coverage across adult acute care and inpatient rehabilitation settings throughout the Greater Charlotte market. Occupational Therapists on the float team work across multiple hospital and rehabilitation sites, supporting patients with complex medical and post‑acute needs. This role offers broad clinical exposure, close collaboration with interdisciplinary teams, and the opportunity to practice at the top of your license while delivering high‑quality, patient‑centered care in dynamic care environments.

Float Pool teammates are eligible for an additional float pool premium.

Job Description:

Provides direct occupational therapy services to patients across the age spectrum, as appropriate. Evaluates patients, interprets assessments, establishes individualized plans of care, and implements appropriate treatment interventions within scope of practice to restore function, prevent disability, and promote maximum independence. May provide occupational therapy services under direct access when permitted by state licensure. Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams, patients, and caregivers to ensure comprehensive and coordinated patient care.

Major Responsibilities

Age-Appropriate Patient Care

• Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of patients served across the lifespan. Applies principles of growth and development, interprets age-specific clinical data, and delivers care in accordance with departmental policies, procedures, and job standards.

Patient Evaluation and Care Planning

• Interprets medical records and provider referrals and evaluates patients’ physical, perceptual, cognitive, social, and vocational abilities as they relate to activities of daily living. Develops individualized plans of care using evidence-based interventions in accordance with applicable state Occupational Therapy Practice Acts. Provides, recommends, and/or fabricates assistive devices, adaptive strategies, splints, or orthoses to enhance functional independence. Recommends next levels of care, directs support staff as applicable, supervises occupational therapy assistants in accordance with state practice standards, and ensures quality outcomes.

Treatment Implementation

• Implements therapeutic interventions including, but not limited to, patient/caregiver education, therapeutic exercise, functional mobility training, balance and coordination activities, sensory motor development, modalities, compensatory strategies, and retraining in activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living (e.g., cooking, housework, medication management, money management, fine motor coordination, and functional grasp). Identifies and addresses factors affecting patient comfort and well-being and demonstrates knowledge of indications and contraindications of all interventions utilized.

Goal Setting and Outcome Monitoring

• Establishes functional goals in collaboration with patients and caregivers and monitors progress to enhance functional outcomes. Modifies treatment plans based on patient response. Communicates progress and plans of care with providers, clinical staff, referral sources, and interdisciplinary teams. Coordinates patient schedules as needed.

Patient and Caregiver Education

• Provides education to patients and caregivers based on identified needs, preferences, and learning barriers. Educates on diagnosis, progress toward goals, treatment interventions, and home programs. Supports patient discharge by providing written instructions and recommending appropriate equipment to promote continued function and independence.

Professional Communication

• Communicates professionally and in a timely manner with patients, caregivers, providers, staff, and external customers. Responds to staff inquiries, promotes open communication, informs supervisors of issues and resolutions, and may participate in patient care conferences and multidisciplinary meetings to support coordinated care.

Documentation and Compliance

• Completes required documentation including evaluations, progress notes, patient and caregiver education records, team conference documentation, discharge summaries, and billing charges. Ensures timely, accurate documentation in compliance with insurance guidelines, regulatory requirements, departmental policies, ICD coding standards, and established productivity expectations.

Environment and Safety

• Maintains a clean, safe, and orderly treatment environment. Ensures equipment is cleaned, properly placed, and maintained in good working condition.

Professional Development

• Pursues ongoing professional growth through continuing education, departmental in-services, and review of professional literature.

Operational Improvement

• Actively participates in performance improvement initiatives focused on enhancing patient outcomes and service quality. Identifies opportunities for clinical and operational improvements, contributes to process development, and manages assigned caseloads while communicating coverage needs and assisting with coverage based on departmental and regional requirements.

Float Responsibilities

• Meets all requirements for Level 2 participation in the Enterprise Float Program and applicable Human Resources policies. Demonstrates the ability to practice competently across assigned departments and/or locations and adapt to varying clinical and operational environments based on organizational needs.

Education

• Degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited institution required.
• Master of Occupational Therapy preferred or educational requirements commensurate with date of graduation.

Certification / Licensure

• Active Occupational Therapy license in the state(s) of employment
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification for Healthcare Providers
• Maintains continuing education requirements in accordance with applicable state professional standards

Work Experience

• Not specified

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Intermediate computer proficiency
• Strong communication, interpersonal, organizational, decision-making, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to perform basic office functions
• Compliance with HIPAA requirements and appropriate handling of protected health information
• Completion of all required competency assessments related to patient care and site standards

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, lift, and squat throughout the workday
• Ability to lift:
  • Up to 50 lbs. from floor to waist
  • Up to 10 lbs. from waist to overhead
  • Carry up to 40 lbs. at waist height for reasonable distances
• Ability to push/pull up to 30 lbs. of force
• Ability to perform sliding transfers of up to 150 lbs. with assistance
• Repetitive hand use for grasping, pushing/pulling, and fine manipulation
• Functional sensory abilities to support effective communication and demonstration of activities
• Exposure to blood, body fluids, electrical, and chemical hazards; ability to wear PPE as required
• May require travel and home visits
• Primarily indoor work environment with occasional outdoor exposure
• Operates equipment necessary to perform job duties

Preferred Job Requirements

Education

• None specified

Certification / Licensure

• None specified

Experience

• None specified

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• None specified