Home Health Occupational Therapist (As Needed)

Essential Functions
• Responsible for the daily management of an assigned patient caseload, ensuring timely care and documentation to meet the patent needs/services as prescribed in the established plan of care and per MD orders
• Collects data pertinent to the healthcare consumer’s health or the situation from patient assessments in the home setting, telephonic contacts and/or related EMR information available.
• Evaluates the patient’s functional ability to perform activities of daily living, potential for achievement, and develops a plan of care in conjunction with the patient’s physician.
• Establishes and implements plan of care, performs OT services certified by the patient’s physician, and directs the care coordination of a multidisciplinary clinical team approach, supervision of COTAs and/or HHAs involved in the care of the assigned patient caseload to promote health and safe outcomes.
• Designs, develops, and fits patient with orthotic devices and adaptive equipment as needed and instructs family members, home health aides and other clinical staff in appropriate therapy methods.
• Observes, records, and reports to the physician any reaction to treatment and/or any changes in the patient’s condition.
• Maintains communication with multidisciplinary team providing updates and changes in schedules, patient data or needs, and physician orders.
• Incorporates short and long-term goals established in the plan of care into therapy, as evidenced by documentation in visit notes, monthly progress notes, and discharge summaries.
• Supports effective communication and collaboration with the physician oversight, and branch supervision to ensure timely feedback regarding patients’ condition and/or need for changes in the plan of care
• Will provide clear, timely and complete documentation as required by policy and practice standards
• Adhere to productivity standards as set by the agency
• Remains and performs ordered treatments, therapies, and/or procedures in accordance with State Occupational Therapy Practice Act and Home Health Conditions of Participation, JCAHO, Medicare Guidelines, OASIS and agency policy and procedures
• With minimal supervision, delegates elements of care to appropriate healthcare workers in accordance with any applicable legal or policy parameters or principles.
• Promotes shared governance and decision making activities, developing and nurturing research to positively affect clinical outcomes and promotion.
• Attains knowledge and competence that reflects current occupational therapy practice.
• Integrates evidence and research findings into practice.
• Contributes to quality of occupational therapy practice.
• Communicates effectively in a variety of formats in all areas of practice.
• Demonstrates leadership in the professional practice setting and the profession.
• Collaborates with healthcare consumer, family, and others in the conduct of occupational therapy practice.
• Evaluates his/her own occupational therapy practice in relation to professional practice standards and guidelines, relevant statutes, rules and regulations.
• Utilizes appropriate resources to plan and provide occupational therapy services that are safe, effective, and financially responsible.
Physical Requirements
Work requires walking, standing, sitting, lifting, reaching, stooping, bending, pushing, and pulling. Must be able to lift and support the weight of 50 pounds in handling patients, medical equipment, and supplies. Ability to travel extensively during all seasons to assigned patients place of residence. Works in a variety of home environments and conditions. Must speak English in good, understandable terms. Intact sense of sight, hearing, smell, touch. Finger dexterity. Critical thinking and ability to concentrate. Must be able to respond quickly to changes in patient and/or unit conditions. Ability to work flexible schedule to meet patients’ needs. Personal Protective Equipment such as gloves, goggles, gowns, and masks are sometimes required due to possible exposure to hazardous chemicals or blood and body fluids.
Education, Experience and Certifications
Graduation from an accredited school of Occupational Therapy required. Licensed by the Examining Committee to practice Occupational Therapy in the state required. Must maintain current state driver’s license and auto insurance at all times. Personal vehicles must be well maintained and in safe driving condition. 1-year experience as a licensed OT in a clinical care setting or home health preferred. Basic Life Support for Healthcare Provider (BLS HCP) from AHA required.