Description

The Occupational Therapist is responsible for providing direct patient care, evaluations, consultations, and treatments to assist patients in reaching maximum physical performance. Provides a variety of occupational therapy interventions which may include: (1) remediation or restoration of performance abilities that are limited due to impairment in biological, physiological, psychological or neurological processes; (2) adaptation of task, process or the environment, or the teaching of compensatory techniques, in order to enhance performance; (3) disability prevention methods and techniques which facilitate the development of safe application of performance skills; (4) health promotion strategies and practices which enhance performance abilities. The Occupational Therapist may work in one or more of the following environments within facility inpatient and/or outpatient, swing bed, Homecare or contract locations and other areas as needed.

• Supports and models behaviors consistent with Billings Clinic’s mission, vision, values, code of business conduct and service expectations. Meets all mandatory organizational and departmental requirements. Maintains competency in all organizational, departmental and outside agency standards as it relates to the environment, employee, patient safety or job performance. 
• Evaluates physical and functional status with regard to developmental and chronological age by administering and interpreting tests. Observes and interviews patients, reviews medical chart and consults with physician or nursing personnel as appropriate.
• Develops individual treatment plan to include objective measures, assessment, short and long term goals, and frequency and duration of therapy in accordance with documentation standards. 
• Demonstrates creativity, skill and efficiency in designing recognized treatment techniques and modalities appropriate to the age and disability being treated and goals to be achieved. 
• Modifies treatment plan according to ongoing evaluation process to improve treatment effectiveness.

Selects from a variety of occupational therapy interventions to improve overall and functional status which may include:

• evaluating, developing, improving, sustaining or restoring skills in activities of daily living (ADLs), work or productive activities;
• evaluating, developing, remediating, or restoring sensorimotor, cognitive or psychosocial components of performance;
• designing, fabricating, applying or training in the use of prosthetic devices;
• adaptation of environments, processes, including the application of ergonomic principles, to enhance the performance and safety in daily life roles;
• application of physical agent modalities as an adjunct to or in preparation for engagement in occupations;
• evaluating and providing intervention in collaboration with the client, family, caregiver or others;
• educating the client, family, caregiver or others in carrying out appropriate non-skilled interventions; 
• consulting with groups, programs, organizations, or communities to provide population-based services

Maintains communication with Medical Director, attending physician, ancillary departments and requesting third party payers regarding patients’ treatment plan and progress through written and verbal means. 

• Documents timely regular initial evaluations, progress and discharge notes consistent with department policy, regulatory agency and reimbursement requirements.
• Discusses evaluations, goals and treatments with patients and families to minimize anxieties and maximize cooperation.
• Participates in discharge planning and/or care conferences with physicians, nursing and social services personnel to ensure patients have appropriate assistance and continuation of rehabilitation at home or in other care settings.
• Completes daily patient charges and work schedule.

Activities

• Organizes a program for both group and individual activities; ensures that patient’s individual activity needs as identified in health care plan are met.
• Motivates patients to participate in programs.
• Maintains a balance of recreational activities including physical, social, religious, divisional, intellectual creative arts, crafts, etc.
• Selects patients for appropriate activity participation per each individual’s activity interests, needs and potential.
• Communicates patient’s program to appropriate parties including patient families, volunteers and facility staff.
• Records/documents patient’s activity participation in medical record as necessary. Keeps group participation records as well.
• Participates in care plan meetings.
• Identifies needs and sets goals for own professional growth and development; meets all mandatory requirements. Participates and attends educational meetings with respect to continuing education, co-worker in-services, and Facility educational course offerings to enhance knowledge and further professional skills.
• Performs other duties as assigned or needed to meet the needs of the department/organization.

Supports and models behaviors consistent with Billings Clinic’s mission, vision, values, code of business conduct and service expectations. Meets all mandatory organizational and departmental requirements. Maintains competency in all organizational, departmental and outside agency standards as it relates to the environment, employee, patient safety or job performance.

Performs all other duties as assigned or as needed to meet the needs of the department/organization.

Department or Level Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

• Billings Clinic policy and procedures, both organizational and departmental
• Personal computers, hardware, and software
• Billings Clinic Code of Conduct
• Billings Clinic’s Compliance and Integrity Program
• HIPAA and confidentiality requirements
• Patients' rights
• Common policies and procedures, both organizational and departmental
• Compliance Program
• Code of Business Conduct
• Customer service techniques and Personal Service Excellence skills
• Regulatory requirements and standards (i.e., OSHA, etc.)
• Safety and infection control policies and practices
• Occupational therapy treatments
• Anatomy, physiology and developmental growth
• Third party and government payer reimbursement methodologies and practices
• Restraint utilization guidelines
• Professional communication (both verbal and written) and interviewing skills
• Demonstrating empathy and sensitivity necessary to elicit patient’s cooperation and allay apprehensions 
• Analytical skills necessary to prepare treatment plans, coordinate and implement effective occupational therapies and to develop solutions to problems concerning patient’s mental or physical well being
• Documenting in patient care records
• Incorporate populations specific needs into all aspects of communication and patient care; scope of services provided will encompass age groups ranging from infant through geriatric
• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships; working effectively with nursing, allied health and all other medical personnel and customers/guests
• Concentrate and pay close attention to detail
• Maintain flexibility to adapt to a variety of work load assignments
• Stand for prolonged periods of time
• Work independently
• Utilize time management concepts and maximize time effectively
• Concentrate and pay close attention to detail when planning and performing professional rehabilitation services, resolving patient care problems and dealing with patients and other guests, often during stressful situations
• Lift, push, pull and move 50 pounds unassisted
• Complexity & Difficulty
• Assesses patient’s progress frequently and revises treatment plan as necessary based on subjective and objective responses.
• Errors in judgment can potentially result in serious physical harm to patients.
• Frequent opportunity to make documentation and billing errors, which may be detected by fellow workers, supervisor, clients, or reimbursement agencies, can cause delay, expense and re-work to correct.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Home Care Occupational Therapist must also have a current Montana Driver’s License and the ability to be insured, and operate own vehicle for daily travels within the service area. Home Care Occupational Therapist will be eligible for mileage reimbursement in accordance with facility policies.
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience relating to the above tasks, knowledge, skills and abilities will be considered
• Employees that require a licensed or certification must be properly licensed/certified and the licensure/certification must be in good standing.