Occupational Hand Therapist - Lafayette

Job Summary

Under indirect supervision, provides occupational therapy services to patients in accordance with the physicians referral; evaluates extent of disability; plans and administers occupational therapy treatment through use of various therapeutic procedures and exercise techniques; administers group therapy programs for rehabilitation of patients; evaluates patients ability to function outside of treatment setting. Makes members/patients and their needs a primary focus of ones actions; develops and sustains productive member/patient relationships. Actively seeks information to understand member/patient circumstances, problems, expectations, and needs. Builds rapport and cooperative relationship with members/patients. Considers how actions or plans will affect members; responds quickly to meet member/patient needs and resolves problems.

Essential Responsibilities

• This position, knows and complies with all Kaiser Permanente quality, safety, and emergency policies and procedures. Demonstrates quality and effectiveness in work habits and clinical practice in every interaction with patients, colleagues, providers, and leadership. Ensures patient safety in the preparation and provisioning of care related to but not limited to medications, procedures, infection prevention, fall prevention, including consistent use of two patient identifiers and procedural time outs. Reports safety hazards, accidents and incidents, and unsafe working conditions promptly.
• Receives medical referral on patients needing physical rehabilitation, consults with physicians and other treatment staff to determine most appropriate plan for individual patients to determine physical and/or functional capacity/limitations.
• Evaluates extent of patients disability to insure proper treatment, using a variety of tests and procedures including manual muscle tests, goniometry, functional testing, fine motor testing and perceptual testing.
• Plan therapy programs and administers treatment to restore motion, strength and function, relieve pain and prevent disability. Uses various therapeutic techniques and procedures such as exercise, heat and cold modalities, facilitation techniques, and sensory reeducation techniques and muscle reeducation. Fabricates splinting to address functional deficits.
• Observes patients behavior and response during therapy activities to assess tolerance for and effect of treatment, evaluates effectiveness of treatment, modifies treatment as indicated to meet patients needs, and consults with physician regarding patients progress.
• Provides patient and family members with instructions for home exercise programs, discusses therapy progress with patient as part of overall treatment program.
• Maintains appropriate medical records for each patient including evaluation, treatment, and progress and discharge status.
• Consults with medical providers regarding patient evaluation and treatment, progress of the patient, and their discharge from treatment.
• Participates in the development and implementation of programs for the department such as peer review and patient care audits. Participates in development of services, operations and procedures, provides in-service education in the field of occupational therapy to members of the health care team.
• Maintains departmental supplies, equipment and apparatus in a clean, safe and functional condition.
• Performs the responsibilities of other departmental personnel, including clerical and reception duties, to maintain efficient departmental operations, as required.