Occupational Therapist

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

The Occupational Therapist must possess

• A valid, unrestricted license in his/her therapy discipline in the state.
• Meet educational requirements of his/her licensure requirements.
• Valid driver’s license in the state of employment.
• Knowledgeable of skilled nursing home regulations, procedures, laws, regulations and guidelines pertaining to long-term care.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Plans, develops, organizes, implements, evaluates and directs the delivery of occupational therapy services as well as its programs and activities, in accordance with current state and federal laws and regulations; and respective practice act(s) in the state.
• Plans, develops, organizes, implements, evaluates, and directs the execution of occupational therapy services in accordance with physician’s orders and American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) in accordance with guidelines issued by the governing body and its respective affiliate state chapter.
• Coordinates the achievement and reporting of the facility’s key performance occupational therapy indicators. Establishes an ongoing system to monitor these key indicators.
• Evaluates and reports key performance indicator outcomes of the occupational therapy department to the rehabilitation director to determine the need for action such as re-education or revisions related to the facility’s outcomes, regulatory compliance, practice act(s) and/or customer satisfaction.
• Develops and implements processes and systems to effectively lead, guide and direct the delivery of occupational therapy services including but not limited to processes for the timely screening, evaluation, treatment, discharge and all associated documentation requirements for residents in the facility.
• Complies with facility policies and procedures for appropriately documenting, billing and coding for residents receiving occupational therapy.
• Provides resident information needed for the resident assessment instrument according to facility policy such as functional abilities and goals, functional status, range of motion, self-care activities, occupational therapy minutes and distinct calendar days, etc. during the defined observation period(s).
• Participates as a qualified clinician for the interdisciplinary determination of the resident’s usual performance in a functional assessment as required by facility policy (RAI User’s Manual) for Medicare Part A, Medicare Advantage residents upon admission, interim and at time of discharge.
• Ensures occupational therapy equipment is stored, used and sanitized, disinfected and/or cleaned properly and safely in the facility.
• Participates in daily, weekly, and/or monthly rehabilitative and interdisciplinary team meetings to discuss residents’ therapy progression in relation to discharge planning for residents receiving occupational therapy services as designated by the Rehabilitation Director.
• Adheres to the state practice guidelines in his/her discipline as defined by the State of Florida 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 residents, employees, and family members through scheduled, deliberate positive interactions with them using face to face, phone, or other means of communication.
• Evaluates work performance of occupational therapy assistants in the department and maintains accountability in concert with applicable standards of practice, by-laws, and code of conduct for his/her therapy discipline.
• Facilitates, serves, attends or participates in various committees of the facility as necessary.
• Knows and understands the purpose and requirements for the scope of work and supervision requirements as defined by the occupational therapy practice act in each state.
• Ensures delivery of compassionate quality care and services across the occupational therapy spectrum as evidenced by adequate, and competent occupational therapy staff, general cleanliness of therapy gyms/offices, and optimal resident functioning and satisfaction with occupational therapy services provided.
• Identifies and collaborates with members of the interdisciplinary team, physicians, consultants, and community agencies to identify opportunities for enhanced services to the residents and/or resolve issues.
• Knows occupational therapy employees and employees across all departments by name in order to effectively communicate and meet resident needs 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 rehabilitation director concerning occupational therapy.
• Follows facility 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 and supervision 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 resident/employee injury and illness.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a Florida AHCA Level 2 background screening in accordance with state regulations. https://info.flclearinghouse.com