General Summary

Under general supervision, performs a full-range of advanced occupational therapy services through direct patient evaluations and treatment as well as non-direct patient care activities. Operates and models a high level of general clinical competency and developing expertise in at least one clinical area.

Principal Responsibilities and Tasks

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.

• Serves as a resource on advanced occupational therapy theory and practice to Occupational Therapy Staff, therapy assistants, students and/or volunteers as directed.
  • Offers guidance and direction to staff regarding standard and complex assessments in a broad area of practice
  • Assists Senior Therapist in training and orienting Staff and students to therapy programs and standards of practice as requested
  • Mentors and educates non-rehab staff on the role of rehab or a specific treatment technique
  • Manages team operations in absence of Senior Occupational Therapist.
• Provides occupational therapy services, to referred in-patients and out-patients with medical and psychiatric diagnoses which result in functional limitations, by performing complex assessments and demonstrating advanced clinical reasoning skills, in accordance with generally accepted occupational therapy standards and department procedures, as follows:
  • Performs and/or coordinates a comprehensive initial evaluation, by administering a battery of standardized and non-standardized tests to evaluate the patient's level of skill and performance and identifies problems that require skilled intervention.
  • Gathers pertinent information from the patient's medical record to identify problems and select appropriate procedures. Uses information contained in the patient's medical record to assist in problem identification, determining precautions, and patient evaluation to provide appropriate subjective comments and patient treatment.
  • Identifies problems and makes assessments by prioritizing and establishing treatment goals directed toward problems that are objective, functional, and measurable, using professional theory and principles to guide the clinical reasoning process. Plans and selects the most appropriate treatment modality, method, or procedure to address goals. Selects and implements alternate methods or procedures when goals are not being adequately attained, adjusting goals according to patient response. Determines when goals have been reached and problems resolved.
  • Treats patients individually or in groups utilizing accepted therapy methods, modalities and procedures.
  • Uses evaluation and treatment techniques consistent with the scope of occupational therapy services. Provides care while maintaining a professional demeanor and treating the patient with respect. Teaches patients and families home care and exercise skills specific to the patient's disability. Recommends discharge environment and activities to formulate continued growth and development.
  • Uses treatment procedures that address stated goals and plans. Performs continuous assessment of patient progress, modification, and analysis of treatment plans and progress in keeping with the individual patient response. Analyzes the effectiveness of treatment in terms of goal achievement or when patients' progress reaches a plateau.
• Records patient evaluation, treatment plans, re-evaluation and revises goals according to patient progress in accordance with departmental procedure using uniform terminology and accepted charting formats.
  • Prepares written documentation as required by the profession and the department, such as patient evaluation results, referrals, treatment plans, progress reports, discharge reports, and other such reports.
  • Documents daily attendance and appropriate billing codes to reflect services provided. Uses standard departmental record keeping sheets.
• Participates in quality assurance activities by conducting and participating in peer reviews; suggests quality assurance topics, and respectfully suggests alternate methods which may improve the delivery of physical therapy services.
• Participates in occupational therapy in-service training programs. Suggests in-service topics and speakers. Presents information concerning continuing education courses to Occupational Therapy Staff at in-services. Attends outside continuing education programs as required for continued licensure. Presents two or more in-service programs and participates in the training of staff, residents and students per departmental guidelines.

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Education and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree plus five years of occupational therapist experience, or Master's Degree, or Master's equivalent, or Doctorate of OT, required.
• Acute Rehab experience
• Current licensure as an Occupational Therapist with the State of Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is required.
• Two years full time experience as a licensed Occupational Therapist is required.
• Current CPR certification is required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of occupational therapy theory and practice techniques. General knowledge of orthopedics, plastics, pediatrics, neurology, psychology, psychiatry, anatomy physiology, kinesiology, general medicine and the occupational therapy treatment implications of each.
• Knowledge of Rehabilitation equipment, such as, work simulator, fluidotherapy, paraffin bath, hydroculator, and other therapeutic equipment is required.

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