Job Details:

The Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant is responsible for providing treatment, under the supervision of an Occupational Therapist,using sound professional practices as defined by the standards of the American Occupational Therapy Association, to individuals needing occupational therapy services.

Responsibilities:

Plan of Care Implementation

• Reviews relevant background information pertaining to patients’ problems and functioning.
• Prioritizes and completes portions of clinical assessments of patients as assigned by the OTR. Develops proposals for new evaluation forms in accordance with changes in policy and procedure
• Formulates realistic, functional short term goals that are objective, patient and/or caregiver-specific and are consistent with results of evaluation under the direct supervision of the OTR.
• Presents results to patients, families, caregivers, treatment teams, and/or other individuals involved in the patients’ care.
• Conducts portions of re-evaluations when clinically indicated and/or required by external regulatory, professional, and/or reimbursement under the direct supervision of the OTR.

Provides individualized, evidenced-based treatment that is consistent with the results of the evaluation and the physician prescription and is designed to assist patients to reach their functional goals.

• Provides treatment while sensitively and effectively varying approach in accordance with patients’ individual needs and background.
• Meets service area productivity standards for number of treatments provided.
• Selects and utilizes safe and effective treatment procedures and techniques for patients to reach all identified goals.
• Observes patients’ response to treatment during sessions and modifies methods, techniques, and/or goals as needed.
• Provides patients with individualized home treatment activities and instructions for completing them.
• Coordinates services with other health care providers.

Adequately plans and prepares for patient discharge.

• Identifies discharge criteria, methods for achieving them, and possible obstacles following initial evaluation by and in collaboration with the OTR.
• Modifies criteria as needed as patients progress in treatment under the direct supervision of the OTR.
• Discharges patients from care with appropriate referrals and recommendations when discharge criteria are met and/or they are determined to be unrealistic under direct supervision of the OTR.

Communicates with patients and, with patient consent, with families and caregivers, in a manner that facilitates their understanding of the treatment being provided and the achievement of positive outcomes.

• Provides clear explanation of the role of therapy.
• Educates patients/family/caregivers regarding problems identified and planned interventions. Conducts special research pertaining to individual patient diagnosis and treatment and presents new information to patient.
• Explains all treatment methods and goals.
• Provides detailed instructions for home treatment programs, including the activities to be completed and their duration and frequency.
• Discusses discharge criteria and plans immediately following initial evaluation and throughout treatment and assists patients to establish realistic expectations.
• Integrates verbal presentations of information with printed material and handouts and/or models.
• Provides opportunities for questions and discussion of all clinical information and ascertains patient understanding.

Meets all documentation requirements.

• Completes clinical documentation in a timely and accurate manner in accordance with the requirements of the department and with external accrediting and reimbursement authorities.
• Accurately completes and submits required non-clinical documentation, including billing and scheduling information, in a timely manner.
• Utilizes professional and technically correct terminology.
• Consistently avoids use of unapproved abbreviations.

Performs supervisory tasks and contributes to the professional life of the department.

• Attends and actively participates in all departmental and service area meetings, training programs, and other professional activities as appropriate.
• Promotes/advocates for the profession.
• Identifies and addresses professional education needs in order to provide safe and effective Per Diem services.

Performs other related duties as assigned. Requirements/Qualifications:

Experience:

Completion of clinical affiliations as outlined by the American Occupational Therapy Association.

Education:

Graduation from an accredited program with Bachelors Degree as an Occupational Therapy Assistant.

Licenses/Certifications:

New York authorized to practice as an Occupational Therapy Assistant.

Other:

• If applicable, the individual performing this job may reasonably anticipate coming into contact with human blood and other potentially infectious materials. Individuals in this position are required to exercise universal precautions, use personal protective equipment and devices, and learn the policies concerning infection control.
• Must demonstrate ability to form effective working relationships with hospital personnel, multidisciplinary team, patients and families.

Physical Demands

About Us:

MidHudson Regional Hospital

MidHudson Regional Hospital in Poughkeepsie, NY, is home to the mid-Hudson Valley’s most advanced healthcare services. This 243-bed facility cares for more than 10,000 inpatients annually while performing an additional 325,000 outpatient procedures each year. MidHudson Regional Hospital operates the area’s only Level II trauma center, is home to the Redl Center for Cancer Care and Center for Robotic Surgery, and is a destination hospital for patients with serious illnesses and injuries.