Occupational Therapist Louisville KY

The Staff Occupational Therapist evaluates and treats patients, communicates with families, physicians and other health team members and maintains documentation of services in the medical records. Conducts in-services and training for facility staff on an ongoing basis.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Evaluate patients within twenty-four (24) hours, or 1 business day of physician referral. If unable to complete evaluation in 24 hours, documentation in medical record clearly defines cause for delay.
• Develop effective treatment plan and obtain approval for services from referring physician.
• Treat patients per the physician treatment plan.
• Assist nursing department with training of Restorative Aides.
• Supervise Occupational Therapy Assistants in direct patient care and patient related activities, following state practice act.
• Communicate with supervisor and other health team members regarding patient progress, problem and plans.
• Participate in Patient Care Conferences, Utilization Review meetings and Rehabilitation Conferences as needed.
• Participate in in-services training program for other staff in the facility.
• Record evaluations, daily treatment notes, weekly progress notes, recertification documentation, per Occupational Therapy Board State Practice Act and governmental and third party payer requirements.
• Record treatment changes per policy and procedures.
• Instruct patient's families or nursing staff in maintenance program and caregiver training in preparation for discharge from therapy services.
• Participate in discharge planning.
• Recommend and facilitate the ordering of necessary durable medical equipment for patients to facilitate independence in mobility; i.e., braces, walkers, canes, elevated toilet seats and grab bars.
• Report any problems with department equipment so that it is maintained in good working order.
• Ability to relate positively, effectively, and appropriately with patients / residents, families, staff and professional colleagues.
• Supervises Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA), aides and students.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Proficient in computer skills such as inputting data into programs such as Casamba and Point Click Care.
• Ability to read technical procedures.
• Ability to read and comprehend policy and procedure manuals.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers, coworkers and families.
• Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations.
• Ability to solve practical problems.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form

Physical Demands

The essential functions of this position require the following physical abilities :

• Standing and / or walking very frequently.
• Sitting occasionally.
• Reaching with hands and arms frequently, pushing / pulling very frequently.
• Talking and / or hearing very frequently.
• Tasting and / or smelling very frequently.
• Exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and or excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and / or excess of 20 pounds of force constant to move objects.
• Climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling occasionally.
• Close, distance, color, peripheral, and depth perception in vision : ability to adjust focus.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy, prefer graduates of Masters or Doctorate Program in Occupational Therapy.
• Licensed as an Occupational Therapist in the state.
• Employee must meet continue education requirements per state practices.
• Must maintain a license in good standing at all time with the state board.