Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant jobs in Spartanburg, SC

Purpose of Your Job Position

The primary purpose of your position is to assist the Occupational Therapist in planning, directing, and administering the Occupational Therapy Services in the Facility in accordance with current applicable federal, state and local standards, guidelines, and regulations, and as may be directed by the Administrator, to assure that the highest degree of quality resident care can be maintained at all times.

Delegation of Authority

As Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant you are delegated the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary for carrying out your assigned duties.

Job Function

Every effort has been made to identify the essential functions of this position. However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or is an essential function of the position.

Duties and Responsibilities

Administrative Functions

· Assist the Occupational Therapist in the planning, development, organization, evaluation, and directing of occupational therapy activities, in accordance with current rules, regulations, and guidelines that govern the Facility.

· Meet with administration, medical and nursing staff, as well as other related departments in planning therapy services.

· Assist in developing and maintaining occupational therapy standards of practice.

· Assist in standardizing the methods in which occupational therapy will be accomplished.

· Maintain departmental policies and procedures, objectives, quality assurance program, safety, environmental and infection control.

· Interpret occupational therapy policies and procedures to personnel, residents, family members, etc., as necessary.

· Use only authorized abbreviations established by the Facility when recording information.

· Participate in discharge planning, development and implementation of resident care plans, resident assessments, etc., as necessary.

· Assist in instructing resident and family members in home programs as well as care and use of adaptive equipment.

· Assist in maintaining files of residents receiving occupational therapy.

· Maintain treatment records, resident files, and progress notes, as required.

· Work with Facility’s consultants and implement recommended changes as required.

· Ensure business office receives charges for therapy services rendered to residents and that all treatments are coded accurately for billing in accordance with current standards.

· Maintain an adequate liaison with families and residents.

· Perform administrative duties such as completing medical forms, reports, evaluations, studies, charting, etc., as necessary.

Committee Functions

· Serve on, participate in, and/or attend various committees of the Facility, as required.

Personnel Functions

· Provide guidance and training for new and/or less experienced personnel.

· Report occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials, and hazardous chemicals to your supervisor.

Therapy Functions

· Assist in interviewing residents to evaluate daily living skills and capacities and determine extent of abilities and limitations.

· Assist in determining appropriate treatment, selecting activities and exercises based on medical and social history of residents.

· Participate in the development and implementation of resident assessments (MDS) and care plans, including quarterly and annual reviews.

· Assist in scheduling therapy services.

· Assist occupational therapist in therapy activities.

· Brief resident on procedures involved in occupational therapy and prepare necessary equipment.

· Assist in transporting resident to and from occupational therapy room or area.

· Demonstrate to residents and staff personnel the procedures involved in the treatment process, as necessary.

· Perform occupational therapy in the resident’s room, if necessary.

· Reassure resident before and during therapy session.

· Prepare resident for treatment and administer occupational therapy in accordance with established policies and procedures.

· Instruct and supervise resident during therapy.

· Assist in designing and adapting equipment and living environment.

· Teach basic living skills to residents as necessary.

· Promote participation in individual and group recreational activities.

· Recommend modifications and changes in the resident’s therapy treatment, as indicated.

· Ensure that all therapists’ notes are informative, follow guidelines, and are descriptive of the care provided and of the resident’s response to the care.

· Provide individualized occupational therapy services to residents according to the resident’s Plan of Care.

Staff Development

· Participate in programs designed for in-service education and on-the-job training.

· Attend and participate in workshops, seminars, etc., to keep abreast of current changes in your field, as well as to build skills and enhance growth and development.

· Participate in departmental studies and projects as assigned or that may become necessary.

· Attend and participate in Facility in-service training programs as scheduled (e.g., OSHA, TB, HIPAA, Abuse Prevention, Safety, Infection Control, etc.).

Safety and Sanitation

· Follow established safety standards for the occupational therapy department.

· Follow established departmental policies and procedures at all times, including appropriate dress code.

· Comply with the Facility’s established safety precautions at all times.

· Wear and/or use safety equipment and supplies when lifting or moving residents.

· Assist in identifying departmental procedures that involve exposure to blood or body fluids.

· Follow established infection control procedures and universal precautions when performing duties.

· Ensure that the therapy area is maintained in a clean and safe manner for resident comfort and convenience by assuring that necessary equipment and supplies are maintained to perform such duties and services.

· Follow reporting procedures when observing any hazardous conditions or equipment.

· Wear personal protective clothing when performing services that involve potential exposure to blood or body fluids.

· Report missing and illegible labels or MSDSs to your supervisor.

Equipment and Supply Functions

· Provide necessary material and equipment for resident to perform required therapy.

· Report any inventory, equipment, or supply needs to your supervisor.

· Utilize all department equipment and supplies in an efficient manner that promotes desired therapy outcomes and minimizes waste.

· Operate occupational therapy equipment in a safe manner.

Care Plan and Assessment Functions

· Ensure that occupational therapy activities and procedures are those indicated in the care plan for the resident. Advise department supervisor of any need to adjust therapy plan to match or support stated care plan goals.

· Assist and participate in resident assessment activities, as necessary.

· Assist, in developing occupational therapy plans for individual residents in coordination and conjunction with the resident assessment (MDS), as necessary.

· Ensure that care plans indicate occupational therapy when such therapy is ordered.

Resident Rights

· Honor the resident’s refusal of treatment request. Report such action to your supervisor.

· Abide by the resident’s participation in treatment decision.

· Inform the resident of consequences of not participating in prescribed therapy and document such action in the resident’s clinical record.

· Report any complaints or grievances to the department supervisor.

· Report and investigate all allegations of resident abuse and/or misappropriation of resident property.

· Allow the resident to participate in the planning and scheduling of his or her treatment.

· Must adhere to all HIPAA requirements.

Working Conditions

· Works in office areas, therapy rooms, resident rooms, etc.

· Is involved with physicians, residents, personnel, visitors, government agencies or personnel, etc., under all conditions and circumstances.

· Works beyond normal working hours and on weekends and holidays when necessary, as well as in other positions as needed.

· Is subject to call back during emergency conditions (e.g., severe weather, evacuation, post-disaster, etc.).

· Must be constantly alert for resident safety.

· Attends and participates in continuing educational programs as may be required by current regulations.

· Is subject to lifting, carrying, and supporting residents.

· Maintains a liaison with the residents, their families, other departments, etc., to adequately plan for the resident’s occupational therapy needs.

Education

· Must possess an Associate degree from an accredited program conferring the title of Occupational Therapist Assistant.

Experience

· Not applicable, will provide on the job training.

Specific Requirements

· Must possess a current, unencumbered, active license to practice as a Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant in this state.

· Must be able to understand the English language.

· Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.

· Must be knowledgeable of occupational therapy procedures.

· Must possess leadership and supervisory ability and the willingness to work harmoniously with and supervise other personnel.

· Must possess the ability to plan, organize, develop, implement, and interpret the programs, goals, objectives, policies, procedures, etc., of the occupational therapy service.

· Must maintain the care and use of supplies, equipment, etc., and maintain the appearance of therapy areas.

· Must be willing to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing therapy services.

Physical and Sensory Requirements

(With or Without a Reasonable Accommodation)

· Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.

· Must be able to see and hear or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to assure that the requirements of this position can be fully met.

· Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of this Facility, which may include a medical and physical examination.

· Based on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Guidelines for Nursing Homes Ergonomics for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders and the American Conference Governmental Industrial Hygienists' Threshold Limit Values for Lifting the Facility has identified that this job may require the lifting of residents, equipment, or other objects. Accordingly, this job may require a minimum of 5 pounds and a maximum of 45 pounds lifting, periodically and or as needed.