Occupational Therapist

Job Summary

The PACE Occupational Therapist will provide comprehensive occupational therapy services to participants enrolled in the PACE program.

This role focuses on promoting the independence and quality of life of elderly individuals through the development, improvement, and maintenance of functional skills.

The Occupational Therapist will collaborate with an interdisciplinary team to deliver personalized care plans that meet the unique needs of each participant.

Responsibilities

Participate as a member of the interdisciplinary team (IDT) and complete initial, semi- annual, unscheduled, and annual assessments;

attend morning updates and report changes in participants’ baseline status to appropriate staff on a daily basis.

• Involved in the development and implementation of QAPI activities.
• Perform intake screenings as assigned and make appropriate recommendations.
• Conduct an initial comprehensive assessment in person, at appropriate intervals, and on at least an annual basis develop a plan of care for participants on site and in hospital, nursing facility, and assisted living facility;
• evaluations include, but are not limited to : functional status; physical status; activities of daily living (ADL) status;

cognitive functioning; visual- perceptual status; feeding skills; cooking skills; bed mobility; wheelchair needs; and home safety evaluations.

• Provide treatment as indicated.
• Demonstrate an ability to utilize appropriate safety measures when providing care.
• Develop, instruct, and supervise other staff and / or family members on therapy program to be carried out by individuals other than occupational therapist.
• When appropriate, delegate oversight of OT interventions and activities, as determined by IDT on plan of care, to restorative aide in a timely manner.
• Assess durable medical equipment needs for participants. Receive team approval prior to purchase of equipment. Order and follow-up with durable medical equipment (DME) purchases.
• Educate staff, participants, and family on services available through occupational therapy staff.
• Train and supervise restorative aides on site, including all areas of performance consistent with departmental policies;

report as required to supervisor regarding these issues.

• Provide training in regards to body mechanics.
• Communicate observed staffing needs / changes and further program development needs to supervisor.
• Review and revise restorative exercises as indicated.
• Consult with activities department as requested in regard to activity adaptations.
• Develop special programs according to participant needs.
• Complete documentation / reports as required.
• Adjust schedules as needed to meet the needs of High Desert PACE participants.
• Maintain confidentiality of participant information.
• Performs skilled treatments and assessments at participant’s homes as necessary.
• Attend and participate in staff meetings, in-services, projects, and committees as assigned.
• Adhere to and support the center’s practices, procedures, and policies including assigned break times and attendance.
• Accept assigned duties in a cooperative manner; and perform all other related duties as assigned.
• Be flexible in schedule of hours worked, and in scheduling participants’ treatments to accommodate the participants’ availability.
• May require use of personal vehicle to provide therapy services in participant’s residence.
• Must be a licensed driver by the state of California with a good driving record to be approved to utilize the company’s car for home visits.

Education & Training

• Minimum of one (1) year of documented experience working with a frail or elderly population; appropriate clinical placement experience may be substituted.
• Bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy from an accredited program.
• Current license with state of California.
• Current CPR is required before engaging in direct participant care / contact.
• Is medically cleared for communicable diseases and has all immunizations up-to-date before engaging in direct participant contact.

Skills & Abilities

• Ability to cope with mental and emotional stress related to the position.
• Ability to function independently and to work effectively and in a collegial manner with all members of the interdisciplinary team, co-workers, and department heads.
• Ability to relate to the public and governmental agencies in a pleasant, patient, and professional manner.
• Well organized, dependable, flexible, and resourceful.
• Must have excellent communication skills.

Working Conditions

The working conditions and physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Primary Work Setting : Occupational therapists in a PACE program primarily work in a variety of settings including the PACE center, participants' homes, and occasionally in community-based settings.
• PACE Center : The PACE center often includes facilities like therapy rooms, gyms, and other specialized areas designed for rehabilitation.
• Participant Homes : Home visits are a significant component, requiring therapists to adapt to various home environments to deliver personalized care.
1 day ago