Occupational Therapist

The Occupational Therapist in Home Health is responsible for the assessment and evaluation of patient care needs related to functional status, activities of daily living, fine motor coordination, home assessments and adaptive equipment, and other occupational therapy needs as defined by medical conditions.

Based on this assessment and evaluation, the Occupational Therapist helps to determine a treatment plan, performs interventions aimed at improving and enhancing the patient's well being, and evaluates the patient's progress.

Responsibilities

• Provides service within the scope of practice as defined by the state laws governing the practice of Occupational Therapy, in accordance with the plan of care, using evidence based techniques, and in coordination with other members of the health care team.
• Evaluates the patient’s functional status, status of all body systems as required for CMS documentation, and occupational therapy needs.

Consults with the physician in the development of the therapy plan of care.

• Observes, records, and reports to the nurse supervisor and the physician the patient's response to treatment and changes to the patient's condition.
• Instructs and informs participating members of the health care team, the patient and the family / caregivers, regarding the plan of care, functional limitations, and progress towards goals.
• Visits patients within the entire service area of their respective agency and other nearby LHC agencies as needed.
• According to Plan of Treatment, completes a progress note for each visit, and submits progress notes per LHC policy.
• Completes all patient evaluations and develops the OT plan of care within state specific guidelines. Reports outcomes of evaluation, goals, and anticipated projected frequency of care to nurse supervisor within 24 hours of the evaluation.
• Participates in staff conferences and committees as requested by the agency.
• May supervise home health aides per LHC policy if allowed per state regulation.
• Provides supervision of the OTA as per LHC policy and state es a written discharge summary and / or a written summary report on the patient's condition at least every 60 days.
• Conducts patient assessments evaluating the level of function by applying diagnostic and prognostic functional ability tests.
• Provides in-service education as requested by agency leadership.
• Adheres to LHC Therapy Standards of Practice in provision of services to all patients.
• Is responsible for accessing education to maintain and enhance clinical knowledge and skills that are up to date with the current standards of care for the profession and to maintain state issued licensure.
• Schedule flexibility is needed in this role to ensure we provide care to the patient as needed. Requires the ability to participate in a weekend rotation and potential availability on observed holidays to ensure we are meeting the demands of our patients.

Qualifications

License Requirements

• Current Occupational Therapy licensure in state of New Jersey
• Current CPR certification
• Current driver's license, vehicle insurance, and access to a dependable vehicle, or public

Additional State Requirements

• NJ : Must be certified as an Occupational Therapist and registered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy and at least 1 year of experience as an Occupational
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