Outpatient Occupational Therapist

Responsible for the evaluation and treatment of patients in a variety of inpatient and /or outpatient areas as assigned. Collaborates proactively with interdisciplinary treatment team members. Acts as a mentor for staffs and students. Works collaboratively with unit resources in assessing program needs as well as educational needs of staff. Serves as a catalyst to promote the achievement of departmental goals. Performs other clinical, teaching and administrative duties as required. Serves as positive ambassador for all Rehabilitation Services.

EEO/AA/Disability/Veteran.

1. Clinical

1 .1 Able to interpret physician referral recognizing skill level required with any patient diagnosis.

1 .2 Demonstrates increasing level of technical skill and accuracy, independently performing increasingly complex evaluation, treatment planning and providing therapy, and performed consistent with demonstrated knowledge of developmental stages and age-specific criteria.

1.3 Demonstrates increasing clinical reasoning, decision-making and problem solving ability across a broad array of diagnoses and patient populations, and reflects the utilization of a variety of clinical approaches.

1.3 Develops population specific treatment programs that reflect compliance with established clinical protocols where appropriate, monitors patient responses and advances or terminates treatment when appropriate.

1.4 Sets measurable and appropriate goals that reflect patient/family involvement, as well as increasing ability to manage complex scenarios and diagnoses.

1 .5 Provides comprehensive and appropriate patient and family education.

1 .6 Constructive, collaborative participation in team conferences/rounds/clinics/discharge planning.

1 .7 Initiates discharge planning and makes appropriate recommendations to community resources.

1 .8 Provides coverage for multiple clinics, as appropriate.

1.9 Collaboratively establishes clinical protocols and pathways for specific diagnostic areas, identifying need for changes to or additions in area of clinical specialty.

1. Comprehensive Patient Care

2.1 Utilizes Assistant and support staff, students, and volunteers appropriately in the delivery of patient care.

2.2 Independently initiates patient care handoff to ensure continuity of care during scheduled time off. Anticipates and communicates coverage needs of assigned area.

2.3 Independently initiates collaborative interdisciplinary team dialogue, communicating findings and care plan consistently. Follows through with requests for change in treatment plan, re-evaluation of patient status, and completion of discharge reports and notes.

2.4 Serves as contact person for family, referral source, funding source and other outside agencies, as required.

2.5 Assures that discharge planning and arrangements for necessary follow up services are in place, per department standards and within established timeframes.

2.6 Initiates interdisciplinary referrals when appropriate, as determined by review of reports, feedback from other disciplines, and utilization review.

2.7 Functions as comprehensive patient care resource and formal/informal mentor to Level I therapists and assistants, anticipating needs of colleagues. Seeks out opportunities to provide proactive mentoring and guidance.

1. Clinical Supervision

3.1 Appropriately delegates responsibility to Level I therapists, therapist assistants, clinical students and support staffs. Maintains appropriate and compliant level of clinical supervision and documentation review/co-signature – ensures that information sharing and teaching are an integral part of daily interactions.

3.2 Anticipates guidance needs of Level I therapists, therapist assistants, clinical students and support staffs, and regularly seeks out opportunity to provide assistance.

3.3 Actively participates in clinical education/student program on an annual basis.

1. Documentation

4.1 Maintains concise and accurate patient care documentation and billing in accordance with system, hospital and department policy and regulatory requirements.

4.2 Re-evaluates and updates patient goals and plans as necessary, based on patient's response to treatment.

4.3 Demonstrates increasing efficiency in documentation. Functions as role model and resource to others.

1. Education

5 .1 Demonstrates participation in professional development. Stays informed of current developments in the field by attending department in-services.

5.2 Updates assessment and therapy procedures to integrate newly acquired information and learning.

5.3 Active and structured participation in orientation/onboarding, education and guidance of therapy staffs, support staffs, students, and volunteers as appropriate.

5.4 Meets required educational contact hours to maintain Connecticut state licensure, and consistently maintains documentation of all completed continuing education.

5.5 Demonstrates active participation in staff education projects by contributing teaching materials and resources that bring new knowledge and new methods in profession.

5.5 Seeks opportunities to expand knowledge of profession and related fields and acts as resource to others in areas of clinical strength.

5.6 Independently identifies own learning needs. Seeks out continuing education and collaboration with peers.

5.7 Actively contributes to education within department – through journal club presentations, inservice provision, point of service peer education, and informal guidance for peers.

1. Administration

6.1 Uses equipment in a safe and effective manner, and instructs other staffs in same. Reports malfunctioning or missing equipment to Supervisor and takes corrective action to remove from use.

6.2 Makes appropriate recommendations to Managers for acquisition of equipment, publications and resources.

6.3 Maintains and monitors safe and orderly work environment, and respectfully coaches others to do so.

6.4 Maintains high standard of professional accountability with respect to safety, efficiency, effectiveness, ethics and legal issues, and promotes regulatory compliance in daily work and actions. Acts as a role model and resource for others, and promotes their compliance.

6.5 Demonstrates compliance with all hospital and department policies, procedures, standards and regulations, and interprets same for other staffs. Contributes to content of departmental policy, procedure, and standards as appropriate, and makes recommendations for change.

6.6 Demonstrates 200% accountability within department by providing respectful feedback and guidance to peers.

6.7 Demonstrates consistency and timeliness with non-clinical tasks, and plans and organizes daily schedule for optimal time utilization. Operates as a resource to others in this function.

6.8 Participates in department Quality Assurance activities, acting as a resource, identifying quality needs/gaps/opportunities, making recommendations and guiding peers in the delivery of quality care.

6.9 Manages patient caseload that reflects productivity standard of department/unit.

6.10 Assumes other clinical duties as assigned; regularly and consistently seeks out other professional duties.

6.11 Provides weekend and holiday coverage as per schedule.

6.12 Participates consistently in team and departmental meetings. Reports pertinent information on timely basis.

6.13 Promotes the upholding of the Standards of Professional Behavior and High Reliability Principles within the department by modeling behaviors, and providing respectful guidance to peers/colleagues

6.14 Accepts constructive professional feedback and incorporates into practice.

6.15 Submits payroll information, reimbursement reports and day off requests according to system/department standards within established period.

1. Career Ladder

7.1 Has completed successful Career Ladder Application and been awarded Career Ladder advancement by Career Ladder Review Board, and/or meets established criteria for achieving Level II status. Adheres to department requirements for demonstrating such standards.

7.2 Has met annual criteria to maintain Level II Clinician status, as outlined in Career Ladder documents. Completes and presents supporting documentation to Supervisor/committee by established annual date.

EDUCATION (number of years and type required to perform the position duties):

Graduate of an accredited program in Occupational Therapy or equivalent and B.S. degree

EXPERIENCE (number of years and type required to meet an acceptable level of performance):

Requires three (3) years’ experience with experience relevant to the position being applied to. Internal

candidates must successfully complete department career ladder application process if applying from Level I. Exceptions to this requirement may only be made with a Manager's recommendation and Department Head approval.

SPECIAL SKILLS:

The individual should demonstrate age-specific knowledge in basic anatomy and physiology, psychology and Occupational Therapy theory, evaluations, and treatment techniques to be applied to a diverse patient population. Observation skills, communication skills (both verbal and written), and an ability to work with patients, families and other providers in a synergistic manner are essential. Excellent interpersonal, clinical and organizational skills. The individual should also be willing and able to assume increased responsibilities as required.

ACCOUNTABILITY (how this position is held accountable for such as goals achievement, budget adherence, or other areas of accountability):

Accountable for providing timely assessment and treatment of patients in a manner that provides an exceptional patient experience and adheres to applicable state and federal regulations and is consistent with professional standards. Accurate and timely documentation in the electronic medical record is required. Legally accountable for all tasks delegated to assistants, support staff, and students. Actively supports the mission, vision and values of Yale New Haven Health System and the Department of Rehabilitation Services. In personal and job-related decisions and actions, consistently demonstrates the values of integrity (doing the right thing), patient-centered (putting patients and families first), respect (valuing all people and embracing all differences), accountability (being responsible and taking action), and compassion (being empathetic).

COMPLEXITY (describe planning, problem solving, decision making, creative activity, or other special factors inherent in the responsibilities of this position):

Requires working with highly complex cases in a fast-paced environment. Position requires knowledge of age-specific assessments and treatment interventions.

LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION:

Must maintain a current unencumbered license or temporary permit to practice as an Occupational Therapist in CT. All newly hired employees must have current BLS certification or obtain within two months of hire.

INFORMATIONAL

SPECIAL WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMAND:

May require exposure to blood and body fluids, hazardous materials and communicable diseases; long periods of standing and walking; lifting and positioning of patients.

The worker must be able to stand, walk, talk, hear, lift, push, pull, reach, stoop, kneel, climb and perform repetitive motions, of the wrist, fingers or hands., The worker is subject to inside environmental/atmospheric conditions such as poor ventilation and is also subject to hazards, such as exposure to chemicals., The worker must be able to operate various exercise equipment, whirlpools, ultrasound and electrical stimulation equipment., The worker must be able to exert up to 100 lbs. of force occasionally, and /or up to 50 lbs. of force frequently and/or up to, 20 lbs. of force constantly to move objects or the human body., Functions with or without the assistance of reasonable accommodation as determined on a case by case basis.

Incumbents as well as external and internal applicants who become disabled must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without the assistance of reasonable accommodation as determined on a case-by-case basis.