Occupational Therapist – Alivia Care – Summerfield, FL

Summerfield, FL 34491
Supervise: This position is an individual contributor role.

Reporting to the DON, the Occupational Therapist (OT) PRN evaluates the Home Health patient level of function to establish treatment programs to improve level of function or prevent disability by helping patients to maintain and/or restore physical potential by means of such modalities as training, exercise, orthotics, and assistive devices. Conducts initial therapy assessments and periodic reassessments and documents and reports changes in a patient’s condition consistent with Better Life’s policies.

Qualifications and Requirements:

Education/Training/Certifications:

• Current Florida Occupational Therapy license
• Certification with the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)
• Current Florida driver’s license with proof of active auto insurance
• First Aid and CPR certification is important, but not mandatory

Experience:

• Minimum of 2-years working as an Occupational Therapist
• Minimum of 1-year working with a frail or elderly population
• Experience working with Alzheimer’s and people with dementia

Skills and Knowledge:

• Ability to evaluate, plan, and implement a program of purposeful activities to develop or maintain functional skills necessary to achieve the maximal physical or mental functioning, or both, of the individual in his daily occupational performance and the promotion of wellness
• Demonstrates skills reflecting knowledge of resources and basic treatment skills in the following areas activities of daily evaluation, adaptive equipment, orthotics design, and application, upper motor neuron disease, rheumatology, sensory-motor integration disorders, and the adaptation of physical environments for the handicapped
• Ability to interpret age specific data and provide age specific treatment
• Good judgment, problem-solving, and cognitive skills
• Knowledge of gerontology and enthusiasm for treating the geriatric population
• Patience and strong interpersonal skills
• Knowledge of common safety hazards in the home and improvements to establish a safer environment

Medical Clearance

Employees must have medical clearance for communicable diseases and have up-to-date immunizations before direct participant contact.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions:

• Work Environment: Employee must be able to work effectively within an interdisciplinary team model, interfacing and collaborating with a wide range of clinical and social services disciplines who work together to manage the Better Life Home Health patients’ care. The work setting is in a variety of environments including patient homes, Assisted Living facilities, hospitals, and in their own vehicle. The environment can fluctuate with the outside weather as well business locations, as well as patient homes, which can provide extremes in the environment.
• Physical Requirements – Requires manual and finger dexterity and eye-hand coordination; the ability to use department equipment; and the ability to lift/carry up to 30 pounds using appropriate body mechanics with reasonable accommodation if needed. Must be able to push, pull, stand, bend, scoot, and sit. Must be able to assist patients up to 300 lbs. to stand, sit, or roll over.
• Visual, Hearing and Communication Requirements – Requires corrected vision and hearing to normal range, with or without reasonable accommodation. Ability to communicate by way of the telephone with patients, customers, vendors, and staff.
• Pressure Factor – Requires working under stressful conditions. Working conditions may be noisy and crowded, with fluctuating indoor temperatures. Moderate pressure to meet scheduled deadlines. Potential for exposure to verbal aggression by patients, vendors, and or employees.
• Environmental Conditions – May be exposed to a risk of bodily injury through contact with moving instrumentation, toxic substances, medicinal preparations, bodily fluids, communicable diseases, and any other conditions common in a healthcare environment. Subject to unpleasant odors.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Recommend a treatment plan to and coordinate with supervisor, and when instructed, with the interdisciplinary team in development of the plan of care for each participant
• When instructed, participate as a member of the interdisciplinary team, maintaining regular attendance at all case conferences
• Communicate participant changes; collaborate on care planning decisions and coordination of care
• Actively participates in the Intake and Assessment care plan meetings
• Evaluate participants’ needs
• Follow-up with participants during treatment
• When instructed, discuss condition and treatment plans, and recommend solutions to participant care problems with the Case Conference
• Plan individual and group activities and implement treatment according to plan
• Assemble appropriate equipment and data to structure an environment that will enhance participants’ responses to treatment
• Assess the home environment for safety and need for equipment and adaptations
• Assists with the implementation and coordination of a home modification program, including installation of equipment and other changes to support independence and safety
• Re-evaluate patient’s level of function to objectively determine patient’s response to treatment
• Alter treatment plan and activities accordingly
• Educate and instruct participants and family members in proper care and use of various supports and exercise programs and in use of durable medical equipment in the home
• Document progress notes for each day of treatment including notations of the patient’s status regardless of whether significant changes have occurred
• Document participant/family education
• Exhibit communication skills necessary to interpret age specific responses to treatment
• Keep current and accurate records of evaluations, treatment data and patient’s response to treatment, verbal and written
• Participate in educational programs and attend all mandatory educational programs.
• Maintain functional operating level of equipment
• Inform supervisor of needs for equipment and materials
• Perform assigned duties as instructed for all emergency drills or situations
• Orient, trains and demonstrates techniques for staff and volunteers individually and in groups as directed
• Act only within the scope of authority to practice
• At all times, represent Better Life Home Health professionally through care and/or services provided to all clients and patients
• Comply with Better Life Home Health policies, procedures, and standard practices
• Maintain the confidentiality of patients and families within Better Life Home Health as per government mandates
• Additional duties, as assigned