Occupational Therapy Assistant

Description

An Occupational Therapist Assistant, under the direction of the Occupational Therapist, assists patients to regain daily living skills both in the patient’s home and the inpatient and outpatient settings. This includes administration and implementation of the treatment program and participation in discharge planning. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supports and promotes an environment conducive with the Mission, Vision, and Values of the hospital.       
• Instruct self-care skills such as dressing, undressing, and moving about, home making, and therapeutic craft skills. 
• Instruct patients and their families in appropriate exercise programs.
• Performs necessary therapeutic treatments in accordance with the plan of care to restore function, relieve pain, and prevent disability following disease or injury. 
• Supervises and instructs patients in appropriate use and care of orthotic, prosthetic and other assistive devices.
• Observe and report progress and reaction to therapy.
• Guide and aid individual patients and families in the therapy plan of care.
• Prepare and maintain materials, work areas and equipment needed for therapy, including minor equipment repairs.   
• Takes an active role in communication with others on the health care team. 
• Provides ongoing assessment of patient status as prescribed by policy and modifies treatment plans based on patient’s response to treatment modalities.
• Participates in discharge planning.
• Prepares clinical and progress notes within the prescribed time limits. 
• Maintain confidentiality of all patients, hospital, or physician related information
• Maintain orderly condition of assigned work area.
• Is knowledgeable of general hospital and department specific policies and procedures.
• Other duties many be assigned and are subject to change with or without prior notice.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES

• Displays accountability for actions and decisions for the total patient care process.
• Completes assigned daily duties.
• Accepts reassignment to other departments if necessary.
• Follows expected work practices.
• Displays thoroughness and accuracy of work.
• Works in a safe manner, including reporting unsafe equipment or environment.
• Well organized, accepts assignments willingly and accomplishes them quickly.
• Anticipates problems and suggests solutions.
• Helps as needed with duties not specifically assigned. 
• Works steadily and always keeps busy.
• Maintain knowledge and skills necessary to communicate and interact with patients, visitors, and staff in the following age groups: Infant, Pediatric/adolescent, Adult, & Geriatric
• Ability to work well with a diverse work team.
• Ability to work under pressure with time constraints.
• Ability to concentrate.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Good mental health and emotional maturity
• Good personal grooming and hygiene
• Ability to acquire and maintain current knowledge in physical therapy. 
• Displays knowledge of sterile and non-sterile supplies, equipment, and procedures
• Demonstrates knowledge and practices of Universal Precautions
• Recognizes and respects the individual emotional, social, and cultural needs of Residents, including their religious beliefs.
• Always preserves the dignity and respect of all patients.
• Assists with daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning of work and storage areas.
• Possession of a genuine interest and concern for patient population that is served.

(The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, and indeed additional responsibilities may be assigned, as required, by Hillsboro Health.)

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None

Requirements

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• Graduate of a 2-year college level program approved by the American Occupational Therapy Association                                  
• Ability to pass specific competencies for this position.
• Proficient oral and written communication                     
• 1 year in-patient therapy setting experience preferred. 
• Maintains required and approved CEU to maintain licensure.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• Hold and maintain OTA Illinois Licensure
• CPR certification

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Prolonged, extensive, or considerable standing and walking
• Required to climb, balance, stoop, and kneel.
• Required to use arms, hands, and fingers for repetitive grasping, pulling, and pushing and feeling.
• Frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Any workload exceeding 50 pounds will require assistance.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Works in well light, climate-controlled setting
• Services are also provided to patients in various home care settings.
• May be exposed to communicable diseases, hypodermic/IV needles, unpleasant sights, odors, and materials. 
• The noise level in the work environment is quiet to moderate.

CORPORATE COMPLIANCE

Receives training and/or attends necessary meetings to meet the criteria as outlined in Hillsboro Health’s Corporate Compliance Plan and Code of Conduct. Understands the responsibilities related to compliance and knows how to contact the Corporate Compliance Officer should there be any instance of question or concern regarding fraud and/or abuse.

BENEFITS

Please use the link below to visit our website for a list of benefits offered. Educational assistance to transition to OT is a potential. 

Staff Benefits - Hillsboro Health