"Occupational Therapy Assistant - Per Diem"

Position Summary

The Occupational Therapy Assistant will provide occupational therapy services as assigned under the direction and clinical supervision of the Director of Physical and Occupational Therapy; Hand Therapy supervisor; Senior Occupational Therapists; and Staff Occupational Therapists. The OTA contributes to the evaluation and provides occupational therapy services as specified in the plan of care developed by an Occupational Therapist. The OTA utilizes a treatment plan under the direction of the supervising occupational therapist and reports on therapy provided and observed changes along with other pertinent information. The OTA allows for an increased number of follow-up treatments which allows for registered occupational therapy staff to provide timely evaluations for more complex patients. The OTA can provide assistance in various areas to meet the needs of the department.

Qualified candidates will demonstrate superior patient care and possess outstanding communication skills while adhering to our high standard of excellence.

Duties may include the following but are not limited to:

• A written supervisory plan will be developed for the delivery of occupational therapy services indicating the supervising OTR, frequency, type and content of supervision.
• Prepares patient, treatment area and equipment
• Contributes to the patient evaluation by collecting data, reporting observations and implementing assessments as delegated by the supervising OTR.
• Provides direct interventions under the direction of an OTR. The COTA may in consultation with the supervising occupational therapist, modify or terminate the patients' treatment plan.
• Will implement the treatment plan under the direction of the OTR. This may include but is not limited to the implementation of established protocols for wound management including whirlpool; therapeutic modalities; therapeutic activities or exercises; patient and/or caregiver training in use of adapted equipment; fabrication of adaptive devices or splints; cognitive; cognitive-perceptual; perceptual-motor or vision activities; management of abnormal tone; fine motor/dexterity; BADL and IADL as appropriate. The COTA will carry out activities for which training has been given and as directed by the occupational therapist.
• Directs and trains patients/caregivers/families in use of splints, adaptive/assistive equipment, prosthetic/orthotic devices; and the implementation of patients' independent exercise/therapeutic activity programs, personal hygiene and the care of external bandages, dressing and other supports. Gives instructions to patients/caregivers for performance of therapeutic activities as outlined in the patients' care plans.
• Collaborates with the OTR in the ongoing evaluation of patients' treatment program by observing the response to treatment and reporting these to the supervising occupational therapist. The program will be modified under supervision of the supervising OTR.
• Participates in determination of discharge needs and training. Facilitates safe discharge.
• Assists with formal teaching of occupational therapy assistant students and supervision of volunteers.
• May be responsible for specific treatment areas concerning the coordination of equipment or supplies as well as assisting with patient flow.
• Will participate in the training of other health care team members, including other caregivers to insure carryover of treatment goals.
• Assist in maintenance of departmental records and preparation of required reports as needed.
• Participates in other departmental and interdepartmental activities as required.
• Participates in weekend and holiday coverage as determined by the supervisor based on the needs of the department.
• Provides inservice training to departmental aides and volunteers.
• Assists with the orientation of new staff, students and volunteers.
• Participates in departmental meetings as scheduled.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Is sensitive to the special age related needs for the geriatric and pediatric populations.
• Documents patient treatment and response in medical record as per Departmental policies. Documents treatment rendered for billing purposes. Maintains individual patient statistics as per departmental policies.

Qualifications

Required:

• Two year associate's degree as an Occupational Therapy Assistant, NYS registration. Prior professional, formal training is necessary in order to acquire the basic skills to assist with evaluation and carry out treatment plans with adequate recognition of changes in patient functional level.
• Ability to work at least 2 weekend days per month

Preferred:

• Two years of Occupational Therapy experience.
• Certification by NBCOT
• Experience with treatment of Stroke, Trauma, and Orthopedic patients in an acute care environment is preferable. Some experience in outpatient treatment including hand therapy, is desirable.
• Experience in an acute rehabilitation setting would be acceptable.
• Knowledge of cognitive deficits and intervention is desirable. This experience would reflect the opportunity to acquire necessary skills to treat the patients most frequently served in this facility.

Special Notes:

Resume/CV should be included with the online application.

Posting Overview:

This position will remain posted until filled or for a maximum of 90 days. An initial review of all applicants will occur two weeks from the posting date. Candidates are advised on the application that for full consideration, applications must be received before the initial review date (which is within two weeks of the posting date).

If within the initial review no candidate was selected to fill the position posted, additional applications will be considered for the posted position; however, the posting will close once a finalist is identified, and at minimal, two weeks after the initial posting date. Please note, that if no candidate were identified and hired within 90 days from initial posting, the posting would close for review, and possibly reposted at a later date.

Anticipated Pay Range:

The starting salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established as $47.76/hr

The above salary range represents SBUH's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. The specific salary offer will be based on the candidate's validated years of comparable experience. Any efforts to inflate or misrepresent experience are grounds for disqualification from the application process or termination of employment if hired.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number in your paycheck. SBUH provides generous leave, health plans, and state pension that add to your bottom line.