Occupational Therapist II

OFFERING A $5000 SIGN-ON BONUS PAYABLE IN TWO INSTALLMENTS - 50% AFTER 90 DAYS - 50% AFTER ONE YEAR

Major Responsibilities:

• Provision of Patient Care
  • Plans appropriate treatment programs for patients based on physician referral, evaluation results, patient/family goals and interests, sound clinical judgment and other pertinent available information. Responsible for providing care to patient's of high complexity.
  • Administers daily treatment ensuring that the treatment plan is age-appropriate and adjusted as necessary in order to meet the changing needs of the patient. Responsible for maintaining a productive schedule, with an average of 6.0 out of 8 hours per day scheduled for direct clinical care. Informs coordinator of openings and/or cancellations in their daily schedule
  • Successfully completes competency assessments pertaining to provision of patient care; assists coordinator in developing and administering competency assessment pertaining to provision of patient care.
  • Determines the need for appropriate supplemental group therapy and requests that it be scheduled accordingly.
  • Communicates with team members, other professionals, family members and caregivers for the purpose of sharing information that will assist in achieving optimum care for the patient. Establishes effective rapport with patients of all ages depending on assignment.
  • Selects appropriate assistive devices for patients and provides appropriate instruction in the maintenance and use of such equipment.
  • Maintains responsibility for patient plan of care and provides direction and recommendation regarding treatment and goals implemented by assistive personnel.'
  • Monitors the quality of clinical skills in staff and works with them to improve skills. Provides input to the coordinator on staff skill level.
  • Provides in-services and training in area of clinical need.
  • Participates in research pertaining to area of clinical expertise.
• Patient Assessment
  • Administers, analyzes and interprets initial assessments which determine the patient's status in the following areas of function: psychosocial and occupational role, musculoskeletal performance, sensation, sensorimotor performance, perception, cognition, developmental processes, the need for and use of adaptive equipment, positioning devices or durable medical equipment. Responsible for evaluating patients of high complexity.
  • Selects appropriate assessment procedures to assess the abilities and limitations of patients of all ages, depending on area of assignment.
  • Establishes short and long terms goals which are functional and measurable.
  • Completes all pertinent assessment competencies.
  • Monitors the quality of assessment skills in staff and mentors staff to improve skills. Provides coordinator with input on staff's skill level.
• Daily Operations
  • Performs other duties such as billing for all services rendered on the day delivered, maintaining a clean work environment, and serving on departmental committees and in program development efforts as appropriate.
  • Promotes patient safety by reporting issues through established channels and participating in safety initiatives as requested.
  • Participates in continuous quality improvement projects, identifies opportunities of performance improvement.
  • Follows appropriate safety and infection control measures pertaining to patient care, equipment and the general working environment. Promptly reports any problems to their coordinator, and follows appropriate Advocate policies and procedures.
  • Actively participates in departmental meetings, committee meetings, in-services and continuing education programs. Assumes a leadership role in departmental education initiatives.
  • Delegates patients to assistive personnel with direction in ongoing supervision while remaining responsible for the patients training program and goals. Assists staff with appropriate utilization of technical personnel
  • Supervises occupational therapy interns/volunteers.
  • Complies with organizational and departmental patient satisfaction initiatives. Serves as a role model for meeting the needs and expectations of patients and families.
  • Upholds the policies and procedures of Advocate Health Care / Advocate Christ Medical Center/Hope Children's Hospital.
  • Assists coordinator in keeping staff abreast of current professional developments through active membership/participation in respective organizations.
• Documentation
  • Serves as a role model in the completion of all documentation according to departmental policy.
  • Monitors the quality of documentation skills in staff and works with them to improve skills. Provides input to the coordinator on staff skill level.
• Discharge Planning
  • Consults with other team members to determine when the patient will be ready for discharge.
  • Recognizes the need for termination of treatment and effectively plans discharge which may include establishing home treatment plans, arranging for equipment or devices, and/or arranging for continued services.
  • Monitors the quality of discharge planning skills of staff and works with them to improve skills. Provides input to the coordinator on staff skill level.
• Patient / Family / Community Education
  • Provides education to the patient and family, or significant others based on patient needs. Identifies and addresses learning readiness, preferences and learning barriers.
  • Monitors the quality of patient education skills in staff and works with them to improve skills. Provides input to the coordinator on staff skill level.
  • Participates in community education programs.

Licensure:

• Occupational Therapist

Education/Experience Required:

• * Masters degree in Occupational Therapy (or Bachelors degree for graduates prior to 2007)from an accredited school. * Minimum 2 years of pertinent clinical experience * Maintains continuing education requirements as mandated by professional standards * Successful experience with supervising senior level student and/or mentoring new staff/peers

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

• * Strong interpersonal and communication skills * Independence with providing advanced level of clinical skills and expertise * Recognizes needs and behaviors of specific age groups of patients treated.
• * Eligible for licensure to practice in Illinois * CPR Certification BCLS * 0-3 Early Intervention Treatment Credential for Peds

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• * May be exposed to hazardous materials and life-threatening diseases; direct contact with body fluid * Ability to assist, escort, transfer, and respond to patient needs for extended periods of time. * Required to work approximately 1 weekend per month and/ or evenings. Required to work a minimum of one of the 6 observed holidays or the day prior to or after the holiday per calendar year.
• Ability to lift up to 35 pounds without assistance. For patient lifts of over 35 pounds, or when patient is unable to assist with the lift, patient handling equipment is expected to be used, with at least one other associate, when available. Unique patient lifting/movement situations will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Addendum: VAD Aware Accountability: Performs direct patient care for heart transplant, Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) and heart failure patients with a basic degree of skill and knowledge. Education requirements: The following educational requirements associated with this direct care role: Orientation: Completion of Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) Awareness training through a 2 hour VAD class. Annual Competency: Completion of an annual competency assessment specific to Ventricular Assist Devices in which the subject matter will be determined by the unit/department educator and VAD clinician. Continuing education: Continuing education with an emphasis or focused on advanced heart failure therapies is to be completed every 6 months. This includes 1 VAD specific CBTs through Advocate ATMS or VAD Industry Website CBT every 6 months. Attendance at an Advanced Heart Failure Symposium or VAD Symposium may substitute for one of the CBT's.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.