COTA Home Health

Occupational Therapist Assistant

This position is responsible for implementation of the occupational therapist plan of care in accordance with professional standards of practice. Responsibilities also include timely, effective communication with the supervising occupational therapist, physicians, case-managers, other health care professionals, patients, and caregivers as it relates to implementing the occupational therapy plan of care throughout the patients full continuum of care; following compliance standards for rehab billing; supervising therapy assistant students, and support staff; and completing required clinical and business documentation within professional standards of practice.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Current WV Occupational Therapist Assistant License.

2. Associate Degree in occupational therapist assistant from an ACOTE accredited school.

3. Current CPR certification upon hire or be completed within the 90-day probation period.

4. Valid driver's license.

5. Reliable vehicle.

6. CPR certification within 30 days of hire date.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Experience in the home health setting. Outpatient experience for outpatient positions, acute care experience for acute care positions, and SNF experience for SNF positions. Experience is defined as six months or more of continuous, full-time employment in the hiring setting.

CORE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The statements described here are intended to describe the general nature of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be constructed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties. Other duties may be assigned.

1. Practices in a safe manner that minimizes risk to patients, self, and others. Adheres to hospital & department risk management, safety, and infection control policies.

2. Demonstrates professional conduct as evidenced by being a positive team member; follows established personnel, hospital, and department policies; and adheres to established ethical standards of practice.

3. Demonstrates strong verbal and written communication skills.

4. Documents occupational therapy care within professionally accepted standards of practice, and meets all third party documentation requirements including TJC and payers of occupational therapy services.

5. Follows the occupational therapists established plan of care, and communicates with the supervising occupational therapist in a timely & effective manner regarding the patient's response to care rendered.

6. Performs occupational therapy procedures per established departmental policy & procedures, and within professionally accepted standards of practice.

7. Practices in accordance to Medicare Compliance Standards, other third party billing standards, and TJC standards.

8. Educates patients, families, and other health care providers as indicated for the safe, effective delivery of the OT plan of care.

9. Effectively participates in student education.

10. Completes assigned educational & training programs within stated deadlines. Maintains required contact hours for licensure.

11. Effectively participates in community & marketing events as directed.

12. Meets established productivity standards.

13. Completes all assignments and job duties in a timely, efficient manner.

14. Supervises support staff, OTA students, and volunteers in a professional, effective manner.

15. Demonstrates a strong commitment to a high level of positive customer service as evidenced by UHC's complaint management system, associate recognition system, and customer satisfaction measures.

16. Demonstrates basic computer skills including typing & navigation of required work programs.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health recommends minimizing the need for employees to manually lift patients, and limit safe patient handling to 35 pounds. All transfers, lifts, and re-positioning will be completed utilizing the provided patient lift equipment as indicated by the patient's clinical profile and appropriate algorithms for safe patient mobility.

2. HEAVY/HARD WORK: Work requires strength and stamina, lifting, moving, stooping, pushing, pulling, reaching, standing, walking, and carrying of materials and equipment weighing 40+ lbs.

3. Visual and hearing acuity (with or without correction) must be within normal range. Must be able to effectively communicate, and monitor the physical environment for patient, visitor, and staff safety.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Exposure to bodily fluids, human tissues, contagious diseases, sharps, and explosive gases.

2. Exposure to toxic gases, fumes, and odors.

3. Exposure to high stress and constant interruptions.

4. Exposure to electrical current.

5. Exposure to radiation from x-rays.

6. Exposure to bad road conditions.

7. Exposure to wind, rain, snow, sleet, mud, high and low temperatures, animals and insects, and hazardous roadways.

8. The majority of work is performed in the patient's home and may require extensive travel.

9. Subject to unpredictable situations. May be exposed to adverse or unpleasant home environments.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Must have strong communication skills, written and verbal.

2. Must have effective reading and comprehensive skills.

3. Must be able to follow direction.

4. Must be able to identify problems and relay this to the occupational therapist.

5. Demonstrates knowledge of and compliance with safety policies and procedures.