Outpatient Occupational Therapist or Physical Therapist * Certified Hand Therapist

The Certified Hand Therapist will practice in the same office as our partnering hand surgeon and advanced practice providers, creating an environment for close collaboration within the Yale Medicine orthopedic practice. As a critical part of the Fairfield clinic hand team, the CHT will play a vital role in providing our patients the highest quality hand and upper extremity care.

Responsible  for  the  evaluation  and  treatment  of  patients  in  a  variety  of  inpatient  and /or  outpatient  areas  as  assigned. Collaborates proactively with interdisciplinary treatment team members. Acts as a mentor for staffs and students. Works collaboratively with unit resources in assessing program needs as well as educational needs of staff. Serves as a catalyst to promote the achievement of departmental goals. Performs other clinical, teaching and administrative duties as required. Serves as positive ambassador for all Rehabilitation Services.

To be part of our organization, every employee should understand and share in the YNHHS Vision, support our Mission, and live our Values. These values - integrity, patient-centered, respect, accountability, and compassion - must guide what we do, as individuals and professionals, every day.
At Bridgeport Hospital, we are committed to providing quality medical care and treatment that is coordinated and centered on the patient's specific needs. We strive to achieve benchmarks as a Patient Centered Medical Home and provide health care in a setting where patients are at the center of their care team. All employees of Bridgeport Hospital are part of the patients care team and contribute to the team approach of promoting access, continuous, comprehensive care and work to provide quality improvement in the care provided to their patients.
Responsible for the evaluation and treatment of patients in a variety of inpatient and /or outpatient areas as assigned. Collaborates proactively with interdisciplinary treatment team members. Acts as a mentor for staffs and students. Works collaboratively with unit resources in assessing program needs as well as educational needs of staff. Serves as a catalyst to promote the achievement of departmental goals. Performs other clinical, teaching and administrative duties as required. Serves as positive ambassador for all Rehabilitation Services.
EEO/AA/Disability/Veteran

• 1. Clinical
• 1.1 Able to interpret physician referral recognizing skill level required with any patient diagnosis.
• 2. Comprehensive Patient Care
• 2.1 Utilizes Assistant and support staff, students, and volunteers appropriately in the delivery of patient care.
• 3. Clinical Supervision
• 3.1 Appropriately delegates responsibility to Level I therapists, therapist assistants, clinical students and support staffs. Maintains appropriate and compliant level of clinical supervision and documentation review/co-signature and ensures that information sharing and teaching are an integral part of daily interactions.
• 4. Documentation
• 4.1 Maintains concise and accurate patient care documentation and billing in accordance with system, hospital and department policy and regulatory requirements.
• 5. Education
• 5.1 Demonstrates participation in professional development. Stays informed of current developments in the field by attending department in-services.
• 6. Administration
• 6.1 Uses equipment in a safe and effective manner, and instructs other staffs in same. Reports malfunctioning or missing equipment to Supervisor and takes corrective action to remove from use.
• 7. Career Ladder
• 7.1 Has completed successful Career Ladder Application and been awarded Career Ladder advancement by Career Ladder Review Board, and/or meets established criteria for achieving Level II status. Adheres to department requirements for demonstrating such standards.

EDUCATION (number of years and type required to perform the position duties):

Graduate of an accredited program in Occupational Therapy or Physical Therapy equivalent and B.S. degree

EXPERIENCE (number of years and type required to meet an acceptable level of performance):

Requires three (3) years’ experience with experience relevant to the position being applied to. Internal

candidates must successfully complete department career ladder application process if applying from Level I. Exceptions to this requirement may only be made with a Manager's recommendation and Department Head approval.

SPECIAL SKILLS:

The  individual  should  demonstrate  age-specific  knowledge  in  basic anatomy and physiology, psychology and Occupational Therapy theory,  evaluations,  and  treatment techniques  to  be  applied  to  a  diverse  patient  population. Observation skills, communication  skills  (both  verbal  and written),  and  an  ability  to  work  with  patients,  families  and  other  providers  in  a  synergistic  manner  are  essential.  Excellent interpersonal, clinical and organizational skills. The individual  should  also  be  willing  and  able  to  assume  increased  responsibilities  as  required.

ACCOUNTABILITY (how this position is held accountable for such as goals achievement, budget adherence, or other areas of accountability):

Accountable  for  providing  timely  assessment  and  treatment  of  patients  in  a  manner  that  provides  an  exceptional patient  experience  and  adheres  to  applicable  state  and  federal  regulations  and  is  consistent  with  professional standards. Accurate and timely documentation in the electronic medical record is required. Legally accountable for all tasks delegated to assistants, support staff, and students. Actively supports the mission, vision and values of Yale New Haven Health System and the Department of Rehabilitation Services. In  personal  and  job-related  decisions  and  actions,  consistently  demonstrates  the  values  of  integrity  (doing  the  right thing),  patient-centered  (putting  patients  and  families  first),  respect  (valuing  all  people  and  embracing  all  differences), accountability (being responsible and taking action), and compassion (being empathetic).

COMPLEXITY (describe planning, problem solving, decision making, creative activity, or other special factors inherent in the responsibilities of this position):

Requires working with highly complex cases in a fast-paced environment. Position requires knowledge of age-specific assessments and treatment interventions.

LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION:

Must maintain a current unencumbered license or temporary permit to practice as an Occupational Therapist or Physical Therapist in CT. All newly hired employees must have current BLS certification or obtain within two months of hire. 

INFORMATIONAL

SPECIAL WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMAND:

May  require  exposure  to  blood  and  body  fluids,  hazardous  materials  and  communicable  diseases;  long  periods  of standing and walking; lifting and positioning of patients.

The worker must be able to stand, walk, talk, hear, lift, push, pull, reach, stoop, kneel, climb and perform repetitive motions, of the wrist, fingers or hands., The worker is subject to inside environmental/atmospheric conditions such as poor ventilation and is also subject to hazards, such as exposure to chemicals., The worker must be able to operate various exercise equipment, whirlpools, ultrasound and electrical stimulation equipment., The worker must be able to exert up to 100 lbs. of force occasionally, and /or up to 50 lbs. of force frequently and/or up to, 20 lbs. of force constantly to move objects or the human body., Functions with or without the assistance of reasonable accommodation as determined on a case by case basis.

Incumbents as well as external and internal applicants who become disabled must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without the assistance of reasonable accommodation as determined on a case-by-case basis.

Seeking a Certified Hand Therapist to support hand therapy patients in an outpatient orthopedic setting.