| The Occupational Therapist in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service at VA Palo Alto Health Care System, and is expected to provide coverage throughout the Health Care System including all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the Occupational Therapy Section. The OT plans, implements, and coordinates comprehensive occupational therapy services for adult and geriatric veterans who have complex medical, neurological, orthopedic, and psychological disorders. Clinical Duties 1. Evaluates patients' abilities and functional limitations, develops individualized treatment plans and administers appropriate therapy program. Documents initial plan, interim progress, and final summaries in patient's electronic record in a timely manner. 2. Assesses need for adaptive aides, seating systems, and other major equipment. OT formulates individualized prescription for pertinent DME's and trains patients in their use. Customized devices are fabricated as necessary. Splints are fabricated for patients for corrective, supportive, or protective results. 3.Perform home evaluations for accessibility and safety making recommendations for structural modifications. OT assesses patients' functional mobility on public transportation and in community facilities. 4. Provides medical and functional justification to order durable medical equipment or assistive device. In some instances, the occupational therapist may have to design/modify and assist in the fabrication of assistive equipment. Communicate and coordinate with the team and other services on treatment recommendations, DME and other devices. 5.Communicates evaluation results to the patient and the treatment team. Both standard and non-standard evaluation techniques are used. Evaluations and treatments are provided in a manner which maintains patient dignity and privacy. 6.Treatment will adhere to departmental, VAPAHCS, VHA, AOTA, CARF, The Joint Commission, and other applicable guidelines and will use the best of available modalities and equipment. Occupational therapist recognizes contraindications and appropriateness of prescribed treatment, consults with the primary physician as needed, and frequently assists in referring patients that can benefit from occupational therapy services. 7.Covers for other occupational therapists and floats to other clinics during absences in order to provide continuity of patient care. Educational Duties 1. Supervises and trains occupational therapy interns and practicum students. OT assists in development and upgrading of training program content. 2. Provides orientation and training to other health care professionals as requested. 3. Provides education and training to family members and caregivers regarding patient's functional status, performance of ADLs, and operation and maintenance of equipment. 4. Attends and actively participates in section and program in-services, healthcare system educational offerings, professional conferences and workshops. Shares gained knowledge, improved methods or techniques with other OT staff. Administrative Duties 1. Maintains patient attendance records and other required statistics required by department. Completes and maintain record keeping in accordance with PM&R, VAPAHCS, VACO and VHA policies, procedures and guidelines with regard to timeliness. Completes and submits reports as requested. 2. Shares responsibility for clinic environment and maintenance. Writes work orders as necessary to maintain environment of care. Submits requests for clinic supplies and materials. Makes suggestions for major equipment purchases for department. 3. Develops forms for treatment guidelines, data collection, or patient education. 4. Schedules/organizes patient visits to ensure adequate time for treatment taking into consideration priority and frequency of care and coordinating with other members of the health care team. 5. As applicable, occupational therapist investigates new technology with emphasis on occupational therapist's specialty. 6. Serves as acting OT supervisor when requested. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:00AM - 4:30PM Financial Disclosure Report: Not required |
