Occupational Therapist

***$1600 Sign-On Bonus!***

Summary:Plans, organizes, and conducts occupational therapy program in residential setting for individuals ages 3 years to 21 years old who have mechanical, physiological or developmental impairments, functional limitations, a disability, or other health-related condition in order to facilitate development and rehabilitation. The goal of occupational therapy intervention at Easterseals Arkansas' Children's Rehabilitation Center (CRC) is to achieve improvements in overall gross and fine motor skills of individuals served to prepare them for reintegration into the community with optimal opportunities for improved functional independence.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Reports to Therapy Coordinator for all responsibilities.

Evaluate individuals served with appropriate tests and determines functional level and potential.

Evaluation of individuals served completed within 30 working days of physician referral.

Interviews individual/caregiver to discuss and establish needs.

Collaborates with therapy team and staff to develop functional treatment plans.

Writes goals and objectives bases on functional outcomes.

Attends pre-admit meetings for screening of potential new admissions.

Treats individuals served according to treatment plan approved by physician.

Communicates with Therapy Coordinator and other team members regarding progress, problems, and plans for individuals served.

Participates as necessary in weekly interdisciplinary team conferences.

Makes referral or recommendation for therapy and/or equipment.

Participates as necessary in co-treatments across disciplines.

Records appropriate daily documentation for group or individual treatments as established by organization.

Completes paperwork and other documentation as required by the program, licensing agencies, and funding sources, e.g. progress notes, weekly utilization, evaluations, quarterly summaries, quarterly Wee-FIM scores, etc.

Participates in in-service/training programs.

Participates in screening, evaluation and treatment of individuals served who are transitioning out of the program.

Establishes and instructs staff and parents/caregivers in care of individuals served, programs, and treatment materials on an ongoing basis.

Modifies treatment and equipment, when necessary, in response to development and progress with present treatment.

Approves program changes in the interdisciplinary team meetings.

Utilizes appropriate methods to manage inappropriate behavior/responses.

Attempts to procure necessary durable medical equipment and adaptive equipment for individuals served.

Participates in discharge planning by providing necessary parent/caregiver training and other training related to other professionals as needed to the site of discharge.

May supervise practicum students.

Attends in-service education programs.

Attends job-related short courses, meetings, conventions, etc.

Reads and researches professional journals and texts.

Educates, provides hands on training, and provides supervision to therapy aides.

Provides therapy aides with written instructions for indirect treatments.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None.

Compliance/HIPAA:

While performing the duties of this job, employee will comply with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations pertaining to Easterseals Arkansas.

Employee has access to all client protected health information of the individuals directly served by this person, except psychotherapy notes. Employee will not attempt to access any other protected health information unless otherwise approved by Supervisor or Privacy Officer.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience:

Master's degree (M. A.) in Occupational Therapy (unless a bachelor’s degree received before 2007)

Language Skills:

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

Mathematical Skills:

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

Valid Arkansas Driver's License

Licensed in the state of Arkansas.

Registered by National Board Certification for occupational therapy.

Commercial Driver's License strongly preferred.

Proof of Automobile Insurability

Driver safety training (Complete course every 3 years, refresher course annually.)

Other Qualifications:

Provides transportation and supervision to residents while in the community, meeting individual and group needs (haircuts, client outings, shopping, medical appointments, etc.). Completes all required documentation when using Easterseals Arkansas vehicles.

Physical Demands: 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.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to sit and taste or smell. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work 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.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts. The employee is occasionally exposed to risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

EEO Statement:

Easterseals Arkansas is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate in employment opportunities and practices on the basis of race, color, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, creed, physical or mental disability, age, religion, marital status, veteran status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law.