Requirements

MINIMUM EDUCATION REQUIRED:
Associate’s degree from an approved Occupational Therapist Assistant Program.
MINIMUM EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
None.
MINIMUM LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION REQUIRED BY LAW:
Current licensure in the State of Georgia or current compact privileges in Georgia.
BLS certification through AHA.
ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:
None.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Monitors patient progress with established treatment goals.
a. Reviews all established goals prior to treatment and focuses treatment efforts on interventions designed to ensure goal achievement.
b. Collaborates with occupational therapists, patient, family members/significant others, and other practitioners to establish overall goals and: a) recognizes his/her own limitations, b) consults with other practitioners to determine which goals must be met to achieve a higher functional level.
c. Modifies and updates goals (with the assistance of the occupational therapist) prior to or on their expiration date to reflect patient progression or regression.
d. Communicates effectively about progress and attainment of goals with patient, family, and significant others to prevent discouragement and maintain realistic outcomes.
e. Recognizes when a patient has received maximum benefit from therapy and refers the patient back to an occupational therapist to be evaluated for discharge.
f. Reports goal status on all daily treatment notes.
g. Discusses verbally or with written report patient goals and disposition plans (with assistance of the occupational therapist) at case conferences, rounds, discharge planning meeting or to referring physician.
h. Makes appropriate arrangements for all equipment needs.
i. Refers patient to other medical professionals as indicated.
2. Performs patient treatments.
a. Performs age appropriate treatments.
i. Performs exercises for adults (18 years to 65 years) and adolescents (12 years to 18 years) in a safe manner; educates the patient as to the purpose of the exercise
activity; provides the patient with feedback regarding the performance of the exercises.
ii. Recognizes the limits of the geriatric patient (older than 65 years) with regard to range of motion, strength training, and endurance as well as accommodates for differences in activity level and joint restriction for this patient group.
iii. When performing treatments on pediatric patients (28 days to 12 years), educates the parent or caregiver if available to the purpose of the exercise activity; recognizes the limits of the pediatric patient for range, strength training, and endurance, and incorporates play activities as appropriate to achieve goals.
b. Patients are instructed in at least 4 of the following: dressing, feeding, self-care, functional transfers, how and where to obtain services and supplies for home equipment, and safety techniques.
c. Adheres to treatment precautions and contraindications as demonstrated by: a) appropriately deciding when the patient’s condition requires nurse, physician, or supervisor notification, b) using treatment modalities safely, and c) researching additional information regarding patient diagnosis and precautions.
d. Incorporates prevention-related activities in treatment by anticipating problems which patients may experience in relation to diagnosis or home setting, choosing an appropriate method of communication with patient/family, allowing time to practice safety measures.
e. Assesses the effectiveness of the current treatment strategy frequently and implements an alternative, if required.
f. Prepares patient for initial and ongoing treatment by: a) introducing self, b) explaining the purpose of the service, c) discussing treatment schedule, d) seeking patient input or goals and outcomes, and d) mutually agreeing to continue treatment.
3. Measures quality and outcomes.
a. Assesses effectiveness of chosen treatment strategies related to total number of visits prior to goal attainment and adjusts treatment plan accordingly.
b. Implements current evidence-based treatment strategies as evidenced by reading current literature, attending professional development courses and actively participating in discussions with professional colleagues.
c. Contributes constructively to discussions at department staff meetings regarding performance improvement issues.
4. Educates patient, family, significant others, and other medical personnel.
a. Initiates patient and family education process during the initial patient treatment session.
b. Educates in age appropriate manner, using appropriate language and demonstrations.
c. Adapts activities to patient’s developmental level, mental status, and disability when giving instruction.
d. Provides patient and family with a written copy of instructions and/or exercises when appropriate.
e. Updates educational materials as the patient progresses or regresses.
f. Instructs other medical personnel regarding any specific precautions or safety concerns as appropriate.
5. Completes documentation.
a. Completes all documentation in compliance with hospital, departmental, and regulatory requirements in a timely manner.
b. Utilizes a clear and concise handwriting style that is clearly legible.
c. Uses only hospital approved abbreviations
d. Documents without spelling or grammatical errors.
e. Completes daily treatment note and interdisciplinary education form when working in acute.
f. Completes daily flow sheet, weekly note, FIM scoring, and discharge instructions when working on the Center for Rehabilitation Medicine.
g. Completes charge sheets daily, checks treatment charges for accuracy, and promptly corrects any mistake.
h. Completes all documentation for productivity monitoring in a timely manner.
i. Completes all paperwork for equipment rental and/or purchase.
6. Communicates with others.
a. Establishes good working relationships with professional colleagues on clinical issues.
b. Establishes effective working relationships with employees working in other departments.
c. Delegates tasks and duties to other staff, students, and/or observers appropriately, providing the appropriate level of supervision and consultation.
d. Initiates appropriate action in an emergency and/or difficult situation while remaining calm.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES
• Reads and writes in English.
• Must be able to interpret data and make independent decisions.
• Must have the emotional stamina to deal with a variety of stressful situations including emergency response to patient incidents.
Disclaimer
The above information is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

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