Occupational Therapist Assistant

Responsibilities:

• Administers patient centered Occupational Therapy treatment incorporating evidence based practice and skilled techniques to achieve optimal functional outcomes, under the supervision of a licensed Occupational Therapist.
• Communicates changes in patient status to primary therapist in a timely manner.
• Acts as a clinical instructor or participates in the education and evaluation of students. Acts as a resource for volunteers and observers.
• Participates in staff development and education programs within the department. Participates in interdepartmental education of other professional staff.
• Directs and supervises the activities of support personnel while retaining responsibility for patient care.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education:

• You must earn an Associate’s degree or higher in Occupational Therapy from an American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) or the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (AOTE) certified school.

Languages:

• N/A

Certifications:

• Current State licensure as an Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA).
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through the American Heart Association (AHA).
• For Homecare only: Valid Florida Driver’s license upon hire; per policy 8-175 thereafter.
• For Homecare only: Proof of automobile insurance coverage with $100,000/$300,000 coverage, upon hire; per policy 8-175 thereafter.
• You must complete a two hour course on Preventing Medical Errors.
• Pass the National Board of Occupational Therapists (NBCOT) COTA examination.

Complexity of Work:

• Requires critical thinking skills, decisive judgment, and the ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Must be able to work in a stressful environment and take appropriate action.

Work Experience:

• Performed at least 2 months of occupational therapy work experience under the direct supervision of a licensed Occupational therapist.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to walk without assistive device and to maintain balance despite sudden load in order to support patient from falling.
• Ability to meet physical demands characterized at the heavy level defined by 1993 Leonard Matheson and Ministry of Labor.
• Ability to lift and reach with arms sufficiently to lift patient's extremity during therapeutic treatment program.
• Sensation of touch and manual dexterity to be able to palpate muscle tension or to monitor patient pulse.
• Visual acuity to observe patient's gross and fine motor movements in order to analyze these movements and to read all patient monitors.
• Ability to speak clearly enough to instruct patients and families.
• Ability to hear at a conversational level to understand patient's description of symptoms and response to treatment.

Personal Protective Equipment:

• Follows standard precautions using personal protective equipment as required.