Occupational Therapist

OVERVIEW:

Occupational therapy practitioners focus on "achieving health, well-being, and participation in life and address training in self-care skills; training in the use of adaptive equipment, compensatory techniques, and environmental modifications; and behavioral and mental health issues.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Remediating instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) related to the patient's discharge environment, such as preparing a meal or managing one's home or finances
Training in functional mobility, such as how to prepare a meal while using an ambulatory device
Preparing the client and family for community reintegration (as appropriate for the client's discharge site) with activities such as public dining or emergency response management
Assessing the need for and recommending potential home modifications and safety equipment to reduce barriers and promote safe functioning upon discharge
Exploring adaptations and compensatory strategies for return to volunteer or paid employment
Assessing current leisure skills to determine whether modifications are needed to continue participation and/or assisting with exploring new leisure pursuits
Teaching functional mobility, including using an ambulatory device and/or transfers to different surfaces, such as a bed, chair, toilet, or shower in order to perform self-care and personal tasks; and training in wheelchair mobility and safety appropriate for the resident's level of cognition and perception.
Remediating or enhancing IADLs, such as ability to use the telephone or the emergency staff call system
Teaching residents with cognitive and perceptual deficits in compensatory techniques to maximize abilities in areas such as attention span, orientation, sequencing, and/or memory.
Teaching residents with low vision how to maximize their remaining vision and enhance safety through compensatory techniques, environmental modifications, assistive technology, and adaptive equipment.

Modifying the environment and adapting tasks for safety (e.g., falls prevention, fatigue management)

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE:

Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from an accredited program
Successful completion of National Certification Examination
1 year of verifiable, supervised professional experience within the last 3 years

Valid OT license in the state of practice