Behavioral Health Occupational Therapist - Sign On Bonus Eligible

The staff behavioral health occupational therapist evaluates, develops and implements specific treatment programs for individual patients according to the principles and practices of occupational therapy.Provide behavioral health occupational therapy consultations to patients with behavioral health needs in all areas of Tufts Medical Center. The behavioral health occupational therapist develops a proactive care plan to meet the behavioral health needs of the patient and provides group programming support for patients on the behavioral health unit that is individualized and meets the needs of every patient.

The position involves regular contact with patients and members of their families, referring physicians, nurses, social workers, and all allied health and support personnel within TMC. The behavioral health occupational therapist will act as a liaison with other disciplines for problem-solving issues that arise related to clinical therapy services.

Job Profile Summary

This role focuses on assessing the needs of patients who have physical, mental, or emotional disabilities and delivering therapy services to improve their developmental, physical or cognitive impairment. In addition, this role focuses on performing the following Occupational Therapy duties: Evaluates patients and helps them improve basic motor functions and reasoning abilities, but also compensate for permanent loss of function by teaching them to perform tasks in their daily living and working environments. These patients may have conditions that are mentally, physically, developmentally, or emotionally disabling. Assists patients in selecting appropriate adaptive equipment and assistive devices. A professional individual contributor role that may direct the work of other lower level professionals or manage processes and programs. The majority of time is spent overseeing the design, implementation or delivery of processes, programs and policies using specialized knowledge and skills typically acquired through advanced education. An experienced level role that applies practical knowledge of job area typically obtained through advanced education and work experience. Works independently with general supervision, problems faced are difficult but typically not complex, and may influence others within the job area through explanation of facts, policies and practices.

Job Overview

This position evaluates, develops and implements specific treatment programs for individual patients according to the principles and practices of occupational therapy. The therapist will be expected to evaluate and treat all age groups to help patients achieve a maximum level of function using various therapeutic exercises, activities, modalities and skills. The therapist is responsible for documenting all age-appropriate patient care treatments in the medical record to comply with the policy and procedures of the department, organization and JCAHO requirements. The staff member will act as a liaison with other disciplines to problem-solve issues that arise related to clinical therapy services.

Job Description

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy.

2. Occupational Therapy (OT) license.

3. National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy registration.

4. Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification.

5. One (1) year of experience as an Occupational Therapist

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Master's degree in Occupational Therapy

2. Two (2) years of clinical experience.

3. Experience working in the behavioral health setting

Duties and Responsibilities: The duties and responsibilities listed below are intended to describe the general nature of work and are not intended to be an all-inclusive list. Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned.

1. Provides comprehensive evaluation and assessment of patient's physical, cognitive and self-care status.

2. Sets realistic short- and long-term goals and plan of care related to patient's occupational therapy needs within the musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiopulmonary, and integumentary systems.

3. Demonstrates the ability to carry out the appropriate treatment plan.

4. Works directly and collaboratively with the interdisciplinary health care team, the patient, and the patient's family to promote maximum level of patient safety and independence in discharge planning.

5. Documentation and billing is accurate and reflective of services provided in accordance with departmental guidelines.

6. Participates in all the educational responsibilities of a tertiary level acute care teaching facility.

7. Perform job as described by Inpatient Occupational Therapy Competencies

8. Educates colleagues and hospital employees regarding role of occupational therapy.

9. Supervises and mentors students and support staff.

10. Maintains collaborative, team relationships with peers and colleagues in order to effectively contribute to the group's achievement of goals and foster a positive work environment.

11. Possesses communication and interpersonal skills sufficient for effective teamwork. Supports a team approach to problem solving.

12. Demonstrates initiative, organization, and follow-through pertaining to job duties.

13. Keeps abreast of new techniques and interventions.

14 . Maintains established departmental policies and procedures, objectives, quality assurance programs, safety, environmental and infection control standards.

15. Routinely in contact with interdisciplinary team members on your assigned rotation (example- actively participates in ongoing dialog with referring team members).

16. Follows initiatives and policies put forth by director and supervisors.

17. Assists in identifying areas for improvement in clinical service.

Physical Requirements:

1. Prolonged, extensive, or considerable standing, walking, and transferring patients.2. Manual dexterity using fine hand manipulation to operate computer keyboard, dexterity to provide quantitative testing and manual treatment techniques to a wide variety of patients.

Regularly lift and/or move 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds.

Skills & Abilities:

1. Demonstrate interpersonal skills including communication, teamwork, and willing to work one-on-one or a group basis.

2. Ability to work independently, to be self-motivated and well organized. Ability to function well in very busy situations.

3. Responsible and reliable.

4. Demonstrates flexibility and able to adjust to changes at a moment's notice.

5. Maturity to operate effectively within a multi-disciplinary setting.

6. Able to work effectively with a wide variety of patients with acute and long-term disability.

7. Ability to read/write and communicate in English.

8. Ability to assess the needs of patients of all different age populations in order to provide care appropriately.

9. Ability to observe and evaluate treatment effects and adjusts plan of care as appropriate.

10. Knowledge of occupational therapy principles, practices, and other treatment skills.

11. Ability to observe and evaluate treatment effect and adjust plan of care as appropriate.

12. Demonstrates proper time management skills to attain department productivity while assuring quality patient care.

13. Ability to apply knowledge of physical modalities, splinting, therapeutic exercise, adaptive equipment and other treatment skills.