Occupational Therapist

at Northern Counties Health Care in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, United States

Job Description

Job Summary:

The occupational therapist provides direct patient care to improve, regain, or maintain patients’ safety and independence with daily function in the home setting, in accordance with acceptable standards.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities.

Essential Job Functions/Responsibilities:  

• Evaluates patient’s functional status (muscle function, endurance, visual coordination, written and verbal communication skills, self-care ability, work capacity, etc.).  
• Evaluates home environment for hazards or barriers to more independent living.  Identifies equipment needs.  
• Participates in the development of the total plan of care.
• Develops and implements treatment program and establishes goals for improved function.  Communicates plan of care to referring physician and other members of the interdisciplinary team.
• Assesses patient progress toward goals and adjusts treatment program as appropriate.
• Teaches new skills or retrains patient/caregiver in once familiar daily activities that have been lost due to illness or injury.
• Educates a patient’s family about how to safely care for or assist the patient.
• Recommends and teaches patients how to use adaptive equipment that will assist them with activities of daily living.
• May fabricate splints and instruct patient in the use of various types of adaptive equipment to improve function.
• May train patient in the use of prosthetic and/or orthotic devices.
• Maintains appropriate clinical records, clinical notes, and reports to the physician any changes in the patient’s condition.  
• Maintains contact/communication with other personnel involved in the patient’s care to promote coordinated, efficient care.
• For patients who plan to return to work, the occupational therapist may perform work capacity evaluation and may refer to specialized vocational training.

The above statements are intended to be a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job.  The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those stated in this description.