OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST 

WORKING TITLE:  OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST 
APPROVED BY:  HUMAN RESOURCE DIRECTOR
CREATED DATE: 05/01/2023
REVISED DATE:  07/26/2023
SALARY RANGE: $32.00-$46.00
EXEMPTION STATUS:  Non-exempt (hourly)
SCHEDULE: part-time
BENEFITS: Medical, Dental, Vision, Paid Time Off, Paid Sick Leave, Holidays, 403(b) Retirement Program,
 Life Insurance Plans, Worker Compensation, and Voluntary Benefits.


POSITION SUMMARY
Occupational therapists treat injured, ill, or disabled patients through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. They help these patients develop, recover, and improve the skills needed for daily living and working.  This position is at a small, rural hospital with a combination of inpatient and outpatient setting.


MINIMUM EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

• Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy
• Licensed and registered as a an Occupational Therapist

MINIMUM WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
• 2-3 years in a hospital or clinic setting 
LICENSE/CERTIFICATIONS
• National Board Certification in Occupational Therapy
• Master’s degree in Occupational therapy, required
• Doctorate in Occupational therapy, preferred   
OTHER SKILLS
• Intermediate computer skills
• Time management  
POSITION DUTIES (ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS)
Occupational Therapist 

• Observe patients doing tasks, ask them questions, and review their medical history
• Evaluate a patient's condition and needs
• Develop a treatment plan for patients, laying out the types of activities and specific goals to be accomplished
• Help people with various disabilities with different tasks, such as leading a child with autism in play activities
• Demonstrate exercises—for example, joint stretches for arthritis relief—that can help relieve pain for people with chronic conditions
• Evaluate a patient’s home or workplace and, based on the patient’s health needs, identify potential improvements, such as labeling kitchen cabinets for an older person with poor memory
• Educate a patient’s family and employer about how to accommodate and care for the patient
• Recommend special equipment, such as wheelchairs and eating aids, and instruct patients on how to use that equipment
• Assess and record patients’ activities and progress for patient evaluations, for billing, and for reporting to physicians and other healthcare providers
• Anticipate working in both inpatient and outpatient settings, with large variety of patient conditions, with ages varying from 0-100.  Would prefer someone with either experience or interest in hand therapy.  

Important Qualities
Communication skills. Occupational therapists must be able to listen attentively to what patients tell them and be able to explain what they want their patients to do.
Compassion. Occupational therapists are usually drawn to the profession by a desire to help people and improve the daily lives of others.
Flexibility. Occupational therapists must be flexible when treating patients. Because not every type of therapy will work for each patient, therapists may need to be creative when determining the treatment plans and adaptive devices that best suit each patient’s needs.
Interpersonal skills. Because occupational therapists spend their time teaching and explaining therapies to patients, they should be able to earn the trust and respect of their patients.
Patience. Dealing with injuries, illnesses, and disabilities is frustrating for many people. Occupational therapists should be patient in order to provide quality care to the people they serve.
Writing skills. When communicating in writing with other members of the patient’s medical team, occupational therapists must be able to explain clearly the treatment plan for the patient and any progress made by the patient.

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General
• Exhibit a caring attitude to co-workers and visitors, including working cooperatively with others for a positive work environment and team-building atmosphere.
• Complies with facility attendance policies and procedures; meets attendance requirements of the job.
• Participates in self-growth opportunities/requirements and participates in training opportunities, in-services and meetings per department and facility policy.
• Requests help and/or guidance as necessary in order to safely perform assigned duties.
• Plans and organizes work activity to complete scheduled assignments on time.
• Completes an acceptable work load and accepts additional tasks willingly.
• Takes appropriate 15 minute breaks and 30 minute for lunch, or notifies Department Lead via email when unable to do so.
• Understands and follows the chain of command when dealing with problems and concerns.
• Complies with facility policies and procedures, including fire evacuation and disaster plans.
• Deals with interpersonal conflict in a healthy and positive manner.
• Completes occurrence and all other reports per facility policy.
• Demonstrates knowledge and practice of standard precautions for prevention of the spread of disease.
* This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties.  Employee may perform other related duties as assigned.
COMPETENCIES AND ANNUAL REQUIREMENTS

AS REQUIRED FOR THE JOB:
• ANNUAL HOSPITAL & JOB SPECIFIC SKILLS COMPETENCIES          
• ANNUAL EDUCATION 
• COMPLIANCE WITH ALL HOSPITAL EMPLOYEE HEALTH REQUIREMENTS, INFLUENZA VACCINE AND OTHER VACCINATIONS AS REQUIRED BY POLICY. 



I have reviewed these job requirements and verify that I can perform all the essential functions of this position.



Employee Signature:__________________________ Printed Name: __________________________ Date: _________


ST. VINCENT HEALTH PROVIDES EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES (EEO) TO ALL EMPLOYEES AND APPLICANTS FOR EMPLOYMENT WITHOUT REGARD TO RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, SEX, NATIONAL ORIGIN, AGE, DISABILITY OR GENETICS. IN ADDITION TO FEDERAL LAW REQUIREMENTS, ST. VINCENT HEALTH COMPLIES WITH APPLICABLE STATE AND LOCAL LAWS GOVERNING NONDISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT IN EVERY LOCATION IN WHICH THE COMPANY HAS FACILITIES. THIS POLICY APPLIES TO ALL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING RECRUITING, HIRING, PLACEMENT, PROMOTION, TERMINATION, LAYOFF, RECALL, TRANSFER, LEAVES OF ABSENCE, COMPENSATION AND TRAINING.