IHC Occupational Therapist

Job Description

Join UChicago Medicine Home Care in this role as an Occupational Therapist.

The Occupational therapist contracted or employed through the Agency is responsible for the implementation of standards of care for occupational therapy services and for adherence to all agency policies.

The Occupational Therapist is consistent with the AOTA, Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants are experts at analyzing the performance skills and patterns necessary for people to engage in their everyday activities in the contexts and environments in which those activities and occupations occur. The practice of occupational therapy includes methods or strategies selected to direct the process of interventions and evaluation of factors affecting activities of daily living (ADLs), instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), education, work, play, leisure, and social participation.

Essential Job Functions

• Evaluates the patient’s functional status (muscle function, endurance, visual coordination, written and verbal communication skill, self-care ability, work capacity, . Evaluates the home environment for hazards or barriers to more independent living. Identifies equipment needs. Participates in the development of the total Plan of Care.
• Participates in quality management program.
• Develops a treatment program and establishes goals for improved function. Communicates Plan of Care to referring physicians and other organization professionals. Also, as necessary will develop a program for caregivers’ energy conservation.
• Teaches new skills or retrains patients in once familiar daily activities that have been lost due to illness or injury, in accordance with organization policy.
• Instruct patients in the use of various types of adaptive equipment to improve function.
• Trains patient/family/caregiver in the use of prosthetic and/or orthotic devices.
• Maintains appropriate clinical records,and progress notes, and reports to the physician any changes in the patient’s condition. Submits these records in accordance with organization policy.
• Maintains contact/communication with team members in the patient’s care to promote coordinated, efficient care.
• Attends and contributes to in-services, interdisciplinary case conferences, and other meetings as required by organization policy to ensure coordinated and comprehensive plans of care for the patients of the organization.
• Instructs and educates the patient’s/family/caregiver and other team members in the patient’s treatment regime.
• Participates in discharge planning for patients.
• Commits to one hundred percent (100%) patient and customer satisfaction by always exhibiting a courteous and helpful manner during interactions with others, including patients, families, visitors, physicians, students, and co-workers.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications/skills

• Minimum of BS in Occupational Therapy from an accredited institution.
• IL License or eligibility. Letter to sit for the National Exam.
• Specific practice areas may require advanced certification or previous experience to address patient care
  needs.
• Basic computer proficiency.
• Effective verbal and written communication, including the ability to communicate with other cultures or those with language or cognitive impairments.
• Current CPR is required.
• Possesses and maintains a valid driver’s license and current automobile insurance and has the availability of personal and dependable mode(s) of transportation to conduct home visits.

Physical/Position Demands

This position requires the ability to perform medium work, exerting up to 50 pounds. Job frequently requires bending and lifting, push/pull maneuvers and occasionally carrying items that weigh > 20 pounds. Jobs frequently require standing, walking, reaching (floor to waist; waist to shoulder; above shoulder), and talking. Fine motor control/precision is required for tasks such as documentation. Visual acuity and hearing to perform required therapy skills is required in addition to seeing information in print and/or electronically. This position does involve exposure to chemicals/disinfectants and bodily fluids. This job does include travel to patients’ homes and other work-related places of business so the ability to operate a motor vehicle is required.

Continuing Education

Ingalls Home Care personnel are expected to participate in appropriate continuing education as may be requested and/or required by their immediate supervisor. In addition, personnel are expected to accept personal responsibility for other educational activities to enhance job-related skills and abilities and as required by licensing standards.

Position Details

• Job Type/FTE: Full-Time
• Shift: Days
• Unit/Department: Therapy
• CBA Code: Non