POSITION SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Rehabilitation Therapies  Supervisor/Manager,  the level 2 Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant assists the Licensed Occupational Therapist with comprehensive treatment of in and out-patients with physical, cognitive, psychosocial, or functional deficits. Implements individual/group occupational therapy treatment to achieve the highest possible level of independence in daily living skills. Collaborates with other disciplines to arrange for appropriate follow-up care.  Provides student training according to departmental guidelines and participates in continuous education. Is encouraged to assist in interdisciplinary research. Has a minimum of 3 years’ experience as a licensed certified occupational therapist assistant, preferred 1 year at BMC.

Position: COTA        

Department: Psych Services

Schedule: Part Time

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES:

Implements comprehensive individual and group treatment under supervision by the licensed occupational therapist. Consistently demonstrates clinical competence.

• Follows through with established treatment priorities based on the Occupational Therapist’s evaluation results and plan of care.
• Implements individual and group occupational therapy services using effective treatment procedures.  Uses creative treatment approaches and explores alternative solutions to individual patient problems. 
• Demonstrates clinical problem solving skills with a variety of patient problems and substantiates actions taken.
• Monitors patient response to treatment and progresses treatment programs appropriately. Informs the occupational therapist of changes in the patient, which may require reassessment.
• Recommends and/or issues appropriate adaptive or orthotic devices according to accepted occupational therapy standards.
• Develops and instructs patient and caregiver in home programs and/or use of recommended equipment; provides verbal and/or written instructions as indicated.
• Establishes and maintains a therapeutic relationship with all patients.
• Demonstrates ability to engage patients in treatment, provides reinforcement and support; sets limits appropriately.
• Communicates patient progress to team members regularly.
• Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age groups of pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric patients regularly served.
• Notifies supervisor when patients in age groups not regularly served are present, and seeks assistance from individuals with the knowledge of the specialized needs of such patient age groups.
• Adheres to diagnosis-related precautions.  Demonstrates good judgment in handling potentially hazardous situations, seeking assistance as necessary.
• Monitors clinical supplies on assigned floors, requesting replacements in a timely manner.

 Supports occupational therapist in assessing the effectiveness of the treatment plan.

• Documents actual intervention and patient response to treatment as well as progress toward goals.
• Identifies need for additional intervention by the occupational therapist and collaborates with therapist for this intervention.
• Discusses patient issues, discharge planning, changes in care plan, and progress toward goals with evaluating occupational therapist.
• Schedules with primary occupational therapist for re-evaluation in timely manner and in compliance with department and third party policies/requirements.

Complies with department, institutional and accrediting agency policies and /or standards.

• Completes are specific documentation in an accurate, thorough and timely manner according to department standards scoring an average of 95% or greater on each indicator.
• Issues supplies/adaptive equipment in a cost-effective manner. Justifies issuance of equipment, demonstrates actual use by patient, and looks for alternative solutions.
• Completes patient care charges timely and accurately. Charges for all equipment issued.
• Meets area specific productivity standards at least 95% of the time. Identifies problems and makes adjustments to meet targeted productivity.
• Participates in the peer review process. Completes form thoroughly, gives meaningful and constructive feedback, and provides learning experience to peer.
• Completes mandatory requirements (including PPD, competencies, and safety/infection control test, CPR recertification, license renewal) within given time frame.

Shows evidence of on-going professional growth and knowledge of regulations and standards.

• Initiates independent learning opportunities, seeks out and integrates new information in daily practice. Communicates learning needs to supervisor.
• Stays current with advances in occupational therapy treatments and techniques through attendance of professional meetings, continuing education, and reading of current literature.
• Shows knowledge of professional federal and state rules and regulations governing the practice of occupational therapy assistants.
• Directs and supervises the Rehabilitation Aide consistent with State Practice Act in a safe and effective manner.

Participates in the development and evaluation of occupational therapy programs.

• Identifies assigned rotation/floor needs. Contributes to the development and updating of unit files and other pertinent resource material. Monitors area equipment and supplies, ensuring equipment is accounted for and distributed evenly.
• Assists in developing and achieving area goals.
• Collects data required to complete research projects, clinical outcome studies, and/or department quality improvement projects in compliance with Joint Commission standards.
• Contributes to the assessment, planning, and implementation of occupational therapy programs in collaboration with supervisor and peers.    

Collaborates with colleagues and other professionals to provide high quality of patient care.

• Serves as clinical resource for other health care professionals on assigned floors.
• Works as part of the rehabilitation therapy team, helping and supporting staff members as needed; listens to and seeks feedback from others; shares knowledge with others in positive manner; expresses opinions clearly.
• Accommodates to change by being adaptable and flexible and maintains professional demeanor during periods of stress.
• Attends and participates in all mandatory department meetings.  Arrives prepared and on time.
• Accepts membership in department and hospital task forces and committees as requested by supervisor.
• Provides in-service education of staff for the department and other hospital personnel.
• Prepares for a verbal presentation using peer-reviewed journals and presents this information in a clear, organized, and concise manner.
• Participates responsibly in the supervisory process, follows through on suggestions and recommendations, and utilizes supervision time for own professional growth. Comes prepared to supervisory meets.
• Develops annual goals in consultation with supervisor/manager and meets them with a high quality of performance.
• Engages with management on departmental areas and projects. Takes responsibility for tasks and projects and completes under guidance of management.

Orients medical professional staff and the community to occupational therapist assistants. Assists with supervision of occupational therapist assistant students.

• Orients medical professional staff and the community (volunteers, high school students) to occupational therapist assistants.            

Provides a well-rounded learning experience for affiliating occupational therapist assistant students.

• Assesses the learning needs of assigned occupational therapist assistant students and provides training in patient evaluation and treatment procedures as practiced on assigned units.
• Facilitates development of clinical problem solving skills of the affiliating students by asking probing questions.
• Schedules weekly meetings with assigned students providing growth-promoting feedback and learning experiences.
• Keeps student program coordinator informed of student’s performance.
• Cooperates with student program coordinator and academic coordinator to develop and implement corrective actions when indicated.
• Conducts student performance evaluations, discusses evaluation with students, and submits the completed form to the student program coordinator in a timely fashion.

Utilizes hospital’s behavioral standards as the basis for decision making and to support the hospital’s mission and goals.

Follows established hospital infection control and safety procedures.

Demonstrates initiative with above duties with minimal prompting from manager.

Accumulates/maintains points required for level 2 title as laid forth in the career ladder document.

OTHER DUTIES:

Performs other duties as needed.

(The above statements in this job description are intended to depict the general nature and level of work assigned to the employee(s) in this job.  The above is not intended to represent an exhaustive list of accountable duties and responsibilities required).

JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:

Work requires an Associate’s Degree in Occupational Therapist Assistant from an accredited institution.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED:

Work requires a current Commonwealth of Massachusetts Occupational Therapist Assistant licensure or eligibility status.  CPR certification required.

EXPERIENCE:

3 years’ experience as a licensed COTA, 1 year at BMC preferred.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Interpersonal skills necessary to effectively interact with patients, families and various members of the health care team.
• Analytical abilities to implement and progress appropriate treatment programs.
• Excellent English communication skills (oral and written).
• Bilingual or multi-lingual skills (beyond that of English) appropriate to the patient population served is a plus.
• Ability to work independently and effectively manage time and assignments.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans