Occupational Therapist-Home Care

Job Overview

Overview

The Occupational Therapist (OT) uses clinical expertise, physical assessment, teaching and skilled therapy interventions to deliver high quality patient care in the patient’s place of residence. The OT contributes to the development of the home health plan of care under the direction of the physician. The OT delivers therapy intervention and treatment directed by the physician as established in the home health plan of care that is consistent with clinical best practices and results in high quality, improved outcomes and exceptional patient experience.

Why UnityPoint Health? 

• Commitment to our Team – We’ve been named a  Top 150 Place to Work in Healthcare 2022  by Becker’s Healthcare for our commitment to our team members. 
• Culture – At UnityPoint Health, you Come for a fulfilling career and experience  a culture  guided by uncompromising values and unwavering belief in doing what's right for the people we serve. 
• Benefits – Our competitive  Total Rewards  program offers benefits options that align with your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you’re in. 
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commitment – We’re committed to ensuring you have a voice that is heard regardless of role, race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation. 
• Development – We believe equipping you with support and  development opportunities  is an essential part of delivering a remarkable employment experience. 
• Community Involvement – Be an essential part of our core purpose—to improve the health of the people and communities we serve. 

Visit us at UnityPoint.org/careers to hear more from our team members about why UnityPoint Health is a great place to work.  https://dayinthelife.unitypoint.org/  

Responsibilities

Patient Care/Care Coordination

• Makes visits to the homes of patients requiring home health occupational therapy services and assumes responsibility for an ongoing interdisciplinary assessment of the patient.
• Evaluates and assesses the patient’s level of functioning by applying appropriate tests.
• Develops specific occupational therapy procedures as well as functional activities in accordance with written physician plan of treatment and patient evaluation.
• Develops and administers plan of treatment including environmental modifications.
• Oversees use of treatment modalities, prosthetic devices and therapeutic appliances. Uses equipment and supplies safely, effectively, and efficiently.
• Ensures quality and safe delivery of services to patients according to the care plan.
• Performs and directs therapy treatment as ordered.
• Provides the services that are ordered by the physician as indicated in the plan of care and notifies physician of any changes in patient’s condition.
• Provides patient, caregiver and family counseling and education as indicated in the plan of care. Provides patient and family education using UnityPoint approved patient teaching materials only.
• Contributes to the continual update of the plan of care that includes measureable outcomes that will occur as a result of implementing and coordinating the plan of care.
• Develops and updates patient’s discharge plan on every visit ensuring patient and caregiver education and training is facilitating timely discharge and measureable goals and outcomes are attainable, realistic and up-to-date.
• Includes the patient, representative and caregiver in all plan of care decisions.
• Assesses the need for plan of care updates and every visit and includes the patient and family in care planning decisions and communicates care plan revisions to the patient, representative, caregiver and all physicians issuing orders for the home health plan of care.Supervises home health aide and certified occupational therapy assistant staff and documents supervision in the patient medical record.
• Identifies patient’s risks for hospitalization and/or emergency department use and proactively intervenes to prevent adverse events.
• Communicates with all physicians involved in the plan of care and other health care practitioners related to the current plan of care.
• Is responsible for obtaining physician orders prior to initiation of care and notifying the physician of any changes in the patient’s condition.
• Receives, relays and documents verbal orders in accordance with state and federal regulations and in a timely manner to prevent adverse patient outcomes.
• Maintains accurate and timely documentation of clinical records and time/travel entries.

Home Care Performance Criteria

• Delivers quality care and completes clear, concise and accurate clinical documentation of care provision in accordance with home health conditions of participation (CoPs), various payer home health coverage criteria, accreditation standards, professional standards for discipline/credential and the home health plan of care.
• Participates in clinical review of records to monitor quality and accuracy, appropriate utilization, appropriate involvement of interdisciplinary team members, appropriate referrals and coordination of care.
• Participates in peer review and other quality assurance activities, as assigned.
• Uses appropriate infection control procedures and safety measure to protect employees and patients.
• Participates in case conferences, in-service programs and other meetings required to ensure coordinated and comprehensive care.
• Reviews all patient assignments prior to scheduling first visit and accepts patient assignments only for which qualified and competent in any specific care/technical skill/procedure needed.
• Participates as a member of the interdisciplinary team.
• Participates in quality assurance/performance improvement (QAPI) activities, as assigned.
• Maintains professional knowledge for discipline/credential/license ensuring inclusion of content specific to home and community-based care.
• Communicates professionally, effectively and timely to all team members and co-workers and responds to all communication in a timely manner including, but not limited to e-mails, phone communication and meeting follow-up responsibilities.
• Establishes and maintains positive interpersonal relationships with team members, patients and family members while maintain personal and professional boundaries.
• Assists with new employee orientation when necessary.
• Effectively plans, organizes, sets priorities and completes works assignments with minimum direct supervision per agency policy and within established time frames.
• Maintains productivity standards as defined by home care supervisor.
• Meets or exceeds agency expected outcomes related to patient experience and hospitalization utilization.
• Performs other duties as assigned by home care clinical supervisor and/or administrator.

Qualifications