Occupational Therapist - PEDS NICU/Acute Care

Department Overview

The purpose of this position is to function as a member of the Rehabilitation Services patient care team by providing occupational therapy services to the pediatric population, with a primary focus in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and in Acute Care.

Occupational therapy services are intended to improve functional independence in self-care, work/school, and play/leisure and may be pivotal to client discharge from the hospital, community integration, academic/professional success and/or quality of life. These services may include, but are not limited to: ADL (activities of daily living) training, energy conservation strategies, splint fabrication and monitoring, exercise for improved functional range of motion/strength/endurance, sensory integration activities, developmental stimulation, perceptual/cognitive training, assistive technology, and provision of appropriate adaptive equipment. The Occupational Therapist in this position would be expected to serve patients in multiple areas of Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. This position requires skills to both evaluate a patient’s functional performance and participation in activities of daily living as well as to provide appropriate therapeutic interventions to improve or enhance functional performance and independence. Assessment areas may include, but are not limited to, patient’s daily routines of self-care, feeding, play, school-related activities, sensory integrative and perceptual-motor processing, motoric abilities, prevocational skills, and community living skills. Parent or caregiver education and training is an integral part of this position. This position requires the ability to use Evidence Based Practice and Practice Based Evidence in achieving functional outcomes.

Therapists evaluate each patient referred, establish treatment goals/objectives, develop and treatment plan and implement the plan. Therapists are expected to supervise therapy interns, assist with other educational research activities conducted by the department or the hospital and meet hospital standards regarding documentation and productivity.

Function/Duties of Position

PROVIDES A SAFE THERAPEUTIC ENVIRONMENT

• Ensures the safety and welfare of patients and fellow employees
• Utilizes proper posture, sound body mechanics and principles for safe patient handling
• Considers the needs of patients, employees, medical staff, volunteers, vendors and members of the community in an informative, courteous and compassionate manner
• Maintains general good physical and mental health and self-care in order not to jeopardize the health and safety of self and others in the hospital / clinical setting

PROFESSIONALISM

• Maintains current knowledge of professional practice responsibilities and relevant national and state laws and issues which affect their practice
• Models ethical appropriate behavior, professional standards, compliance, and personal integrity
• Identifies and pursues continuing education opportunities; applies and shares new knowledge
• Participates in departmental staff meetings and in-service education programs
• Takes responsibility for special projects and assignments, and additional caseload when needed
• Displays mature, empathetic and effective professional relationships by exhibiting compassion, integrity and concern for others
• Conducts oneself in an ethical and legal manner, upholding the AOTA Code of Ethics, OHSU, federal privacy policies, and state statues / OAR's specific to discipline.
• Adapts to changing and demanding environments

SERVICE

• Demonstrates excellent customer service and communication skills in all interactions with patients and family, including both telephone and face-to-face situations
• Uses I CARE for introduction and closing
• Demonstrates active listening skills and supportive, professional/behavior at all times, to patients, families and staff
• Addresses complaints and problems promptly and courteously, involving management when indicated
• Communicates with patients/families, other health care team members, in a time and cost efficient, courteous manner

EVALUATION AND CASELOAD MANAGEMENT

• Prioritizes patient care needs given medical necessity, discharge plan, medical stability and appropriateness to participate in rehabilitation
• Evaluates patients to determine appropriateness of referral, and the abilities, disabilities and therapy needs of the patient. Identifies rehabilitation potential, establishes treatment goals specific to the scope of acute care rehabilitation, including functional outcomes, quantitative measures and target dates
• Develops treatment plans to achieve identifie