PACE Occupational Therapist

Overview

SUMMARY:

Under the supervision of the PACE Center Director, the Occupational Therapist screens and assesses member functional status. Uses pertinent data to plan and implement appropriate interventions and communicates the same to the inter-disciplinary team to ensure the functional status of members is considered, including those members who are considered to be at high fall risk.  Provides direct guidance to Patient Care Aides, Rehabilitation Assistants and other staff assisting with Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) members’ direct care. Assists in in-services to support staff education. Conducts group education to members as assigned.

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

PERFORMANCE AREA 1:

Works closely with the Interdisciplinary Team to:

• Performs initial and annual screenings/assessments as assigned and uses independent judgment to make appropriate recommendations for services. 
• Functions as a member of the interdisciplinary team.  Maintains regular attendance at, and participation in, interdisciplinary team meetings; collaborates on care planning and service allocation decisions.
• Completes member evaluations as needed and uses analysis, interpretation and decision-making skills to independently develop a Physical Therapy plan of care.  Evaluations include but are not limited to the following: functional, physical and activities of daily living (ADL) status, cognitive functioning, visual-perceptual status, feeding ability, cooking skills, bed mobility, wheelchair needs, home safety/environmental assessments and restraint assessments.
• Participate in interdisciplinary care plan development and discharge planning for members.This involvement extends to other facilities caring  for PACE members.
• Provides regular updates to team on members’ status in therapy, including therapy discharge plans.
• Provides treatment as indicated and implements occupational therapy procedures consistent with achieving identified goals; grades activities to facilitate goals.   
• Assesses need for adaptive and/or durable medical equipment (DME), makes recommendations to interdisciplinary team according to policy and assists with issuance of DME as indicated.
• Develops, instructs and, when indicated, supervises other staff and/or caregivers on follow-through programs for the members to be carried out by individuals other than Occupational Therapist.
• May assess the need for on-going skilled services and provides authorization for Occupational and Speech Therapies provided in a nursing home and with contracted agencies, following initial evaluation order by Primary Care.
• Communicates as needed with utilization therapist and/or contracted therapists as directed by Rehab Therapy policy and updates the interdisciplinary team.
• Provides regular updates to team on member status in therapy, including discharge plans.
• Participates in meetings as required.        
• Assesses need for adaptive and/or durable medical equipment (DME), makes recommendations to interdisciplinary team according to policy and assists with issuance of DME as indicated.
• Performs minor equipment repairs as directed by Rehab Department policy.
• Assists in hiring, orientation and training of Rehabilitation Aides, including all areas of performance consistent with department policies. Reports directly to supervisor regarding these issues and provides input for performance evaluation.
• Assists in hiring, orientation, training and provides professional supervision for Occupational Therapy Assistant(s) (OTA), in conjunction with Rehabilitation leadership. Adheres to department policy and occupational therapy practice laws and reports to direct supervisor regarding these issues.  Provides ongoing education to OTA(s).
• Delegates restorative care plans to Rehab Aides when indicated and in a timely manner.
• Reviews restorative care plans as directed by department policy.
• Completes documentation per policy.
• Consults with Recreational Therapy Department regarding activity adaptations and/or alternative exercise programs. 
• Develops special programs according to member needs.
• Participates in committees as needed.
• Advocate for community-based services and commitment to risk-based long-term care system to serve the frail elderly population of the community.
• Provides OT coverage for other PACE sites as needed.
• Communicates observed staffing needs/changes and program development needs to supervisor.
• Provides training in body mechanics, support of activities of daily living and use of assistive/adaptive devices to staff and caregivers.
• Educates staff, members and family on services available through occupational th