Occupational Therapist

At Central Maine Healthcare our team members are committed to providing exceptional care and experiences for our community and for each other every day.

Position Summary: The Occupational Therapist evaluates patients and develops a comprehensive treatment plan to restore patients to their maximum functional potential. Directs therapeutic intervention for the restoration of patient’s functioning to prevent disability following injury, disease, or physical disability. Assists patients to reach their maximum performance and level of functioning while learning to live within the limits of their capabilities. Provides treatment and instruction to patients according to acceptable principles and practices of Occupational Therapy. Collaborates as a member of the health care team for the provision of comprehensive patient care. Consistent with training and competency review, provides care to pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric patients. The staff therapist coordinates, delegates and supervises responsibilities assigned to staff (aides, etc.). The staff therapist participates in operational aspects of the department, maintains performance improvement activities within the department and participates in PI activities. Participates in all infection control, departmental equipment training, organizational safety and fire safety programs.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Demonstrates Competency in the following areas:
1. Performs a thorough, organized and objective Occupational Therapy evaluation in appropriate enough depth for patient diagnosis and clinical presentation; identifies the physical therapy problems from the evaluation and incorporated patient potential as well as major barriers to treatment.
2. Develops appropriate treatment goals/plan that is based on the evaluation findings, the patient’s goals, review of the medical record, a history, the referring physician’s goal for the patient, and information gathered from the patient’s health care team.
3. Demonstrates a timely progression in the plan and an update of the plan/goals based on the patient’s response to intervention and reassessments per the policies. Demonstrates timely/correct equipment selection and appliance selection and provides guidance to the patient to obtain.
4. Demonstrates individualized appropriate treatment planning including appropriate therapy application and treatment intervention in the areas of cognitive/perceptual retraining, sensorimotor activities, activities of daily living training, adaptive equipment training, neuromuscular reeducation, oral motor facilitation and retraining, feeding adaptations intervention, energy conservation and joint protection education, therapeutic exercise, mobilization, biofeedback, splinting, orthotic application and training, reconditioning activities, patient/family education, and functional mobility per accepted occupational therapy practice.
5. When the Occupational Therapist delegates set-up for treatment, they must provide supervision and be available to assist as needed.
6. Discusses and advises Medical Staff, patients and patient families, support staff and affiliating students regarding indications/contraindications for treatment, offers alternative modes of treatment and advises in the proper utilization of the service as supported by current Occupational Therapy literature/research.
7. Delivers treatment in compliance with departmental policies, protocols, and per the American Occupational Therapy Associations’ code of Ethics and Standards of Practice
8. Modifies treatment session based on accurate interpretation of patient’s response to treatment.
9. Able to assess patient pain interfering with optimal level of function or participation in rehabilitation - makes appropriate physician contact for intervention.
10. Addresses in treatment sessions, patient’s identified occupational therapy goals, per the evaluation.
11. Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors.
12. Treats patients and their families with respect and dignity. Identifies and addresses psychosocial, cultural, ethnic and religious/spiritual needs of patients and their families.
13. Manages and operates equipment safely and correctly. Maintains department cleanliness and safety.
14. Interacts professionally with patient/family and involves patient/family in the formation of the plan of care and conducts treatment sessions to assure the safety of the therapist, support staff and the patient at all times.
15. Communicates appropriately and clearly to physicians and members of the health care team.
16. Coordinates and directs patient care to ensure patients’ needs are met and hospital policy is followed.
17. Demonstrates an ability to be flexible, organized and function under stressful situations.
18. Maintains a good