STAFF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST/ ACUTE CARE

ACUTE CARE/ INPATIENT Occupational Therapist/ FULL TIME 40 HOURS DAYS / BOSTON, MA

Highlights:

• The Staff Occupational Therapist position is an excellent opportunity for a Massachusetts licensed Therapist seeking clinical and professional growth at a dynamic academic medical center.
• We are specifically looking for a therapist who has 2 years of acute rehab or acute care experience. All clinical staff are eligible for merit based promotions through our career ladder program (i.e. staff OT, senior OT, clinical specialist OT) after meeting established criteria as outlined in departmental policy.
• Occupational Therapists treat patients with a variety of diagnoses across a range of acuity and across seven services: Orthopedics/Trauma, Cardiovascular, Thoracic/Pulmonary, Oncology, Neurology, General Medicine, and the Emergency Department. Additionally, we are looking for clinicians who will be able to treat patients with a variety of different backgrounds and identities.
• Newly increased Pay Rates!
• Excellent Benefits: Tuition Reimbursement $5,250/yr, Continuing Education, Generous Paid Time Off, 403B Match, MBTA Pass Subsidy,
• Pension/Cash Balance Account, Medical, Dental, Short-Term Disability, and much more.
• Nationally ranked academic medical center.
• Employee would be eligible for career laddering promotions to clinical specialist, with appropriate experience and certifications.
• Primary Assigned Clinical Area: Inpatient Acute Care at BWH and Dana Farber Inpatient Hospital within BWH.
  Opportunities to mentor others, chart your own growth and development, and recognition.

A Staff Occupational Therapist is an individual with an unrestricted license to practice occupational therapy in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Their primary responsibility is to provide patient care on the rotation/service to which they are assigned in accordance with State licensing regulations, Departmental Standards and policies, and accepted Professional Standards of Care.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Provides occupational therapy care in accordance with State Licensure Statute and Regulations, Professional Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics, applicable federal, state and regulatory agencies' standards and regulations, hospital and departmental policies and procedures. Specifically:

• Performs occupational therapy examinations and evaluations on appropriately referred patients.
• Identifies, using measurable parameters, physical impairments and associated dysfunction(s).
• Establishes treatment goals with timelines, in collaboration with patient and/or caregiver.
• Develops treatment plans directed towards resolving or improving impairment(s) and associated dysfunction.
• Performs occupational therapy interventions that are skilled and effective.
• Re-evaluates and modifies treatment plans as appropriate.
• Discharges patients as appropriate.

2. Demonstrates competency in all clinical knowledge and skills specific to the patient case type(s) in assigned areas of care

3. Collaborates with other health care providers to provide coordinated, interdisciplinary care.

4. Consults with other members of the health care team to insure coordination and effectiveness of therapies provided.

5. Demonstrates effective written and oral communication skills. Maintains documentation according to departmental policy and format that is accurate, complete and timely.

6. Assists in implementation of triaging, prioritizing, monitoring admissions, referrals, and discharges to and from the service as assigned. Manages patient caseload as assigned.

7. Demonstrates ongoing professional growth and development with evidence of effective self-assessment skills, initiative, acceptance of the responsibility for professional behavior, and ongoing acquisition of knowledge and skill.

8. Participates in departmental meetings, which help to formulate policies, procedures and program development.

9. Supervises aides and other support personnel as appropriate.

10. Supervises level 1 students and other individuals seeking educational experiences related to occupational therapy.

11. Performs other duties as assigned.

12. Demonstrates effective Work Habits.

Sound work habits include:

• Patient care and other work responsibilities are done in a timely, complete and accurate manner.
• Is punctual, and uses benefit time appropriately and according to policy.
• Practices in a safe and efficient manner. Follows departmental and hospital policies regarding equipment use.
• Maintains work space, equipment and work environs in a neat and orderly manner.
• Adheres to all hospital and departmental policies and procedures.
• Practices and completes work responsibilities in a productive and cost effective manner.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Must be a graduate of an accredited occupational therapy program.

2. Must possess a current unrestricted license to practice occupational therapy from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

3. Minimum of one year of acute care or acute rehab experience strongly preferred.

SKILLS/ ABILITIES/ COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:

1. Must possess communication and interpersonal skills sufficient to manage a diverse patient population of varying diagnosis and case types.

2. Must possess analytical abilities and sound knowledge in Occupational Therapy to effectively manage a varied caseload demonstrating sound clinical decision making and judgment (up to 90% of work time).

3. Work requires up to three months orientation to acquire necessary familiarity with department and hospital policies and procedures, specific standards of care, competencies, and procedures unique to the assigned patient area.

4. Must possess effective communication skills (written and verbal) to interact with patients (up to 70% of work time), rehabilitation and medical team (up to 20% of work time), and patients' families (up to 10% of work time).

5. Must be able to adjust level of language to be appropriate for individuals and/or audience.

6. Work requires prolonged walking and standing (up to 90% of work time); lifting, transferring, and positioning of patients and equipment (10% - 50% of work time), and the transportation of patients (up to 10% of work time).

7. Work with critically ill patients (up to 10% of work time) produces a high level of stress and mental fatigue.

8. Must be able to work with newborns (if assigned) to the oldest old (up to 20% of the work time). The majority of patient care (70% of work time) is with individuals who are 18-65 yrs old.

9. Must demonstrate appropriate knowledge of the principles of growth and development, from neonates to the oldest old. In addition, the therapist must demonstrate competency in examination/evaluation and treatment interventions relative to age specific needs for the patient population for which they provide therapy, and as described in the department's practice standards.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

1. Works in hospital environments where there is some exposure to blood/body fluids/hazardous materials, communicable diseases (10% - 25% of work time) and unpleasant odors (up to 25% of work time).

2. Work requiring physical effort for lifting, transferring, and positioning of patients and/or equipment (up to 50% of work time) may result in musculoskeletal strain or injury with improper body mechanics.

3. Work requires use of sharp and/or electrical equipment (up to 20%), which could result in, cuts or burns with improper safety.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Assists with supervision and education of staff therapists, assistants, and aides.

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Patient charges are entered in an accurate and timely manner as appropriately supported by the medical documentation.

2. Hospital and department equipment is managed in an appropriate and cost efficient manner.

HOSPITAL WIDE RESPONSIBILITIES:

Works within legal, regulatory, accreditation and ethical practice standards relevant to the position and as established by BWH/Partners; follows safe practices required for the position; complies with appropriate BWH and Partners policies and procedures; fulfills any training required by BWH and/or Partners, as appropriate; brings potential matters of non-compliance to the attention of the supervisor or other appropriate hospital staff.

Brigham and Women's Hospital is an Affirmative Action Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.