Occupational Therapist Ortho/Neuro - Outpatient, South Bay

Job Description

Position: Occupational Therapist, Outpatient South Bay
Location: Dorchester, MA
Schedule: 40 Hours per week

Position Summary

The Staff Occupational Therapist conducts comprehensive assessments of in and outpatients with physical, cognitive, psychosocial, or functional deficits, planning and implementing individual/group occupational therapy treatments to achieve the highest possible level of independence in daily living skills. Collaborates with other disciplines to arrange for appropriate follow‑up care and facilitates a successful return to home and work environments. Provides student training according to departmental guidelines and participates in continuous education.

Job Responsibilities

Conducts occupational therapy evaluation procedures according to professional and departmental guidelines.

• Responds to all consults in assigned area within 24 hours; completes evaluation and documentation within 48 hours of consult (IP).


• Reviews patient records, gathers necessary information, and obtains a physician’s order prior to assessing the patient.


• Selects evaluation procedures that reflect understanding of the patient’s diagnosis, abilities, and limitations.


• Administers evaluation procedures according to the guidelines of standardized tests (including upper extremity, muscle strength, range of motion, endurance, and activities of daily living); adapts evaluation procedures as indicated to accommodate the specific needs of patients.


• Interprets evaluation results, develops an integrated diagnostic impression, and makes recommendations.


• Performs re‑evaluations according to departmental policies, change in patient’s status or response to treatment.


• Educates patient and caregiver regarding evaluation findings and management of care recommendations.

Establishes treatment goals and plans that reflect the needs of the patients while meeting departmental, institutional, and third‑party reimbursement requirements.

• Formulates treatment goals and plans that reflect the patient’s unique psychological and functional deficits.


• Establishes measurable and attainable short and long‑term goals in collaboration with patient and/or caregiver.


• Modifies goals as warranted by changes in patient’s status.


• Assesses discharge needs of the patient and caregiver, including insurance issues, equipment needs, follow‑up appointments, and appropriate use of community services.


• Communicates patient care and discharge needs to team members as needed. Arranges for appropriate follow‑up.

Implements comprehensive individual and group treatment. Consistently demonstrates clinical competence.

• Establishes treatment priorities based on evaluation results and the specific needs of the patients. Uses creative treatment approaches and explores alternative solutions to individual patient problems.


• Demonstrates clinical problem‑solving skills with a variety of patient problems and substantiates actions taken.


• Fabricates issues or recommends appropriate adaptive or orthotic devices according to accepted occupational therapy standards.


• Develops and instructs patient and caregiver in home programs and/or use of recommended equipment; provides verbal and/or written instructions as indicated.


• Notifies supervisor/manager when patients in age groups not regularly served are present, and seeks assistance from individuals with the knowledge of the specialized needs of such patient age groups.


• Adheres to diagnosis‑related precautions. Demonstrates good judgment in handling potentially hazardous situations, seeking assistance as necessary.

Complies with departmental, institutional, and accrediting agency policies and standards.

• Completes area‑specific documentation (including letters, re‑evaluations) in an accurate, thorough and timely manner according to department standards scoring an average of 95% or greater on each indicator.


• Issues supplies/adaptive equipment in a cost‑effective manner. Justifies issuance of equipment, demonstrates actual use by patient. Looks for alternative solutions.


• Meets area‑specific productivity standards at least 95% of the time. Identifies problems and makes adjustments to meet targeted productivity.


• Participates in the peer review process. Completes form thoroughly, gives meaningful and constructive feedback, and provides learning experience to peer.


• Completes mandatory requirements (including PPD, competencies, and safety/infection control tests, CPR, and license renewal) within given time frame.

Shows evidence of ongoing professional growth and knowledge of regulations and standards.

• Initiates independent learning opportunities, seeks out and integrates new information in daily practice. Communicates learning needs to supervisor.


• Stays current with advances in occupational therapy treatments and techniques through attendance of professional meetings, continuing education, and reading of current literature.


• Shows knowledge of professional federal and state rules and regulations governing the practice of occupational therapy.


• Assumes responsibility and accountability for the care of the patients being treated by the certified occupational therapy assistant.


• Directs and supervises the rehabilitation aide consistent with the State Practice Act in a safe and effective manner.

Participates in the development and evaluation of occupational therapy programs.

• Identifies assigned rotation/floor needs and communicates with senior therapists and supervisor/manager. Contributes to the development and updating of unit files and other pertinent resource material.


• Assists in developing and achieving area goals.


• Collects data required to complete research projects, clinical outcome studies, and departmental quality improvement projects in compliance with JCAHO standards.


• Contributes to the assessment, planning, and implementation of occupational therapy programs in collaboration with supervisor and peers.

Collaborates with colleagues and other professionals to provide high quality patient care.

• Works as part of the rehabilitation therapy team, helping and supporting staff members as needed; listens to and seeks feedback from others; shares knowledge with others in a positive manner; expresses opinions clearly.


• Accommodates to change by being adaptable and flexible and maintains professional demeanor during periods of stress. Assumes a leadership role and takes charge in difficult situations.


• Attends and participates in all mandatory department meetings. Arrives prepared and on time.


• Accepts and completes additional assignments as requested by supervisor, including membership in department and hospital task forces and committees.


• Provides at least one evidence‑based area in‑service annually. Provides in‑services to other hospital personnel as requested.

Orients medical professional staff and the community to Occupational Therapy and supervises occupational therapy students.

• Participates in pre‑affiliation, class related, or other observation experiences.


• Orients medical professional staff and students and the community (e.g., volunteers, high school initiatives).


• Shows leadership and flexibility by taking students despite a new or challenging rotation. Takes additional occupational therapy students to help meet the needs of the department/students.


• If not eligible to take own students, assists with occasional supervision of other clinical instructor’s students. Provides a well‑rounded learning experience for affiliating occupational therapy students.


• Assesses the learning needs of assigned occupational therapy students and provides training in patient evaluation and treatment procedures as practiced on assigned units.


• Facilitates development of clinical problem‑solving skills of the affiliating students by asking probing questions.

(The above statements in this job description are intended to depict the general nature and level of work assigned to the employee(s) in this job. The above is not intended to represent an exhaustive list of accountable duties and responsibilities required).

Education

• Work requires a Bachelor’s / Master’s or equivalent in Occupational Therapy from an accredited institution by time of hire.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations Required

• Work requires a current license and certification by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts by time of hire. NCBOT, AOTA and MAOT membership preferred.


• Work requires a current CPR certification.

Experience

• New grads welcome; experienced therapists encouraged to apply.

Knowledge and Skills

• Work requires interpersonal skills necessary to effectively interact with patients, families and various members of the health care team.


• Work requires analytical abilities sufficient to evaluate patients’ condition, capabilities and progress to develop appropriate treatment programs.

Boston Medical Center is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. If you need accommodation for any part of the application process because of a medical condition or disability, please send an e‑mail to Talentacquisition@bmc.org or call 617‑638‑8582 to let us know the nature of your request.

Compensation Range

$37.50 – $54.33. This range offers an estimate based on the minimum job qualifications. However, our approach to determining base pay is comprehensive, and a broad range of factors is considered when making an offer. This includes education, experience, skills, and certifications/licensures as they directly relate to position requirements; as well as business/organizational needs, internal equity, and market‑competitiveness. In addition, BMCHS offers generous total compensation that includes, but is not limited to, benefits (medical, dental, vision, pharmacy), discretionary annual bonuses and merit increases, Flexible Spending Accounts, 403(b) savings matches, paid time off, career advancement opportunities, and resources to support employee and family well‑being.

NOTE

This range is based on Boston‑area data, and is subject to modification based on geographic location.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans

According to the FTC, there has been a rise in employment offer scams. Our current job openings are listed on our website and applications are received only through our website. We do not ask or require downloads of any applications, or “apps” job offers are not extended over text messages or social media platforms. We do not ask individuals to purchase equipment for or prior to employment.