Job Description

University of Utah Job Description

Job Summary

Qualifications

• Current RQI Healthcare Provider eCredential through the University of Utah Health RQI system. The eCredential is to be obtained within 30 days of hire.

• Current licensure to practice as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant from the State of Utah or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years of related work experience).

This position is patient-sensitive and must fulfill all associated vaccination requirements, or be approved for an exemption, prior to the first day of work. We protect our patients, coworkers and community by requiring all patient-sensitive employees to be immunized according to CDC standards and hospital policy. Limited exemptions may be made for documented medical contraindications or religious beliefs that object to vaccinations.

Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

Disclaimer

This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification.  It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.

Essential Functions

• Assists with the patient evaluation, under the supervision of an occupational therapist, by obtaining information such as occupational role, activities of daily living, history, cognition, perception, strength and range of motion.
• Assists with establishing the patient's treatment plan and goals.
• Provides direct patient care services utilizing appropriate procedures, equipment and techniques under the supervision of an occupational therapist.
• Modifies treatment approaches to reflect the needs of the patient under the supervision of an occupational therapist.
• Adapts intervention of the environment, tools, materials and activities according to the needs of the patient and his/her socio-cultural context.
• Communicates and interacts with other team members and the patient's family and care givers.
• Formulates discontinuation of patient care and follow-up plans under the supervision of an occupational therapist.
• Provides documentation of patient care in accordance with established criteria.
• Schedules patient appointments and prioritizes case load.
• Maintains treatment area, equipment and supply inventory.
• Participates in continuous quality improvement projects.
• Directs the activities of aides and volunteers.
• Participates in activities such as departmental in-services, conferences, staff and team meetings, continuing education courses, clinics and research.

Problem Solving

• Ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined above.
• Demonstrated human relation and effective communication skills.
• Provide care appropriate to the population served.
• Ability to provide timely, appropriate and quality occupational therapy services to patients, provide work direction to aides, volunteers and occupational therapy assistant students, and respond to emergency situations according to policy and procedures.
• Ability to respond to emergency situations such as disasters, fire drills, cardiac arrest, fainting, choking and dysreflexia. These situations need to be responded to immediately to ensure the safety and well being of patients.
• Ability to modify treatment activities for a variety of diagnoses and level of patient acuity, and prioritize case loads to ensure that optimal service and patient care are provided in a timely, appropriate and quality manner.
• Ability to participate in rotation of work area, weekends, week day hours and assigned holidays.
• Demonstrated knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served on his or her assigned unit.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the principles of life span growth and development and the ability to assess data regarding the patient's status and provide care as described in the department's policies and procedures manual.

Comments

Employee must be able to meet the following requirements with or without an accommodation.

• This position involves intermediate working conditions in a healthcare setting that may exert up to 50 pounds and may consistently require lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, or otherwise moving patients or objects, such as medical equipment, while providing patient care. Workers in this position may be exposed to infectious diseases and may be required to function around prisoners or behavioral health patients.

The staff member must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served on his or her assigned unit.  The individual must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of life span growth and development and the ability to assess data regarding the patient's status and provide care as described in the department's policies and procedures manual.