05/01/1986 31120

LICENSED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

DEFINITION: This is journey level professional work in the field of occupational therapy at a Commonwealth facility for those with mental or physical illnesses or handicaps.

An employee in this class designs, implements, and evaluates occupational therapy segments of individual program plans to further the comprehensive treatment/habilitation of patients/residents. The employee conducts medically, developmentally and/or psychologically focused occupational therapy programs to determine current skill levels and assist patients/residents in developing basic functional skills or retain or strengthen existing skills. The diverse modalities used in these programs may include arts and crafts, audio-visual media, physical restorative activities, and adaptive equipment and devices, and are chosen for their ability to contribute toward reaching individual patient/resident goals. Program objectives may directed toward activities of daily living, group interaction, sensory stimulation and training, physical conditioning, reflex inhibition, or neuro-muscular facilitation in order to stimulate alter the neuro-physiological or psychosocial development of the patient/resident and to provide a context for normal living. Formal assessments of patient/resident functioning levels, strengths, and needs are made and methods for responding to assessed needs are formulated and presented to a multi-disciplinary team responsible for individual patient'/resident's comprehensive program plans. An important aspect of the work is the on-going review and evaluation of patient/resident needs and progress toward achieving program goals. Work is performed independently under general supervision and is reviewed by a higher level licensed therapist or other professional supervisor for quality and achievement of occupational therapy program goals through observation, conferences and reports.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Develops, monitors, evaluates, and implements occupational therapy segments of comprehensive individual patient/resident program plans.

Develops specifically planned occupational therapy goals and objectives to implement the occupational therapy segments of comprehensive individual program plans.

Contributes to occupational therapy program planning and development.

Supervises, or directs and instructs therapeutic activity aides and licensed occupational therapy assistants in the conduct of individual and group occupational therapy activities such as self-care skills training, activities of daily living training, physical restorative activities, sensory stimulation and integration, and group interaction activities.

Attends multi-disciplinary team meetings and provides recommendations regarding the use or benefit of specific occupational therapy modalities in the individual patient's/resident's program plans.

Chooses modalities for their ability to produce predetermined goals such as increased muscle strength and coordinating, sensory motor integration, and/or increased awareness of and ability to cope with one's surroundings and interpersonal relationships.

Evaluates, with physicians, higher level therapists, and other professional staff, the neuro-physiological and psycho-social needs and progress of patients/residents and adapts occupational therapy techniques and modalities to meet these needs.

Coordinates scheduling of space, equipment and staff for occupational therapy activities within assigned areas and integrates scheduling with services provided by other clinical disciplines.

Screens and prepares referrals to other therapeutic activities or other clinical services.

Provides individual instruction, direction, and support to patients/residents.

Maintains necessary administrative and clinical records, and requisitions supplies and equipment needed for the implementation of occupational therapy services.

Participates in in- and out-service training to keep abreast of theory and methods in the field of occupational therapy.

Participates in occupational therapy services staff meetings.

Conducts in-service training for aides, volunteers, and other facility staff.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the current principles and techniques of occupational therapy.

Knowledge of the various kinds of occupational therapy activities such as self-care skills training, activities of daily living training, physical restorative activities, sensory stimulation and integration, and group inter-action activities, and the techniques to motivate patients'/residents' interest and participation in them.

Knowledge of individual and group behavior, and effective ways of working with those with physical illnesses or handicaps.

Knowledge of the fundamentals of body structure and functions and the relationship between the neuro-physiological and psycho-social aspects of human development and behavior.

Knowledge of the types and specifications of occupational therapy equipment and supplies needed for occupational therapy services, and their proper care and maintenance.

Knowledge of behavioral, rehabilitative, and developmental principles and practices, and their application to daily living situations.

Knowledge of health and safety policies, procedures and practices.

Skill in assessing patient/resident functioning level, strengths, needs, and progress of patients/residents relative to occupational therapy program requirements.

Skill in observing and evaluating patient/resident behavior, and in adapting activities to meet individual needs of patients/residents.

Skill in writing clear and understandable assessments, program plans, and progress notes, in behavioral terms.

Ability to interpret and apply departmental and facility policy and appropriate standards.

Ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with those with mental handicaps.

Ability to design, implement, and evaluate occupational therapy segments of individual program plans in accordance with patients'/residents' functioning levels, strengths, and needs.

Ability to write clear and concise occupational therapy program plan descriptions, goals, and objectives.

Ability to supervise aides and licensed occupational therapy assistants.

Ability to foster interest, initiative, responsibility, and independence on the part of patients/residents, and assist them in developing appropriate behavior.

Ability to coordinate occupational therapy activities with services offered by other clinical disciplines.

Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.

Ability to instruct other professional and non-professional staff in the theory and practices of occupational therapy.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Possession of a license to practice occupational therapy as issued by the Pennsylvania State Board of Occupational Therapy Education and Licensure.