05/01/1986 31130

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST SUPERVISOR

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

An employee in this class plans, organizes, and supervises the delivery of occupational therapy services to patients/residents or coordinates facility-wide occupational therapy services with services provided by other disciplines and functions as the professional resource person for all matters requiring occupational therapy expertise within the facility. Work involves directing the design, implementation and evaluation of occupational therapy program plans, including the assessment of patients'/residents' functioning levels, strengths, and needs, formulation of occupational therapy segments of comprehensive individual program plans, and presentation of treatment/habilitative methods to a multi-disciplinary team. The employee plans, develops, and implements medically, developmentally, and/or psychologically focused occupational therapy programs to determine current 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. Program objectives may be directed toward activities of daily living, group interaction, sensory stimulation or training, physical conditioning, reflex inhibition, or neuro-muscular facilitation in order to stimulate or alter the neuro-physiological or psycho-social development of the patient/resident and to provide a context for normal living. Employees develop operational procedures, interpret policies and programs to staff personnel, and supervise the delivery of occupational therapy programs. Supervision is normally exercised over lower level therapists, professional workers, licensed occupational therapy assistants, and aides. Work is performed with a considerable degree of independence under the general direction of a Chief Occupational Therapist or other administrative supervisor and is reviewed through conferences and reports to determine quality and achievement of established objectives.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Plans, organizes and supervises occupational therapy services provided to patients/residents in a facility for those with mental or physical illnesses or disabilities.

Coordinates and evaluates the delivery of occupational therapy services within a Commonwealth facility to individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Participates in developing and coordinating policies and procedures related to occupational therapy program planning and development.

Directs the development, implementation and evaluation of occupational therapy segments of the comprehensive individual patient/resident program plans.

Develops operational procedures pertinent to the conduct of occupational therapy programs.

Interprets policies and procedures to staff personnel and cooperates in the coordination of occupational therapy services with other professional services.

Supervises professional, para-professional, and non-professional staff; prepares and signs employee performance evaluation; interviews prospective employees and recommends employee selection or ranks applicants in terms of preferability of employment; approves leave, schedules work assignments, and authorizes or assigns overtime.

Reviews and identifies training needs of staff; initiates training recommendations; plans and conducts training, and demonstrates more efficient work methods.

Directs and participates in providing occupational therapy-related training of professional and non-professional staff in other disciplines.

Conducts clinical internship programs for affiliated occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant students who intern at the facility.

Arranges for student interns to have experience with varying types of problems and disabilities, and to receive orientation to the facilities' occupational therapy services and functions of other disciplines.

Consults with the multi-disciplinary team on the development and conduct of occupational therapy programs.

Coordinates delivery of occupational therapy programs within assigned areas or integrates occupational therapy services with services provided by other clinical disciplines, in accordance with individual patient/resident program plans.

Serves on unit, building or facility administrative or policy committees.

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

Participates in peer review processes.

Reviews reports of subordinate staff, and maintains necessary administrative and clinical records.

Requisitions, inspects and supervises proper maintenance of supplies and equipment needed for the implementation of occupational therapy services.

Performs related work as required.

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

Knowledge of the principles and methods of fostering physical and mental health and the treatment and habilitation of those with mental or physical illnesses or disabilities through occupational therapy programs.

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

Knowledge of individual and group behavior and effective ways of working with those with mental or physical illnesses or disabilities.

Knowledge of body structure and functions and of the relationships 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 development principles and practices, and their application to daily living situations.

Knowledge of health and safety policies, procedures, and practices.

Knowledge of principles and methods of in-service training programs pertinent to occupational therapy and out-service training resources.

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

Skill in observing and evaluating occupational therapy services, and in directing staff in adapting activities to meet individual needs of patients/residents.

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

Ability to utilize clinical and program data in planning, evaluating and directing implementation of occupational therapy programs and to adapt and implement such programs as required.

Ability to plan, assign, supervise and evaluate the work of professional, para-professional, and non-professional staff, and student interns.

Ability to evaluate staff training needs and develop training programs to meet those needs utilizing varied techniques and resources.

Ability to establish cooperative relationships with universities having occupational therapy assistant and occupational therapy curricula, and conduct training programs based on university standards.

Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other professional and non-professional personnel within the facility and in the community.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: One year as a Licensed Occupational Therapist;

or

One year of experience as a Professional licensed occupational therapist;

or

Any equivalent combination of experience and training.

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