Position Description

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING
Position Number: 50264316	Description Activated On: 8/17/2026 1:18:55 PM

Position Purpose: Describe the primary purpose of this position and how it contributes to the organization’s objectives. Example: Provides clerical and office support within the Division to ensure its operations are conducted efficiently and effectively.

The employee in this position, is responsible for designing, implementing, and evaluating occupational therapy services for the consumers of Danville State Hospital based on occupational therapy concepts and within guidelines provided by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS), and the director of the occupational therapy department. The employee shall provide timely assessments and recommendations to the treatment team. The employee shall implement individualized treatment approaches to assist the consumer in reaching established goals. The employee completes specialized assessments related to physical dysfunction as assigned. This employee is under the direct supervision of the Occupational Therapy Supervisor.

Description of Duties: Describe in detail the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Descriptions should include the major end result of the task. Example: Types correspondence, reports, and other various documents from handwritten drafts for review and signature of the supervisor.

Evaluates consumers referred to occupational therapy services by utilizing appropriate methods and procedures based on the AOTA and occupational therapy departmental standards and documents the results in the individuals EHR, to meet the treatment needs of the individual population and the standards of CMS and the hospital.

Develops and implements O.T. services based on assessed individual needs in collaboration as necessary with department staff to design groups or individual sessions, and monitors and evaluates the impact of services rendered in relationship to meeting individual treatment goals.

Participates in multidisciplinary treatment team meetings by providing recommendations for individual treatment based on assessed needs, sharing information with the individual 's treatment team, assisting with documentation of treatment plans and progress notes in individual EHR, in order to provide comprehensive individualized, recovery-based treatment to individuals.

Participates in department meetings and serves on hospital committees as assigned to promote clear communication of O.T. services within the hospital.

Coordinates the use of space in the occupational therapy treatment areas with co-workers along with requesting from the supervisor necessary equipment, supplies, and/or assistance, in order to provide quality services. Changes in established group schedule and group areas, whether temporary or permanent, must be approved by the OT Supervisor/Chief O.T. prior to implementing the change.

Maintains individual group/individual treatment settings in a clean, safe manner conducive to individual care and reports consumer safety concerns promptly to the OT Supervisor/Chief O.T.

Completes physician ordered consultations for specialized occupational therapy services as assigned by supervisor in a timely manner as per department policies/timelines.

Participates in in-service and out-service training (conferences, seminars, department meetings, case conferences etc.) in order to maintain professional licensure and to keep current on hospital operations and effective O.T. interventions/trends to serve DSH individuals.

Completes all required DSH training at a satisfactory level.

Performs other related duties and special projects as assigned.

Decision Making: Describe the types of decisions made by the incumbent of this position and the types of decisions referred to others. Identify the problems or issues that can be resolved at the level of this position, versus those that must be referred to the supervisor. Example: In response to a customer inquiry, this work involves researching the status of an activity and preparing a formal response for the supervisor’s signature.

1.Based on assessment and identified needs, collaborates with department staff to establish appropriate group or individual interventions for individuals.

2.Directs the activity of individuals within a group or individual setting using clinical judgment and O.T. concepts.

3.Determines need for materials/supplies for specific O.T. groups/activities and forwards that
information/request to the OT Supervisor/Chief O.T.

4.Makes spontaneous decisions as necessary if confronted with a crisis situation assuring, to the extent possible, the safety of all involved. Reports same immediately to supervisor.

5.Issues related to the interpretation of policy/procedure should be forwarded to the supervisor for clarification.

6.Any deviations from established schedule (i.e. group coverage, cancellation, relocation) must be approved by the supervisor prior to implementation. Exception to this situation would be where a spontaneous decision must be made to ensure safety of all individuals involved.

7. Decisions resulting in outcomes that have effects outside of the individual's specific work assignment will be made in consultation with the immediate supervisor.

Requirements Profile: Identify any specific experience or requirements, such as a licensure, registration, or certification, which may be necessary to perform the functions of the position. Position-specific requirements should be consistent with a Special Requirement or other criteria identified in the classification specification covering this position. Example: Experience using Java; Professional Engineer License

Experience:

Licenses, registrations, or certifications:

1.   Occupational Therapist

2.   Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certificate

3.   N/A

4.

5.

6.

Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.

1.	Evaluates referred individuals, recommends appropriate interventions/ goals, and documents results in individual EHR.
2.	Develops and implements skill-based occupational therapy services reflective of assessed individual needs, assisting individuals as necessary, includi
3.	Ability to walk the hallways of the hospital frequently throughout the day to provide OT services to individuals throughout the hospital.
4.	Attends and actively participates in multidisciplinary treatment team meetings.
5.	Coordinates the use of O.T. treatment spaces, group therapy schedules and subsequent supplies/ group materials.
6.	Completes documentation requirements associated with assigned caseload for individual service records/notes, and ITPs to meet CMS/DSH standards.
7.	Provides clear communication in written, verbal and email forms using English. Demonstrates basic computer skills.
8.	Participates in in-service/out-service trainings to maintain professional licensure and stay current on hospital operations.
9.	Completes physician ordered consultations requiring skilled occupational therapy services as assigned.
10.	Completes required trainings at a satisfactory level (i.e. crisis management, CPR, human rights, fire safety).