Occupational Therapist
BASIC
PURPOSE:
Positions
within this job family are assigned responsibilities involving providing and/or
supervising the delivery of screening, evaluation, assessment, consultation,
and intervention services in an occupational therapy program.
TYPICAL
FUNCTIONS:
The
functions in this job family will vary by level, but may include the following:
· Plans,
conducts, and evaluates occupational therapy treatment/intervention and
activities.
· Interprets
physician referrals and determines appropriate evaluation procedures.
· Makes
recommendations concerning standardized treatments/intervention based on
medical indications.
· Completes
patient assessments concerning independent living skills, occupational
performance, pre-vocational work adjustment, educational skills, social skills
and abilities.
· Tests
neuro-muscular, motor, cognitive and psycho-social skills.
· Interprets
results and proposes a treatment/intervention plan, including short and long
range goals, frequency and duration.
· Provides
treatment/intervention according to the prescribed plan, including task
oriented activities, prevocational activities, neuro-motor and sensory-motor
activities and patient/family counseling and activities.
· Participates
in the assessment, design and fabrication of adaptive equipment and orthotic
devices.
· Evaluates
patient response to treatment/intervention and makes recommendations on changes
in treatment as required.
· Maintains
records concerning treatment/intervention provided, including both subjective
and objective data.
· Initiates
discharge planning, prepares discharge summary, orders required equipment, and
instructs patients and care providers in home program.
· Participates
in a multidisciplinary team to assist in developing intervention strategies to
meet the clients needs.
· May provide
limited supervision and training to therapy assistants and aides in the care
and treatment of patients and the proper completion of standardized procedures.
LEVEL
DESCRIPTORS:
The
Occupational Therapist job family consists of four levels which are
distinguished by the complexity of assigned duties, the depth and breadth of
accountability, the expertise required to perform assigned duties and the
responsibility assigned for providing leadership to others.
This
is the basic level where incumbents perform beginning level professional work
as an occupational therapist and develop their technical skills in screening,
evaluation, assessment, program planning and intervention while assisting in or
performing various treatments.
Knowledge,
Skills and Abilities required at this level include
knowledge of the principles, practices, and ethics of professional occupational
therapy; of therapeutic techniques and their application; and of the materials
used in occupational therapy programs.
Ability is required to use therapeutic equipment and materials; to
evaluate various skills and abilities; to administer prescribed treatments or
conduct planned activities; to interpret medical plans; to establish effective
working relationships with others; and to communicate effectively both orally
and in writing.
Education
and Experience requirements at this level consist of
a current Oklahoma license as an Occupational Therapist issued by the Oklahoma
Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision.
(At this level only: A letter of
eligibility issued by the Oklahoma Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision
will be accepted as long as the letter of eligibility remains valid. However, a valid permanent license as an
Occupational Therapist must be obtained prior to the expiration of the
probationary period.)
This
is the career level where incumbents perform all duties of an occupational
therapist at the full performance level.
The incumbent will assume a lead role in evaluation, assessment, program
planning and intervention.
Knowledge,
Skills and Abilities required at this level include
knowledge of the principles and practices of professional occupational therapy;
of therapeutic techniques and their application to occupational therapy; of
standardized treatments prescribed for various conditions; of the procedures to
evaluate various skills and abilities; and of the supplies, materials and
equipment used in conducting occupational therapy programs. Ability is required to use therapeutic
equipment and materials; to evaluate various skills and abilities; to
administer prescribed treatments and conduct planned activities; to interpret
medical prescriptions; to establish effective working relationships with
others; to effectively communicate both orally and in writing; to exercise
initiative and independent judgment; and to mentor occupational therapy
students during field work experience.
Education
and Experience requirements at this level consist of
those identified in Level I plus one year of professional experience as a
licensed Occupational Therapist; or an advanced level masters degree or
doctorate in pediatric rehabilitative services, pediatric occupational therapy,
special education, or a closely related field may be substituted for the
required experience.
This
is the specialist level where incumbents are assigned responsibilities
involving advanced level duties in occupational therapy. Incumbents at this level may assume a lead
role in evaluation, assessment, program planning, intervention, and supervise
occupational therapy students during field work experience. May provide in-service training in areas of
recognized expertise at the local, regional and state level. Positions which are the only occupational
therapist at a facility with overall responsibility for the program are also
included at this level.
Knowledge,
Skills and Abilities required at this level include those
identified in Level II plus ability is required to develop occupational therapy
treatment plans; and to provide
in-service training at the local, regional and state levels in identified areas
of expertise.
Education
and Experience requirements at this level consist of
those identified in Level II plus two additional years of qualifying experience
or an advanced level masters degree or doctorate in pediatric rehabilitative
services, pediatric occupational therapy, special education (or other similar
degree) may be substituted for two years only of the required experience.
This
is the leadership level where incumbents are assigned responsibility for
developing and implementing an occupational therapy program at an assigned
location to insure that required treatments and activities are provided to
individuals and groups. This includes direct supervision responsibilities and
the coordination of program requirements between units and with other divisions.
Knowledge,
Skills and Abilities required at this level include those
identified in Level III plus ability is required to direct, supervise and
evaluate the work of others; to develop occupational therapy programs and
plans; and to organize and coordinate occupational therapy activities.
Education
and Experience requirements at this level consist of
those identified in Level III plus one additional years of qualifying
experience.
SPECIAL
REQUIREMENTS:
Some
agencies may require experience with specified client populations within the
last five years.