Under the direction of the Chief Clinical Officer and the supervision of a licensed Occupational Therapist, the Occupational Therapy Assistant at Phoenix Specialty Hospital provides occupational therapy treatment to patients in accordance with the plan of care established by the supervising Occupational Therapist, the Arizona Occupational Therapy Practice Act (Arizona Revised Statutes Title 32, Chapter 34), Arizona Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners rules (Arizona Administrative Code Title 4, Chapter 43), Arizona Administrative Code Title 9, Chapter 10 (Health Care Institutions: Licensing), CMS Conditions of Participation, The Joint Commission standards, and all other applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
This position provides direct patient care to adult and geriatric populations, carrying out individualized therapy interventions that restore or enhance functional independence in activities of daily living. The Occupational Therapy Assistant must demonstrate sound judgment, professional integrity, and a commitment to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care, and participates in quality improvement and departmental initiatives.
Must be able to perform in all patient care and operational areas, with or without reasonable accommodation, and use all mandatory safety devices, procedures, and required Personal Protective Equipment. Must also participate in the Respiratory Protection Program, which may include wearing a respirator.
- Reviews patient information and the plan of care established by the supervising Occupational Therapist prior to initiating treatment.
- Provides occupational therapy treatment as delegated by the supervising Occupational Therapist, aimed at restoring or enhancing functional independence in activities of daily living.
- Utilizes interventions such as therapeutic activities, ADL retraining, assistive and adaptive devices, sensorimotor techniques, and energy conservation strategies, in accordance with the plan of care.
- Contributes to the evaluation process by collecting data and administering delegated assessments; does not interpret evaluation results, establish the plan of care, or make discharge determinations independently.
- Monitors patient status and response to treatment, modifies interventions within the established plan of care, and reports changes in patient condition to the supervising Occupational Therapist.
- Practices within the scope of an Occupational Therapy Assistant and in accordance with Arizona Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners supervision requirements.
- Participates in interdisciplinary care planning, including patient care conferences and discharge planning, as requested.
- Educates patients, families, and caregivers on home exercise programs, adaptive equipment use, and safety techniques as established by the Occupational Therapist.
- Ensures timely and accurate documentation of treatment sessions, patient responses, and progress in the patient medical record and departmental systems, in accordance with hospital and regulatory guidelines.
- Meets established departmental productivity standards for the position.
- Assists with clinical instruction of Occupational Therapy Assistant students as requested.
- Completes all annual mandatory training, competency validation, and certification requirements, and maintains current licensure and certifications without lapse.
- Pursues continuing education appropriate to the discipline and responsibilities, including continuing education required for license renewal in Arizona.
- Participates in Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI), infection prevention, and patient safety activities; works safely, uses supplies and equipment cost-effectively, and promptly reports hazards and on-the-job injuries.
- Maintains a clean, safe, and organized treatment area and ensures therapy equipment and supplies are in good working order, reporting any malfunctions promptly.
- Adheres to all Phoenix Specialty Hospital policies and procedures, including the Code of Conduct and Corporate Compliance Program, safety rules, The Joint Commission standards, Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) health care institution licensing rules, CMS Conditions of Participation, HIPAA, and the requirements of any other regulatory agency.
- Works collaboratively with all departments, demonstrates flexibility with changes in census, staffing, and scheduling, and provides service excellence to patients, families, and fellow staff.
- Demonstrates, supports, and models the mission, vision, values, and code of conduct of Phoenix Specialty Hospital.
- Willingly performs other duties as assigned or requested by the Chief Clinical Officer.
Qualifications
Education:
- Graduate of an Occupational Therapy Assistant program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)
Experience:
- Experience in acute care or inpatient settings preferred
Licenses/Certificates:
- Current and valid Arizona Occupational Therapy Assistant license issued by the Arizona Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners
- National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)
- Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association (AHA)
Skills:
- Strong clinical, organizational, and communication skills