OVERVIEW:
Occupational therapy practitioners focus on “achievinghealth, well-being, and participation in life and address training in self-careskills; training in the use of adaptive equipment, compensatory techniques, andenvironmental modifications; and behavioral and mental health issues.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Remediating instrumental activities of dailyliving (IADLs) related to the patientâ€'s discharge environment, such as preparing a meal or managing oneâ€'s home or finances
- Training in functional mobility, such as how toprepare a meal while using an ambulatory device
- Preparing the client and family for communityreintegration (as appropriate for the clientâ€'s discharge site) with activities such as public dining or emergency response management
- Assessing the need for and recommendingpotential home modifications and safety equipment to reduce barriers and promote safe functioning upon discharge
- Exploring adaptations and compensatorystrategies for return to volunteer or paid employment
- Assessing current leisure skills to determinewhether modifications are needed to continue participation and/or assisting with exploring new leisure pursuits
- Teaching functional mobility, including using anambulatory device and/or transfers to different surfaces, such as a bed, chair,toilet, or shower in order to perform self-care and personal tasks; andtraining in wheelchair mobility and safety appropriate for the residentâ€'s levelof cognition and perception.
- Remediating or enhancing IADLs, such as abilityto use the telephone or the emergency staff call system
- Teaching residents with cognitive and perceptualdeficits in compensatory techniques to maximize abilities in areas such asattention span, orientation, sequencing, and/or memory.
- Teaching residents with low vision how tomaximize their remaining vision and enhance safety through compensatory techniques, environmental modifications, assistive technology, and adaptiveequipment.
- Modifying the environment and adapting tasks forsafety (e.g., falls prevention, fatigue management)
QUALIFICATIONS:
EDUCATION /EXPERIENCE:
- Master of Science in Occupational Therapy froman accredited program
- Successful completion of National CertificationExamination
- 1 year of verifiable, supervised professionalexperience within the last 3 years
- Valid OT license in the state of practice