Occ Therapist in Behavioral Health

To be part of our organization, every employee should understand and share in the YNHHS Vision, support our Mission, and live our Values. These values - integrity, patient-centered, respect, accountability, and compassion - must guide what we do, as individuals and professionals, every day.

At Bridgeport Hospital, we are committed to providing quality medical care and treatment that is coordinated and centered on the patient's specific needs. We strive to achieve benchmarks as a Patient Centered Medical Home and provide health care in a setting where patients are at the center of their care team. All employees of Bridgeport Hospital are part of the patients care team and contribute to the team approach of promoting access, continuous, comprehensive care and work to provide quality improvement in the care provided to their patients.

EEO/AA/Disability/Veteran

1. Clinical

1 .1 Able to interpret physician referrals to perform basic clinical evaluations.

1 .2 Demonstrates technical skill and accuracy in performing evaluation, treatment planning and providing therapy, performed consistent with demonstrated knowledge of developmental stages and age-specific criteria.

1 .3 Develops population specific treatment programs that reflect compliance with established clinical protocols where appropriate, monitors patient responses and terminates treatments when appropriate.

1 .4 Sets functional, measurable and appropriate goals based upon evaluation findings, and which reflect patient/family involvement.

1.5 Provides comprehensive and appropriate patient and family education.

1.6 Constructive, collaborative participation in team conferences/rounds/clinics/discharge planning.

1.7 Initiates discharge planning and makes appropriate recommendations to community resources.

2. Comprehensive Patient Care

2.1 Utilizes assistant and support staff and volunteers appropriately and safely in the delivery of patient care.

2.2 Appropriately addresses patient care handoff to ensure continuity of care during scheduled time off.

2.3 Demonstrates ability to function as collaborative interdisciplinary team member, communicating findings and care plan consistently. Follows through with requests for change in treatment plan, re-evaluation of patient status, and completion of discharge reports and notes.

2.4 Serves as contact person for family, referral source, funding source and other outside agencies, as required.

2.5 Assures that discharge planning and arrangements for necessary follow up services are in place, per department standards and within established timeframes.

2.6 Initiates interdisciplinary referrals when appropriate, as determined by review of reports, feedback from other disciplines, and utilization review.

3. Clinical Supervision

3.1 Appropriately delegates responsibility to therapy assistants, clinical students and support staffs, and maintains an appropriate and compliant level of clinical supervision and documentation review/co-signature.

4. Documentation

4.1 Maintains concise and accurate patient care documentation and billing in accordance with system, hospital and department policy and regulatory requirements.

4.2 Re-evaluates and updates patient goals and plans as necessary, based on patient's response to treatment.

5. Education

5.1 Demonstrates participation in professional development and stays informed of current developments in the field by attending department in-services, and seeking opportunities to expand own knowledge of the profession and related fields.

5.2 Updates assessment and therapy procedures to integrate newly acquired information and learning.

5.3 Assists with orientation/onboarding, education and guidance of therapy staffs, support staffs, students, and volunteers as appropriate.

5.4 Meets required educational contact hours to maintain Connecticut state licensure, and consistently maintains documentation of all completed continuing education.

6. Administration

6.1 Uses equipment in a safe and effective manner. Reports malfunctioning or missing equipment to Supervisor and takes corrective action to remove equipment from use.

6.2 Maintains safe and orderly work environment.

6.3 Maintains a high standard of professional accountability with respect to safety, efficiency, effectiveness, ethics and legal issues, and promotes regulatory compliance in daily work and actions.

6.4 Demonstrates compliance with all hospital and department policies, procedures, standards and regulations.

6.5 Demonstrates consistency and timeliness with non-clinical tasks, and plans and organizes daily schedule for optimal time utilization.

6.6 Participates in department Quality Assurance activities.

6.7 Manages patient caseload that reflects productivity standard of department/unit.

6.8 Assumes other clinical responsibilities as assigned, and consistently seeks out other professional duties.

6.9 Provides weekend and holiday coverage as per schedule.

6.10 Participates consistently in team and departmental meetings. Reports pertinent information on timely basis.

6.11 Submits payroll information, reimbursement reports and day off requests according to system/department standards within established period.

EDUCATION:

Graduate of an accredited program in Occupational Therapy or equivalent and B.S. degree

LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION:

Must maintain a current unencumbered license or temporary permit to practice as an Occupational Therapist in CT. All newly hired employees must have current BLS certification or obtain within two months of hire.

EXPERIENCE:

No experience required. One (1) to two (2) years' experience in an academic/large medical center based practice preferred. Experience working with children and/or adults depending on the assigned setting. Clinical experience with a variety of diagnoses to include post-surgical, developmental, neurological, genetic, oncologic, and traumatic.

SPECIAL SKILLS:

The individual should demonstrate age-specific knowledge in basic anatomy and physiology, psychology and Occupational Therapy theory, evaluations, and treatment techniques to be applied to a diverse patient population. Observation skills, communication skills (both verbal and written), and an ability to work with patients, families and other providers in a synergistic manner are essential. The individual should also be willing and able to assume increased responsibilities as required.

Two-year grant funded position with primary role supporting adolescents in Psychiatric Emergency Services. Provides critical biopsychosocial OT assessments for patients admitted to psychiatric emergency services, and inpatient psychiatric units. Clinical group experience in behavioral health is required. Ideal candidate will be a strong communicator, proactive problem solver and highly flexible interdisciplinary team player who is able to independently work in highly acute environments.

Responsible for the evaluation and treatment of patients in a variety of inpatient and /or outpatient areas, as assigned. Collaborates with interdisciplinary treatment team members. Performs other clinical, teaching and administrative duties as required. Serves as positive ambassador for all Rehabilitation Services.