SENIOR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

Definition

Under the direction of a supervisory officer in an institution or agency provides training in occupational therapy to residents and may supervise employees assigned to the occupational therapist unit; does other related duties.

Examples of work

• Participates in planning programs of occupational therapy for the treatment for residents who are mentally ill, developmentally disabled, or physically handicapped.
• Provides instructions and assistance to residents in sewing, mending, embroidery, needlepoint, weaving, knitting, crocheting, basket making, rug making, woodwork, leatherwork, pottery and plastics and other arts and crafts.
• Observes residents at work and maintains records of individual patients' progress and behavior.
• Provides assignments and instructions to volunteers, Therapy Aides, Occupational Therapists, and other employees working in the occupational therapy unit, and supervises the performance of their work.
• Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for employee evaluations and for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting and/or disciplining of employees.
• Performs minor adjustments to equipment.
• Requisitions, stores, safeguards, records, and supervises the proper use of supplies.
• Assists and participates in staff in-service training programs.
• Coordinates the programs and activities of the occupational therapy unit with those of the other units of the hospital or institution.
• Assists with arrangements for exhibits and sales of articles made by residents.
• Participates in meetings.
• Participates as a member of an interdisciplinary team in the implementation of various programs designed to train residents to return to the community.
• Discusses the needs and progress of individual residents with the medical and psychiatric staffs and implements prescriptions for courses of occupational therapy.
• Prepares detailed reports and correspondence.
• Maintains records and files.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office or related units.
• May be required to engage in lifting clients when working in a setting which provides direct services to clients who are non-ambulant, or who are semi-ambulant and/or have severe physical handicaps.

Experience

Two (2) years of experience in occupational therapy.

License

Applicants must possess a license as an Occupational Therapist issued by the Occupational Therapy Advisory Council, New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, Department of Law and Public Safety.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of the principles, standards, practices, and techniques of occupational therapy.
• Knowledge of the types of developmental disabilities, and of the occupational therapy best suited to each.
• Knowledge of occupational therapy materials and equipment.
• Knowledge of the problems encountered in occupational therapy work.
• Ability to instruct developmentally disabled, physically handicapped and/or mentally ill residents in a variety of occupational therapy activities.
• Ability to provide assignments and instructions to subsidiary employees and supervises their work performance.
• Ability to physically lift, move and position clients as needed.
• Ability to plan, conduct and supervise the course of occupational therapy.
• Ability to observe the progress and reactions of individual residents.
• Ability to prepare reports, and correspondence.
• Ability to maintain records and files.
• Ability to train professional and non-professional employees and volunteer workers.
• Ability to confer and work with other members of the interdisciplinary team and other staff members.
• Ability to implement programs designed to return residents to the community.
• Ability to read and interpret laws, rules and regulations and apply them to specific situations.
• Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

Appointees to positions in day training centers and other educational facilities identified by the New Jersey Department of Education will be required to possess the appropriate Educational Services Certificate issued by the Board of Examiners of the New Jersey Department of Education.

<b>SPECIAL NOTE:</b> Ability to physically lift, move and position clients as needed.

Appointee will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.