Occupational Therapist (St. Louis)

This position will support the US Department of Veterans Affairs Critical Staffing Program.  The person in this position will represent International SOS and provide services outlined below: International SOS is looking for an individual who is an experienced Occupational Therapist to evaluate patients to identify challenges in performing daily activities and develop personalized treatment plans that promote independence and enhance quality of life. They use therapeutic techniques, adaptive equipment, and skills training to support individuals in achieving their personal and functional goals. Key ResponsibilitiesConduct therapy assessments/evaluations, develop and implement therapeutic treatment plans to patients with patients with diagnosis included but not limited to orthopedics, neurologic, cardiovascular and pulmonary, geriatric, wound care/lymphedema, chronic pain.  Perform occupational evaluations to include, not limited to formal Musculo-skeletal evaluation, general therapy screenings and prosthetic and adaptive equipment evaluation and assessment, aquatic therapy, wheelchair seating, pelvic health and positioning, home evaluations. Perform standardized neurological occupational therapy evaluations, activities of daily living evaluation, and adaptive equipment evaluation and assessment. Assess the patients physical, functional, psychosocial and emotional needs and use that information to develop a comprehensive and dynamic treatment plan which will enable each patient to achieve optimal levels of function in self-care, activities of daily living, work and leisure. Review paper and electronic records, note salient information, precautions, and contraindications. Confer with significant others and interdisciplinary team members. Oversee the direct patient care, selecting the most appropriate techniques to reach the established goals.   Provide clear verbal and written communication of patient progress including documentation of baseline measurements and ongoing assessment data.  Begin discharge planning at the time of admission and provide necessary home education programs and after care.  Assists in scheduling of patients, according to OT/PT treatment plan, while coordinating with the treatment team, with-in the facility.  Maintain flexibility of schedule, to support unscheduled patients, team consultations, and/or unforeseen situations.  Assess the patient prior to the development of treatment plans and goals.  Implement plans in accordance with the initial evaluation findings for treatment aimed at prevention, reducing disability or pain, restoring lost function and increase participation.  Provide therapeutic interventions, which may focus on posture, wheelchair mobility, gait, transfers, strength, endurance, balance, coordination, joint mobility and flexibility, and functional tasks at each visit.  Monitor the extent to which services have met the therapeutic goals relative to the initial and all subsequent assessments at each visit.  Determine the degree to which improvement occurs and, when appropriate, revises the treatment plan at each visit.  Provide education to patients, families, and/or significant others regarding deficits incurred and interventions to reduce the existing deficit, and management of any residual deficit in the resumption of life roles in the home and community environment at each visit.  Perform chart review prior to scheduled appointment and obtain a subjective history of patients assigned. Respects confidentiality and follows established policy regarding patient records.  Re-evaluates and upgrades treatment plan at intervals determine by department policy within 24 hours of patients visit greater than 90% of the time.  Document and code in electronic medical record an initial, progress, and final evaluation that includes measurable goals, goals achieved, treatment provided and functional outcomes using the department documentation policy guidelines.  Documents patient education according to VA policy. Observes VA policies and procedures relating to infection control, Fire and Safety, Information Security, Patient Safety (mandatory training).  Maintains current CPR Certification with recertification is at least 30 days prior to expiration.  Communicates, consults and works cooperatively with other team members to provide comprehensive patient care. Assists in the day-to-day operation of the department in routine housekeeping and equipment care. Consults with patients and their families regarding educating, training and advising them about their deficit/disability/disease. Teaches/issues home programs to improve/maintain achieved goals.  Use computerized patient record system and other computerized data systems.  Participates in team conferences, rounds, discharge planning meetings, specialty clinics, other assigned medical meetings, physical therapy/occupational therapy and in-services and meetings as directed.  Consults with other physical therapists/occupational therapists, other therapists and medical personnel, patients, family and/or caregivers to maximize benefit of therapy program. Manages time for scheduling patients to allow for unforeseen incidents or interruptions in planned program. Is flexible in treatment program; easily adapts to share in over-all section treatment program, as needed, by assisting in coverage for absent staff members, to ensure continuity of quality patient care.   Utilizes appropriate and qualified personnel as the situation indicates i.e., P.T./OT Aids, Rehab Techs, students, etc., or other persons with the appropriate expertise indicated for the task.  Employs motivational techniques to enlist patient participation in their treatment program. Assessment for the presence of physical/mental/cognitive deficits.  Determination of function related problems including rationale or basis for making the assessment. Development of Individual occupational therapy treatment plans. Use of data to implement individualized treatment program. Choice of therapy technique best suited to condition of patient to achieve maximum results.  Assessment of adaptive equipment needs, such as manual wheelchairs, splints, braces, and Durable Medical Equipment (DME).  Assessment of therapeutic activities and adaptations needed for patient’s success. Therapeutic exercises. Neuromuscular re-education.  Cognitive therapy.  Functional activity training.  Prevention/Treatment of UE pain. Adaptive equipment evaluations and prescriptions.  Wound/lymphedema.  Fabrication of splints. This list is non-exhaustive, and the role holder may be required to undertake additional duties that are not specifically listed above.