Occupational Therapist

GENERAL FUNCTIONS

SenseAbilities, is seeking professional assistance with the fulfillment of its mission to support children and their families by providing lifelong knowledge and skills with enthusiasm, passion, and creativity in the Middle Georgia area. A child's main job is playing and learning. An occupational therapist can evaluate a child's skills for play activities, school performance, and activities of daily living and compare them with what is developmentally appropriate for that age group.

According to the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), in addition to dealing with an individual's physical well-being Occupational Therapists address psychological, social, and environmental factors that may hinder an individual's functioning in different ways. This unique approach makes occupational therapy a vital part of health care for many children.

DESCRIPTION

Providing support and advice to the child’s parents and teachers (if applicable) about every angle of their care that has to do with the occupational therapy needs of the child

Adjusting communication pattern to the child’s age and level of understanding (This may sometimes include no-verbal means of communication like sign language)

Planning further treatment and review the child’s general progress

Working closely with doctors, family members, and teachers of the child by keeping them updated on his/her progress

Participating in multi-agency work groups to help in the development of clinical and policy changes

Assessing the child for adaptations and use of specialist equipment when necessary

Working within the policy that has to do with child protection procedures and training requirements

Identifying areas of improvement in the entire procedure and help manage adaptive changes in ways through which services are rendered to the child

Be continuously vigilant to ensure and maintain a safe environment for the child

EVALUATION / RE-EVALUATION

Therapist must complete evaluations/assessments to determine strengths and weaknesses of the child and/or to assist in program planning for children upon referral from child’s primary care provider (prescription will always be obtained from doctor)

Evaluations/assessments of each child must be based on informed clinical opinion (the integration of both quantitative and qualitative information about a child’s development and need for intervention services and supports)

The information gathered for any evaluation/assessment must be gathered through systematic observations, interviews, curriculum-based assessments, and the appropriate use of standardized assessment measures

TREATMENT

Therapist develops plans to helps the child achieve goals set forth in the treatment plan by providing neuromuscular re-education, therapeutic activity, therapeutic exercise, manual therapy, self-care/home management training, development of cognitive skills, sensory integration techniques, wheelchair management, and wound care

Therapist must communicate with the SenseAbilities health team through effective documentation

Therapist must attend (at least) two SenseAbilities sponsored activities per year (Attendance must include ‘Breakfast with Santa,’ and ‘Parent’s Night Out’.)

Therapist must attend all scheduled staff meetings

Therapist must implement the use of universal safety precautions when providing direct services with each child to assist in controlling the spread of infectious disease

REQUIREMENTS

Possess a Master's/Doctorate degree in Occupational Therapy

Possess an active license approved by The Georgia State Board of Occupational Therapy