Lead Occupational Ther KAL in Kalamazoo, Michigan at Beacon Health System

Reports to the Therapy Manager. Performs the duties of their clinical licensure . Serves as a resource to staff, rehabilitation teams (therapy and nursing), as well as leadership. Participates in departmental programs and activities and serves as a role model of quality clinical practice. Responsibilities will be divided between clinical patient care time and administrative duties. Administrative duties can include, but are not limited to triaging patients/schedules, assigning shift leaders as necessary by schedule, meeting representative on interdisciplinary teams, new product support, initial point person for physician needs/concerns, and assisting our educator.

MISSION, VALUES and SERVICE GOALS

• MISSION: We deliver outstanding care, inspire health, and connect with heart.
• VALUES: Trust. Respect. Integrity. Compassion.
• SERVICE GOALS: Personally connect. Keep everyone informed. Be on their team.

Assures that quality patient care is provided by:

• Recognizing potential and actual consumer concerns in a timely manner, investigating to define problem, intervening when immediate attention is needed and reporting results to the appropriate person.
• Talking and listening to patients, families and members of the health team.
• Reviewing, interpreting and administering Hospital, Unit and Departmental procedures to staff, patients and others.
• Contributing to the peer review process.
• Part of the interview team for new candidates

Manages resources by:

• Reviewing the number of skilled persons on duty, making appropriate staffing adjustments and triage of patient care needs.
• Assigning staff to appropriate areas based on changing census for acute care, as well as scheduling for rehab admits and the daily rehab schedule for inpatient rehab.
• Assigning shift leaders on weekends, if not personally working.
• Maintaining clinical skills and providing direct patient care depending on staffing.
• Resolving short-term staffing issues, as well as recommending strategies to improve staffing.
• Communicating problems or concerns with Management.
• Collaborating with Departmental Leadership on performance appraisals.
• Providing coaching and direct assistance to co-workers, orienting and training new personnel (including temporary staff) to duties.

Performs professional practice by:

• Takes ownership and pride in their job.
• Respect the dignity and rights of the patient regardless of socioeconomic status, personal attributes, or nature of health problem.
• Maintains each patient's right to privacy by protecting confidential information unless obligated by law to disclose the information.

Performs other functions to maintain personal competence and contribute to the overall effectiveness of the department by:

• Serving on appropriate committees, councils or tasks forces as requested.
• Completing other job-related duties and projects as assigned.

Complies with the following organizational requirements by:

• Attends and participates in department meetings and is accountable for all information shared.
• Completes mandatory education, annual competencies and department specifics education within established timeframes.
• Completes annual employee health requirements within established timeframes.
• Maintains license/certification, registration in good standing throughout fiscal year.
• Direct patient care providers are required to maintain current BCLS (CPR), and other certifications as required by position/department.
• Consistently utilizes appropriate universal precautions, protective equipment, and ergonomic techniques to protect patient and self.
• Adheres to regulatory agency requirements, survey process and compliance.
• Complies with established organization and department policies.
• Available to work overtime in addition to working additional or other shifts and schedules when required.

ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Associate complies with the following organizational requirements:
  • Attends and participates in department meetings and is accountable for all information shared.
  • Completes mandatory education, annual competencies, and department specific education within established timeframes.
  • Completes annual employee health requirements within established timeframes.
  • Maintains license/certification, registration in good standing throughout fiscal year.
  • Direct patient care providers are required to maintain current BCLS (CPR), and other certifications as required by position/department.
  • Consistently utilizes appropriate universal precautions, protective equipment, and ergonomic techniques to protect patient and self.
  • Adheres to regulatory agency requirements, survey process and compliance.
  • Complies with established organization and department policies.
  • Available to work overtime in addition to working additional or other shifts and schedules when required.

Education and Experience:

• The knowledge, skills and abilities as indicated below are normally acquired through the successful completion of a occupational therapy degree.
• Requires a license to practice in the state of employment.
• A minimum of one year of recent clinical experience.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Requires the ability to effectively use all evaluation tools, modalities, ambulation aids and exercise equipment typically used in the therapy department.
• Demonstrates the interpersonal skills needs to communicate in a tactful, sincere, effective manner with patients, families, healthcare professionals, leadership, and various hospital staff.

Working Conditions:

• Works in a patient care environment requiring physical exertion, frequent changes in the job demands, and certain undesirable patient care activities.
• May be exposed to biohazards and normal hazards encountered in a community environment.

Physical Demands:

• Requires the physical ability, stamina, visual acuity, and manual dexterity (i.e. to stand/walk for prolonged periods of time, push wheelchairs/carts, transfer, lift or pull patients or supplies, lift and transfer patients, provide CPR, etc.) to perform the essential functions.