OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST 43162

10/1/91 B

This is the second class in the Occupational Therapist series. Positions in this class plan and develop occupational therapy treatment programs. Duties involve providing direct occupational therapy services to clients to include assessment; individual treatment planning; program planning and implementation; and related documentation and communication. This class is distinguished from the Occupational Therapist Assistant by the responsibility for designing and implementing individual client treatment programs; and from the Occupational Therapist Senior by its responsibility to provide comprehensive and specialized treatment approaches to clients.

Complexity of Work: Performs work of moderate difficulty in rehabilitation and training centers and hospitals. Specialty areas include acute care, head trauma, pediatrics, psychiatric, burns, rehabilitation, spinal cord injuries, and out-patient care. Assesses needs for treatment; plans and implements individual treatment programs for assigned clients in the areas of self-care, mobility, work, cognitive and perceptive motor functioning, psycho-social and communicative skills, and restorative and preventive intervention. Serves as a member of an interdisciplinary team.

Supervision Given: Supervision is typically not a factor; however, positions may provide technical guidance to Occupational Therapist Assistants. May provide clinical guidance to Occupational Therapy students.

Supervision Received: Receives general supervision from an Occupational Therapy Supervisor, and is free to develop own work sequences within established procedures and policies.

Scope: Work affects the development of client life skills from initial assessment and evaluation, planning and treatment design, treatment, and family consultation and training, to the point of restoration or modification of the client's behavior or skills.

Impact of Actions: Effective performance has significant effect on client development of independent life skills and may have long-term financial impact by enabling clients to become self-sufficient. Ineffective planning and treatment, could negatively affect the use of resources or time, increase cost of care, interfere with services provided by others, and both public and client goodwill.

Personal Contacts: Frequent internal and external contacts with clients, family members, and health professionals to plan and develop client treatment programs.

Knowledge: Working knowledge of the principles and practices of occupational therapy; and self-evaluation techniques.

Skills: None identified.

Abilities: Demonstrated ability to evaluate patients; design treatment plans; communicate effectively orally and in writing; and to fabricate splints and adaptive equipment.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDE*

Licenses or Certification: As specified in section 54.1-2400 of the Virginia Code.

Education or Training: Graduation from an accredited educational program in occupational therapy.

Level and Type of Experience: Some experience in occupational therapy services or successful completion of supervised internship.

An equivalent combination of training and experience indicating possession of the preceding knowledge and abilities may substitute for this education and experience.

This class was revised as a result of the statewide Classification Review/Specification Update Program, effective October, 1991.