OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST II

DEFINITION

This is advanced professional occupational therapy and related supervisory work involved in the treatment of patients through occupational therapy media.

An employee of this class plans and organizes a variety of occupational therapy activities designed for the treatment of patients. Responsibility may include direction of a small occupational therapy program or supervision of part of a relatively large and complex program. Individual and group treatment activities are planned in cooperation with the medical and other professional staff and are administered in accordance with medical prescription. This employee may perform duties which are varied and diverse in supervising the activities and personnel in an occupational therapy program for a large and complex treatment unit/center. General supervision is given by a therapist of higher rank or other superior through progress reports, conferences, and inspections; however, considerable independence of judgment and discretion is exercised in organizing and carrying out specific phases of the program within the framework of general policy.

Any one position may not involve all of the specified duties or knowledges, skills and abilities, nor are the listed examples exhaustive.

EXAMPLES OF WORK

Plans and supervises a major phase of a program of therapeutic activity based upon medical prescription and correlated with patient's needs, abilities, and interests.

Plans and supervises the work of occupational therapists and assistants engaged in treatment of patients, individually and in groups.

Participates in carrying out treatment through instruction and assistance of patients in a wide variety of handicraft, recreational and/or daily living activities and in the operation of equipment commonly used in these areas.

Participates in meetings and conferences with the medical and professional staff concerning planning or modification of individual or group treatment plans.

Instructs and supervises student nurses and occupational therapy students in the theory and application of occupational therapy media and makes reports on progress of students.

Instructs and supervises the work of volunteers assigned to the occupational therapy unit.

Assists in educating health care personnel in the objectives of occupational therapy treatment.

Teaches simple craft and recreational techniques, independent living skills and use of adaptive equipment which can be used with patients on wards.

Observes and prepares reports on patient progress; maintains essential records and files.

Arranges for obtaining adequate supplies, equipment, and space for conducting therapeutic activities.

Performs other related work as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of professional occupational therapy and ability to apply them.

Considerable knowledge of the use of occupational therapy materials and equipment.

Considerable knowledge of the psychological problems and disease processes of the mentally and/or physically ill or disabled and ability to adapt treatment to individual and group needs.

Ability to coordinate and supervise the activities and personnel of an occupational therapy unit and to instruct subordinates in the principles and practices of professional occupational therapy.

Ability to make professional analyses of the therapeutic needs and progress of patients.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the professional staff and facility employees.

Ability to keep pertinent records and to make clear and concise reports.

Skill in a wide variety of handicraft and recreational activities and ability to operate related equipment.

Skill in activities of daily living training, splinting, muscle re-education and joint mobilization.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS

(The following entrance requirements are used to admit or reject applicants for merit system examinations, or may be used to evaluate applicants for employment in positions not requiring selection from merit system registers. When applicable, equivalent substitution will be allowed for deficiencies in experience or education.)

Two years of professional experience as an occupational therapist; and graduation from a four-year school of occupational therapy accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education. (Possession of a current Missouri license as an Occupational Therapist will substitute for the required education qualification.)

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT

Possession of a current license as an Occupational Therapist in the State of Missouri at the time of appointment.

(Rev. 4/1/99)