Clinician – Occupational Therapist Position Description

Fundamental job duties, responsibilities and essential functions for the Occupational Therapist – Clinician level include:

1. Clinical Decision Making

Evaluates and re-evaluates patients/clients using knowledge of the principles and methods of patient/client assessment and on-going reassessment to develop and modify effective assessments and treatment plans.

  • Uses available resources, including patient outcomes and past experiences, to guide patient/client assessment
  • Using multiple sources, comprehensively assesses patient/client factors that impact treatment plan and outcome
  • Selects appropriate assessment tests and measures to conduct patient/client assessment and re-assessment
  • Administers tests and measures accurately, following standardized criteria if applicable. Modifies tests and measures based on patient/client needs
  • Recognizes and incorporates precautions and contraindications for treatment
  • Identifies impairments and their influence on patient/client performance
  • Incorporates prioritized impairments to establish a therapy classification or therapy diagnosis that is specific to the patient/client
  • Makes accurate predictions about patient/client outcomes
  • With the patient/client and/or the patient/client’s family input, establishes goals that reflect anticipated outcomes
  • Based on assessment and on-going reassessment, develops a treatment plan by selecting and modifying appropriate interventions
  • In adherence to the profession’s Code of Ethics, uses ethical reasoning to make decisions based on objective principles and values
  • Is accountable and takes responsibility to identify and meet the needs of the patient/client. Seeks alternate strategies and/or other resources to make sure patient/client needs are met.

2. Performance Skills

Provides treatment interventions to patients/clients that are safe, timely, effective, efficient, patient-centered and equitable, in compliance with organizational policies and procedures.

  • Demonstrates competency in treatment skills by completing institutional and program-specific competencies and consistently meets annual requirements
  • Practices competently in accordance with professional practice standards and expectations
  • Demonstrates effective visual, tactile, and auditory skills to aid with patient/client assessment/reassessment and intervention
  • Provides effective therapeutic interventions that are patient centered
  • In accordance with patient/client need, selects treatment with consideration of resource utilization, including space, time, people and equipment
  • Identifies and provides appropriate strategies to educate patients so that environmental constraints, learning barriers, and cultural factors are addressed effectively
  • Facilitates patient/client responsibility for self-care
  • Progresses treatment interventions effectively
  • Interventions take into account behavioral, cognitive, and perceptual dysfunction and appropriate referrals to specialists are made, if needed
  • Delegates treatment to appropriate clinical staff and provides necessary supervision

3. Interpersonal Abilities

Demonstrates respectful interactions with patients/clients, colleagues, and others.

  • Advocates on behalf of patients to appropriate individuals and is aware of common patient needs for similar patient populations
  • Identifies cultural factors that may impact treatment and plan of care and identifies appropriate resources to meet cultural needs and maximize patient outcomes
  • Establishes and maintains rapport with patients by recognizing others’ values and adapting interactions to build trust
  • Works cooperatively with co-workers demonstrating respect, trust, and support
  • Consults with or refers to other colleagues/disciplines to meet patient/client needs
  • Incorporates critical feedback from supervisor and colleagues and works towards improving areas of weakness

4. Professional Behaviors

Acts professionally to all individuals and in all situations. Participates in organizational initiatives to improve patient care, practice, and institutional performance.

  • Participates in initiatives to improve organizational performance and actively provides feedback
  • Proactively identifies and communicates operational issues that impact clinical practice
  • Actively participates or provides feedback to a committee or task force that is focuses on improving clinical practice
  • Practices in ways that ensure patient care and administrative tasks are performed timely while remaining flexible with changes in schedule
  • Meets productivity expectations
  • Advocates for the profession internally and externally to UW Health
  • Written communication is timely, succinct and meets all regulatory and hospital standards
  • Identifies when communication is necessary and directs communication at the right time in the right place to the right person using an appropriate medium
  • Listens actively; verbal and non-verbal communication is respectful, empathetic and appropriate to individuals and groups

5. Administration/Education/Outreach/Research

Participates in at least two activities that extend beyond patient care, including administration, education, outreach, and research as defined in the Practice Model Continuum for the Clinician across all themes and sub-themes.

  • Utilizes resources and seeks appropriate assistance to incorporate evidence based practice into clinical decision making
  • Demonstrates a commitment to continued learning by attending continuing education, reviewing the literature, and seeking other resources
  • As opportunities exist, actively participates in student clinical education
  • Able to critically appraise journal articles or other sources of evidence
  • Participates in at least two activities that extend beyond patient care, including administration, education, outreach and research as defined in the Practice Model Continuum for the Clinician across all themes and sub-themes.