With five decades of experience, Shepherd Center provides world-class clinical care, research, and family support for people experiencing the most complex conditions, including spinal cord and brain injuries, multi-trauma, traumatic amputations, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and pain. An elite center ranked by" U.S. News "as one of the nation's top hospitals for rehabilitation, Shepherd Center is also recognized as both Spinal Cord Injury and Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems. Shepherd is the only rehabilitation facility in the nation with an intensive care unit on-site, allowing us to care for the most complex patients and begin the rehabilitation process sooner. Shepherd Center treats thousands of patients annually with unmatched expertise and unwavering compassion to help them begin again.
Shepherd Center's culture is one of hope, humor, and hard work. You will enjoy career growth, strong relationships with co-workers , strong support from leadership, and fun activities that have ke pt over 1 2% of staff members working at Shepherd for more than 20 years .
The Occupational Therapist (OT) is responsible for assessment and treatment of assigned patients (adolescent, adult, and geriatric). The OT will collaborate with the patient/family to develop and implement a comprehensive treatment program. The OT will uphold the Shepherd Center standards and values through their interactions with staff, co-workers and others. Programmatic processes may vary across the center and the OT will meet required competency identified within each program.
Develops and implements treatment program to further patient's functional skills, which is then periodically reassessed and adapted.
Effective communication and team collaboration.
Professional behaviors and expectations
Helping patients to develop, regain, or maintain their ability to perform daily activities.
Plans and develops effective patient and family training to ensure proper patient care.
Makes recommendations for specialty services or consultations as needed.
Uses evaluation findings to determine appropriate discharge planning needs.
Effectively participates in intra-departmental staff meetings, and intra-departmental discipline/program committee assignments.
May participate in education programs by teaching and supervising students.
Participates in research projects as needed.
Completes and submits required documentation according to program guidelines.
Provides skilled interventions as outlined by AOTA
Willing to treat a diverse population and ready to learn and grow your clinical skills.
Participates in patient team conferences.
Facilitates patient goals through Goal Attainment Scaling.
Communicates with client and family to develop rapport, review POC, progress, and transition to next level of care.
Ensures appropriate recommendations are made for DME needs for safe transition.
Documents information clearly and completely utilizing correct forms/systems and in a timely manner according to Center policy.
Carries out interventions that are supported by evidence-based practice standards.
Will use resources and integrate technology for creative or innovative patient experience.
Performs consistent with Shepherd Center standards, clinical policies, and procedures.
Practices proper safety techniques in accordance with Center and departmental policies and procedures. Responsible for the reporting of employee/patient/visitor injuries or accidents, or other safety issues to the supervisor and in the occurrence notification system.
Actively participates in center-wide efforts that affect occupational therapy practice.
Establishes relationships with other occupational therapists.
Meets transportation and driving guidelines as needed.
Performs other duties as required/requested/assigned.
Required Minimum Education
A degree from an accredited program in occupational therapy.
Required Minimum Certification
BLS required.
Licensed to practice in the state of Georgia. (For provision of OT Telehealth, clinician must be licensed to practice in the state in which the client is residing).
Additional certification may be required dependent on the position.
Required Minimum Experience
Two (2) years recent clinical experience preferred.
Required Minimum Skills
Basic computer skills.
Must display knowledge of growth, development and the ability to obtain, interpret and disseminate information in terms of age specific patient needs (adolescent, adult and geriatric.
Demonstrates competency in time management, organization, prioritization and critical thinking by planning and organizing work assignments and prioritizing the specific needs of the patient.
Takes responsibility for growing professionally and seek opportunities for improving skills.
Communicates effectively using timely verbal, non-verbal and written communication.
Willingly adapts to changing work demands and work environment.
Demonstrates critical thinking skills and makes sound judgments to monitor and respond to patient needs or changes in condition.
Completes orientation and initial assessment of competency successfully by determined due date.
Completes mandatory education and annual competency assessment requirements by determined due date.
Preferred Qualifications
N/A
Physical Demands
Uses body, tools, or special devices to safely, effectively, and efficiently to move, guide, or place patients. Involves some latitude for judgement with regard to precision attained and the selection of what adaptive device(s) to utilize.
Ability to transfer and position patients, consistent with lifting up to 30 lbs.
Working Conditions
Normal patient care environment.
Some potential for exposure to blood and body fluids.
