Occupational Therapist

Job description:Job DescriptionJob Title: Occupational Therapist (OT)Department: Rehabilitation ServicesEmployee Status: Exempt Professional-Learned ProfessionalReports to: Senior Director of RehabilitationSalary: $80,000-$85,000 Per YearOccupational Therapy Definition:The primary goal of occupational therapy is to enable people to participate in the activities of everyday life (occupations). Occupational therapists achieve this outcome by enhancing the individual’s ability to participate, by modifying the environment, or adapting the activity to better support participation. OT’s work with children and adults of all ages, whose challenges may have been present since birth, the result of an accident, illness, aging or lifestyle. The OT will provide instruction and reinforcement of adaptive daily living skills to individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Individuals with other disabilities, injuries, and illnesses can also be addressed within the scope of VISIONS services.Occupational therapy services may include comprehensive evaluations of the client’s home and other environments (e.g., workplace, school), recommendations for adaptive equipment and training in its use, and guidance and education for family members and caregivers. Occupational therapy practitioners have a holistic perspective, in which the focus is on adapting the environment to fit the person, and the person is an integral part of the therapy team.Training is provided either in the consumer’s home or in an appropriate community setting as determined by the consumer’s needs. Individual or group lessons may include: kitchen skills, communication skills, financial management, home management, personal management skills, keyboarding and Braille. Lessons will incorporate the use of adaptive equipment and use of residual vision as appropriate. The OT may also assist the consumer in learning how to utilize low vision aids as employed for tasks.The OT will also work with children and young adults with severe multiple impairments for a one-week period every August at VISIONS Center on Blindness in Spring Valley.Monitoring consumers’ safety and progress and evaluating consumer’s environments are also essential components of the OT’s job responsibilities.Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesTo perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities perform the essential functions.Essential Duties and Responsibilitiesfor Occupational Therapistinclude:1. Provide instruction in vision rehab training skills including; meal management, home management, financial management, personal management, and communication skills. Training may be given either individually or in a group setting.2. Provide activities of daily living (ADL). ADL’s may include but are not limited to bathing, toileting, grooming, dressing and eating skills; transfers and positioning; environmental assessments; establish an activity/exercise program to increase participation in ADLS.3. The OT may be required to address balance and gait issues including providing instruction in all supportive ambulation devices (walkers, canes, crutches, rollators and wheelchairs.4. Recommend and order safety equipment such as tub seats and safety grab bars as needed.5. Advocate for procurement, repair and replacement of durable medical equipment on consumer’s behalf with vendors when appropriate.6. Provide consultation to vision rehabilitation professionals (VRT/O&M) when a consumer's physical or medical condition is an obstacle to increased independence.7. Inform the Senior Director of Rehabilitation of progress of consumer training and make referrals to other service providers.8. Create and maintain a schedule of appointments, seeing a minimum of three consumers a day four days a week, or the equivalent.9. Serve VISIONS’ consumers in 500 Greenwich St, Selis Manor and other locations as assigned.10. Document consumers’ progress through the use of standardized reports submitted within the time frame required by NYSCB and/or other funders.11. Close cases in a timely manner, within one quarter unless approved by the Senior Director of Rehabilitation.12. Submit all schedules, time sheets, vacation requests and expense reports in a timely manner.13. Participate in staff in service training and community conferences (when appropriate) to maintain proficiency in the use of methods and equipment to meet consumers’ needs. Participates in team meetings and makes referrals to other service providers.14. Serve VISIONS’ consumers in all 5 Boroughs of New York City; cases in Long Island or Westchester may occasionally be assigned if feasible to reach with public transportation.15. Maybe required to work evenings and weekends.16. Provide services for multiple impaired children during programs at VCB as assigned by the Senior Director of Rehabilitation.17. Other duties as assignedMinimum Qualifications· Degree in Occupational Therapy.· Demonstrate a solid framework of understanding the field of vision rehabilitation and demonstrate practical techniques for working with people who have partial sight or who are blind.· Demonstrate the ability to utilize logical thinking, problem solving, and creativity.· Competency in oral and written communication skills in English or English as a Second Language.· Computer/word processing skills or approved alternative method for completing reports and case notes.To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations will be made when requested to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.Job Type: Full-timeApplication Question(s):Do you have experience working with legally Blind Individuals?Do you have experience working with multiply impaired children?Do you have experience doing home therapy?Do you have experience conducting home safety evaluation?Do you have experience installing home safety equipment?Work Location: In person