Intern - Occupational Therapy

Assesses patients' capabilities, needs, interests and goals and designs an individualized treatment program consistent with interdisciplinary team's goals in addition to providing Occupational Therapy specific evaluations as ordered by interdisciplinary team. In the mental health setting, the Occupational Therapist Intern will provide individualized and group treatment for patients to improve adaptive function in occupational performance categories which includes, but is not limited to social skills, leisure activities, cognitive abilities, daily living skills and perceptions of self-worth.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Completes individual evaluations and treatments as appropriate, and supported with a doctor's order, under the supervision of a licensed and registered Occupational Therapist.
• Assesses patient care needs, develops/implements a treatment plan in collaboration with an interdisciplinary team, continually reassesses treatment plan.
• Plans and participates in milieu and psychoeducational programming, including but not limited to teaching, skill building, therapy groups, social interventions, decision making skills, and general life management skills.
• Establishes therapeutic relationships with patients.
• Provides input to the interdisciplinary treatment plan while functioning as a team member.
• Responsible for monitoring and reporting to manager and unit leaders any potential risk to patient safety that could lead to an adverse outcome.
• Utilizes processes to conserve financial resources.
• Responsible for documenting and reporting all necessary information according to established policies and procedures.
• Creates a patient friendly environment by following quality improvement standards and maintaining professionalism.
• Is responsible to actively participate, as needed, in safety management, crisis intervention and prevention. This may include monitoring, assessment, verbal de-escalation, and emergency psychiatric and medical care.
• Works in various clinical settings with diverse patient populations.
• Serves on committees as needed.
• Promotes positive communication amongst all members of the treatment team.
• Collaborates in follow up with disciplinary action.
• Collaborate with AT Clinical Services Manager and Recreational Therapy Leads regarding internships and other departmental activities.
• Educate patients, family members, and other clinicians in how to provide for the needs of a patient during and after therapy. Recommend changes in patients' work or living environments, consistent with their needs and capabilities.
• Design and create, or requisition, special supplies or adaptive equipment to support patient specific interventions.
• Plan, organize, and conduct occupational therapy programs in hospital, residential, or community settings to help rehabilitate those impaired because of illness and/or injury.
• Responsible to role model the mission and values of the organization, presenting a professional image that is projected in appearance, attitudes and behaviors, time management and communication skills. Provides spiritual, emotional, social, mental and physical support to patients.
• Responsible to uphold the healing ministry of Christ through relationships that honor integrity, stewardship, empowerment, professional excellence, and the promotion of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Must maintain annual training and demonstrate competency within position.
• Continuous exposure to potentially adverse physical environment.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

What Does the Role Require?

• Enrolled in an accredited masters or doctoral degree program for Occupational Therapy, or similar degree, which leads to the ability to sit for the NBCOT Certification Exam.
• Exposure of relevant psychiatric/medical/clinical experience is helpful to plan and implement therapeutic, interactive education group sessions and interventions, though not required.
• Knowledge of current therapy principles in area of expertise associated with Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), psychoeducational interventions, expressive arts, and occupational therapies to plan, organize and implement a program of ancillary services.