Provides occupational therapy services to patients in a state institution, hospital, or agency.
Assesses, plans, organizes, and participates in rehabilitative programs that help build or restore vocational and daily living skills for persons with disabilities or development delays. Identifies symptoms of dysfunctions for which occupational therapy testing is needed, selects tests, and evaluates results. Instructs patients in therapeutic activities. Determines the interests, physical capacity and intelligence level of the individual that lead to the desired behavior change or improved functioning, and the conditions under which the individual can best develop. Supervises health professionals in conducting treatments. Determines methods of evaluation and compiles results. Identifies symptoms of dysfunctions for which occupational therapy testing is needed. Confers with administrative and medical staff on occupational therapy programs and goals. Develops educational programs for affiliating students and staff. Advises day care centers, group homes, and similar community organization staffs who seek information on developing and implementing an occupational therapy program.
Knowledge of occupational therapy principles and techniques applicable to the patient population served. Knowledge in the design of activities, self-help devices, and international treatment programs rehabilitatively specific in a variety of individual cases. Knowledge of functional anatomy, physiology, and skeletal biomechanics, whichever applicable to the area of work. Knowledge of the psychiatric aspects of various mental handicaps and disabilities. Ability to work effectively with all patients, patients' families, medical, nursing, and other staff members and to deal tactfully with the public. Ability to prepare and evaluate reports, medical histories, and departmental records. Ability to plan, conduct, and coordinate on-the-job training and in-service education programs for support personnel and volunteers. Ability to evaluate patient response and progress in the more difficult cases and to present evaluative reports in case staffings and multi-disciplined team meetings.
Licensed as an Occupational Therapist by the South Carolina Board of Occupational Therapy.
A bachelor's degree in occupational therapy and experience as an occupational therapist.