Neonatal Therapist - Nicu Occupational Or Physical Therapist

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Join our team of specially trained therapists who help pediatric patients to facilitate safe discharge and to provide ongoing treatment to medically complex patients.

Tufts Medical Center provides supports a Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and serves our local communities of Chinatown and Downtown. Our neonatal therapists work with a multi-disciplinary team to provide services that support our high medical acuity and medically complex patients’ overall treatment programs.

We are seeking a self-motivated Occupational or Physical Therapist who is responsible for providing comprehensive, evidence-based care to join our team.

The position involves regular contact with patients and members of their families, referring physicians, nurses, social workers, and all allied health and support personnel within TMC. The staff member will act as a liaison with other disciplines for problem-solving issues that arise related to clinical therapy services.

II. PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Documents patient status, as required, in accordance with all professional and payor regulations. This includes, but is not limited to, daily treatment notes, discharge summaries, initial evaluations and updates, inter-agency referrals, home programs, school and follow-up recommendations.
• Maintains collaborative, team relationships with peers and colleagues in order to effectively contribute to the working groups achievement of goals, and to help foster a positive work environment
• Recommends adaptations of post-discharge environment including home, school or and/or work based on individual's status at discharge and long range goals.
• Participates in instruction, supervision and evaluation of Level 1 and Level 2 fieldwork students.
• Determines need for, provides item(s) or resource, instructs patient/staff/family in use of environmental adaptations, adaptive equipment and high technology systems. Maintains awareness of state-of-the-art technology and referral resources appropriate to current caseload.
• Participates in planning and implementation of all departmental promotional activities.
• Establishes short and long term goals in collaboration with the patient, the family and/or other members of the patient's health care team; plans and implements individualized treatment programs based on evaluations; provides or arranges for outpatient follow-up as appropriate; terminates therapy when patient status dictates.
• Provides oral reports to patients, team, and family as required.
• Records daily patient attendance and charges for treatment and equipment in a timely fashion.
• Instructs and supervises O.T. aides or C.O.T.A.s in specific aspects of patient care.
• Evaluates patient's physical, self care, perceptual motor, cognitive, emotional, pre-vocational and interest levels, as appropriate to area of assignment, through formal and informal testing and observation.
• Maintains awareness of payment source to provide necessary justification and resources for recommended treatment and/or equipment.
• Monitors physician referrals for content and accuracy, consulting with physician for clarification, prior to commencing prescribed treatments. Checks for all required prior approvals before treating any patient.
• Designs, fabricates and fits customized upper extremity orthoses as medically indicated through physician referral.
• Assumes appropriate share of departmental responsibility for attending and/or providing inter- and intra-departmental in-services, orientations, lectures and tours.
• Performs other similar and related duties as required or direct
• Consults at specialized clinics such as rheumatology, M.D., limb enhancement, or others, as appropriate to assigned responsibilities.
• Contributes to development of protocols, policies and future planning for the department.

• Documents and bills accurately and reflects services provided.
• Performs comprehensive evaluations and assessment for neonates.
• Works directly and collaboratively with the interdisciplinary health care team, the patient, and the patient’s family to promote maximum level of patient safety and independence in discharge planning.
• Responsibilities include:
• Sets realistic short- and long-term goals and plan of care related to patient’s occupational therapy needs within the musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiopulmonary, and integumentary systems.
• Provides comprehensive evaluation and assessment of patient’s physical, cognitive and self-care abilities.
• Works closely in therapy triad (SLP, OT, PT) and communicates with interdisciplinary team as well as patient’s families.
• Provides inpatient services in the neonatal ICU, and outpatient in the NICU follow-up clinic.

A. JOB KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Must be willing and able to work effectively with a wide variety of acute and long-term physical disability patients.
• Must be physically capable of treating independently at bedside in a variety of settings including intensive care units. Must be able to lift a minimum of 25 lbs.
• Must demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to assess the needs of patients of all age populations in order to provide care appropriately.
• Must be able and willing to teach on a one-to-one or a group basis.
• Must demonstrate interpersonal skills including communication, flexibility, independence, teamwork and maturity to operate effectively within a multi-disciplinary setting.

• Additional skills preferred:
• Has the medical literacy to perform complex chart reviews and determine appropriateness for therapy intervention.
• Capable of treating independently in a variety of settings.
• Problem solves effectively with interdisciplinary team, patients and their families for optimal discharge planning of diverse patient populations.
• Has ability to manage and be flexible prioritizing patient caseload.
• Demonstrates flexibility in cross-coverage of various diagnoses based on staffing and patient census.
• Willing and able to work effectively with a wide variety of patients with acute and long-term disability.

B. EDUCATION:

• Must have comprehensive basic professional occupational therapy training, normally acquired through completion of an accredited program leading to a Bachelor of Science degree or the equivalent

C. EXPERIENCE:

• 2 years of pediatric clinical experience preferred with preference for experience in acute medical hospital, NICU.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience, which provides proficiency in the areas of responsibility listed above, may be substituted for the above education and experience requirements.

D. LICENSES, ETC.:

• Must be certified by the Board of Registration of the American Occupational Therapy Association. Must have current Massachusetts license.
• For Occupational Therapists, Registered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapists.

IV. AGE SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES:

Possesses and applies the skills and knowledge necessary to provide care to patients throughout the life span, with consideration of aging processes, human development stages and cultural patterns in each step of the care process. This includes:

• Knowledge of growth and development
• Provide age specific communication
• Ability to interpret age specific data and response to care

V. WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Prolonged, extensive, or considerable standing/walking
• Lifts supplies and equipment
• Lifts, positions, pushes and or transfers patients

Tufts Medicine is a leading integrated health system bringing together the best of academic and community healthcare to deliver exceptional, connected and accessible care experiences to consumers across Massachusetts. Comprised of Tufts Medical Center, Lowell General Hospital, MelroseWakefield Hospital, Lawrence Memorial Hospital of Medford, Care at Home — an expansive home care network, and large integrated physician network. Please note that effective October 1, 2021, as a condition of employment at Tufts Medicine, all employees and new hires must have received their complete dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, unless they have been granted an exemption. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity and inclusion at Tufts Medicine. Tufts Medicine does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, national origin, gender identity and/or expression, marital status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation by emailing us at [email protected].