PACE Occupational Therapist

## Overview **SUMMARY:** Under the supervision of the PACE Center Director, the Physical Therapist screens and assesses member functional status. Uses pertinent data to plan and implement appropriate interventions and communicates the same to the inter-disciplinary team to ensure the functional status of members is considered, including those members who are considered to be at high fall risk. Provides direct guidance to Patient Care Aides, Rehabilitation Assistants and other staff assisting with Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) members’ direct care. Assists in in-services to support staff education. Conducts group education to members as assigned. **SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES:** **PERFORMANCE AREA 1:** Works closely with the Interdisciplinary Team to: - Perform initial and annual screenings/assessments as assigned and uses independent judgment in recommendations for services. - Function as a member of the interdisciplinary team. Maintains regular attendance at, and participation in, interdisciplinary team meetings; collaborates on care planning and service allocation decisions. - Complete member evaluations as needed and uses analysis, interpretation and decision-making skills to independently develop a Physical Therapy plan of care. Evaluations include but are not limited to the following: gait assessment, balance, bed mobility, functional status, physical status, home safety and environmental assessments, restraint assessments, and wheelchair needs. - Participate in interdisciplinary care plan development and discharge planning for members. This involvement extends to other facilities caring for PACE members. - Provide regular updates to team on members’ status in therapy, including therapy discharge plans. - Provide treatment to members and implements physical therapy procedures consistent in achieving identified goals; grades activities to facilitate goals. - Assess need for adaptive and/or durable medical equipment (DME), makes recommendations to interdisciplinary team according to policy and assists with issuance of DME as indicated. - In conjunction with primary care and the interdisciplinary team, assesses the need for specialized shoes and prosthesis according to policy. Assesses newly issued orthotic shoes, braces and prosthetics for appropriateness and proper fit as indicated. - Perform minor equipment repairs as directed by competency requirement. - May assess the need for on-going skilled services and provides authorization for Physical therapies provided in a Nursing Home and with Contracted Agencies, following initial evaluation order by Primary Care. - Communicate as needed with utilization therapist and/or contracted therapists as directed by Rehab Therapy policy and updates the interdisciplinary team. - Develop and instruct other staff and/or caregivers on follow through programs to be carried out by individuals other than the Physical Therapist. - Assist in hiring, orientation and training of Rehabilitation Aides, including all areas of performance consistent with department policies. Reports directly to supervisor regarding these issues and provides input for performance evaluation. - Assist in hiring, orientation, training and provides professional supervision for PTA(s), in conjunction with Rehab Therapy leadership. Adheres to department policy and physical therapy practice laws on PTA practice and reports to direct supervisor regarding these issues. Provides ongoing education to PTA’s. - Delegate restorative care plans to Rehab Aides when indicated and in a timely manner. Reviews restorative care plans with the Rehab Aides as directed by department policy. - Review restorative care plans as directed by department policy. - Complete documentation according to policy. - Develop special programs according to member needs. - Participate in committee meetings as needed. - Advocate for community-based services and commitment to risk-based long-term care system to serve the frail elderly…