Occupational Therapist

Role Overview

Occupational Therapist at American Hospital Dubai, providing clinical assessment, evidence-based treatment, and rehabilitation services to restore function and prevent disability.

Role Purpose

Conduct functional assessments and develop treatment plans using evidence-based techniques to promote improvement in activities of daily living and restore physical function while preventing disability. Treat and assist patients in preventing loss of mobility by developing fitness and wellness-oriented programs for healthier and more active lifestyles.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Assessment and Treatment

• Perform Joint Range of Motion (ROM) tests, manual muscle tests, and functional and coordination tests.
• Apply supportive and assistive devices accurately to avoid harm to patient or damage to equipment.
• Apply appropriate modalities at correct dosages, length, and intensity as deemed necessary by initial and ongoing patient evaluation.
• Provide treatments to patients as clinically indicated or prescribed by the attending physician or per the organized and structured patient care plan agreed upon by the physician and multidisciplinary team members.
• Perform all clinical procedures and treatments following evidence-based practice and clinical policies, procedures, and guidelines established by the department, hospital, Department of Health Authority (DHA), and Joint Commission International (JCI).
• Deliver maximum treatment capacity of 20 Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes, each representing a 15-minute treatment session: Occupational Therapy Consultation, Patient Initial Visit Assessment/Re-assessment, Patient Follow-up Visit Assessment/Re-assessment, Patient Athletic Training Initial Evaluation, Patient Athletic Training Follow-up Evaluation, Patient Self Care and Management Training, Patient Return to Community and Work Training, Patient Work Initial Hardening and Conditioning Training, Patient Work Follow-up Hardening and Conditioning Training, Patient Cognitive Development, Patient Therapeutic Exercises, Patient Active and Functional Training, Patient Assistive Device/Tools Training, Patient Wheelchair Management Training, Patient/Physiotherapist Assist to Perform Procedures, Patient Activity Assist or Patient Transfer Assist, Patient Orthotics Management, Patient Splints Preparation and Management.

Quality, Accuracy, and Compliance

• Prioritize tasks ensuring effective functioning of the unit.
• Follow chain of command in reporting incidents or concerns.
• Participate in the department's Quality Improvement (QI) activities.
• Comply with Hospital Policy and Procedure regarding safety, infection control, and security.
• Promote incident and customer complaint reporting to improve patient and family care.
• Ensure compliance with current American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) documents, including Standards of Practice for Occupational Therapy, Criteria, Guide to Physical Therapist Practice, Code of Ethics, and Guide for Professional Conduct.
• Ensure that services are consistent with the mission, purposes, and goals of physical therapy services.
• Ensure that services are provided per established policies and procedures.
• Ensure that the process for assignment and reassignment of physical therapist staff supports individual physical therapists' responsibility to their patients and meets patient/client needs.
• Review and update policies and procedures.
• Identify departmental performance improvement issues and participate in performance improvement activities, including chart reviews, revision of documentation forms, and workflow studies.
• Re-evaluate patient care services and programs and complete assignments in the departmental plan to improve services regularly.
• Participate in new program development, including developing treatment protocols for new patient populations.
• Identify needs for equipment repair or upgrade to maintain quality of care.
• Make recommendations for the selection and purchase of specific equipment and supplies.

Organizational and Leadership Skills

• Organize and maintain a patient caseload consistent with department productivity standards.
• Schedule inpatients and inform supervisor if problems arise related to delivery of patient care or caseload volume.
• Participate in staff meetings and unit projects and implement/evaluate creative approaches to meeting goals.
• Perform additional duties as specified by immediate supervisor.
• Act as a resource for Nursing and other healthcare personnel regarding departmental concerns relating to patient care.
• Act as a resource for problem-solving clinical issues.
• Provide or assist clinical support and supervision to other Junior Physical Therapists when required.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Occupational Therapy.
• Current license of practice in country of origin or country point of hire and/or Dubai Health Authority (DHA), United Arab Emirates.
• Minimum of two (2) years of clinical experience post-certification as an Occupational Therapist.

Skills & Competencies

• Excellent English verbal and written communication skills.