Occupational Therapist

MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Specific

Clinical Competencies and Duties

In Occupational Therapy services, the Occupational Therapist must have the general clinical competences below (though not exclusive to this list) and had attained the specific area of competency for their specialty area. Depending on current rotation, the Occupational Therapist must also develop specific competencies in the management of patients in one of these disciplines:

1. Community
2. Geriatrics
3. Hands
4. Neurology
5. Orthopedics
6. Weight Management
7. Others

He/she must be independent in the assessment, diagnosis, and management of complex cases and know when to seek guidance proactively when required.

Specific Skills and Competency

1. 1. Possess reasonable clinical reasoning.
   2. Possess skills and knowledge at entry level.
   3. Able to develop occupational therapy intervention plan and implement intervention strategies.
   4. Document patient records accurately.

Specific Knowledge in different disciplines

1. 1. Community Occupational Therapy
   2. Geriatric Occupational Therapy
   3. Hand Occupational Therapy
   4. Neurological Occupational Therapy
   5. Orthopaedic Occupational Therapy
   6. Weight Management

Administrative Competencies and Duties

1. In the course of provision of Occupational Therapy services, staff must:
   1. Develop skills and competency in self-management and compliance to medico-legal and governance guidelines.
   2. Be responsible for the caseload allocated and provide coverage as necessary.
   3. Maintain accurate, up-to-date medical reports in continuity of care.
   4. Be familiar with and adhere to basic tenets of JCI.
   5. Ensure proper charging procedures.
   6. Have basic IT skills in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
   7. Be able to use hospital electronic medical records applications.
   8. Maintain statistics on workload as needed by the Rehabilitation department and Hospital.
   9. Coordinate processes and flow within teams, which include understanding each area’s operations.

Demonstration of Teamwork and Professionalism

1. Occupational Therapists are members of the multi-disciplinary team. Staff must:
   1. Demonstrate esprit de corps and professionalism to ensure that the desired outcomes are attained.
   2. Engage actively in patient and care-giver education.
   3. Proactive cross-coverage of colleagues in team to even out workload (e.g. if own caseload cleared ahead of time.
   4. Provide after hours and on-call therapist services as required.
   5. Assist with care and maintenance of equipment, materials and resources in the Department/ Hospital.
   6. Attend department meetings, ward rounds and other professional meetings as required.
   7. Liaise with and maintain good working relations with other healthcare professionals within the hospital and with external organizations
   8. Demonstrate/portray professional behaviour including respect for patient privacy, personal hygiene and to be a role model to subordinates.
   9. Be involved in department activities e.g. Fitness Challenge/ Hospital activities as and when required.

General

Continuous Education

1. Take ownership of personal continuous professional development of skills and knowledge in Occupational Therapy, which includes independent reading and attending relevant courses and talks.
2. Contribute to continuous professional development of skills and knowledge in other colleagues, which includes provision of in-services, and participation in peer reviews/ audits.
3. Assist with on the job training of therapy assistants
4. Achieve at least 100 hrs of training per year as assigned by Training Centre.

Supervisory Role

1. Assist with supervision and perfromance related for Therapy Assistant.
2. Assist to supervise personnel attached to the department as and when required.

Quality Improvement

1. Adhere to patient quality service.
2. Contribute actively to departments or other service quality improvements projects and initiatives.
3. Report to Senior Occupational Therapist/ Manager, seek advice and provide feedback on service delivery and improvement.

Research Contribution

1. Perform other duties assigned by Supervisor/ Manager.
2. Occasional contribution to team/ departmental projects outside of office hours as determined by reporting officer.
3. Adhere to the policies and procedures of the Hospital and Department.

Others

1. Perform other duties assigned by Supervisor/ Manager.
2. Occasional contribution to team/ departmental projects outside of office hours as determined by reporting officer.
3. Adhere to the policies and procedures of the Hospital and Department.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Education / Training / Experience

1. Recognized Diploma or Degree in Occupational Therapy.
2. Non-recognized Diploma / Degree in Occupational Therapy with relevant qualifications e.g. Qualifying Exams.

Professional License

1. Registered with Allied Health Professional Council (AHPC).
2. Member of the Singapore Occupational Therapist Association or equivalent (highly recommended).