Occupational Therapy Assistant

Class Concept

Employees in this class assist occupational therapists in the carrying out one to one (1:1) and group treatments, assist with evaluation of patients, documentation and implementation of a broad variety of occupational therapy programs and treatments in State hospitals, centers, and local agencies under direction and supervision of a Licensed, Registered Occupational Therapist (OTR) according to physician's orders. Employees assist occupational therapists in the assessment, planning and conducting of treatment programs and activities for a variety of patients. Treatments include but are limited to mental health recovery programming, coping skill development, sensory modulations, adaptive living, physical health/wellness, occupational skills including basic activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, education, work play, leisure, social interactions, technology training, violence prevention, restraint reduction, selfinjurious behavior reduction, monitoring of adaptive devices/tools, staff trainings, and return to community following prolonged institutionalization training.

Recruitment Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Basic knowledge of occupational therapy principles, techniques, methods, modalities and their proper application.
• Basic knowledge of functional anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, physical and mental conditions of patients.
• Working knowledge in Psychiatric diagnosis and working knowledge of cognitive behavior model and sensory modulation/integration models.
• Skill in general craft techniques for enhancement of physical and psychiatric functioning and skill in activity analysis, activity modification, and one-to-one activity selection/implementation.
• Skill in psychosocial group treatment planning, and implementation and skill in assisting with evaluations, treatment planning and treatment implementation.
• Skill in general fabrication and use of splints and adaptive devices.
• Skill in gauging patient progress through musculature, psychosocial, and sensory evaluation, goal attainments and other general patient progress and skill in writing accurate patient progress notes including basic use of computers.
• Ability to instruct unit personnel and lower level technicians in occupational therapist treatments.
• Ability to work effectively with patients of various ages, developmental and functional abilities, medical conditions, psychiatric conditions, mental competence and physical disabilities.
• Ability to effectively communicate patient progress to other interdisciplinary team members, such as, physical therapist, physicians, nursing staff, social worker, etc.

Minimum Education and Experience

Licensed to practice as an Occupational Therapy Assistant in the State of North Carolina and two years of related experience.