Occupational Therapist I - NICU

As a full time NICU Occupational Therapist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California you will evaluates and treats patients in accordance with the prescription of the physician. The Occupational NICU Therapist provides patient care consistent with Scope of Practice Standards and Code of Ethics; the Plan for the Provision of Care to Patients, the Plan for Corporate Compliance, the Performance Improvement Plan and Patient Education Plan. The Occupational NICU Therapist assists in the continuous quality improvement process and in the education and training of students and assists in divisional growth and cohesiveness to ensure a high quality of therapy care. The Occupational NICU Therapist provides care while maintaining safety of the environment, utilizing appropriate communication with sensitivity and attention to special populations, including patients with diverse cultural backgrounds, age, developmental issues and physical disabilities.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for leveraging talent, knowledge, skills, and a strong work ethic to consistently meet and exceed primary Key Performance Indicator (KPI) targets, while maintaining healthy work habits.
• Performs evaluations appropriate to established procedures. Ensures there is a prescription/order for all evaluations and uses relevant test and standardized measures congruent to best practice. Develops a comprehensive plan of care that is supported by evaluation findings and prognosticate patient outcomes/progress integrating all relevant factors. Manages the occupational therapy care of the patient and coordinates with others to ensure the patient receives the total care they need. Completes all required documentation in an accurate and thorough manner within the expected timeframes.
• Utilizes treatment intervention and strategies within the scope of practice and supported by established plan of care and integration of evidence-based practice to maximize patient outcomes tailored to specific patient populations.
• Provides patient education appropriate for patient population and identifies and facilitates patient discharge needs including documentation, communication with care team, and recommendation for follow-up services.
• Identifies safety concerns regarding patient population and institutes appropriate measures to provide a safe environment, including protection of self and others. Reviews identified risks and benefits of therapy and obtains consent from patient and/or caregiver.
• Provides individualized, patient-centered care with respect to personal, cultural, spiritual beliefs and preferences; age-related cognitive and psychosocial needs; social support needs; gender, sexual orientation, and economic background.
• Contributes ideas and suggestions to continuously improve processes, procedures, methods and productivity, and utilizes quality principles for continuous performance improvement.
• Participates in activities that promote professional identity within the clinical environment, the Cedars-Sinai environment and the community at large.
• Participates in professional development through clinical education, formal mentoring programs, further development of clinical and professional competencies, involvement in research and scholarly work.
• Effectively serves as a clinical instructor/mentor in accordance with specific discipline, regulatory and professional context.
• Participates in continuous learning and professional development and documents evidence.
• Contributes to conversations and activities that positively impact team dynamics, cohesion, and morale and promotes individual accountability.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited Occupational Therapy program required. Master's or Doctorate's degree is preferred.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Possess a current and valid Occupational Therapy License per California State requirements
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from American Heart Association or American Red Cross.
• Prechtl's General Movement Certification is highly desired.

Experience and Skills:

• No experience required. 
• Must be competent by virtue of training and/or experience to perform evaluations, design and implement treatment plans and provide education in a manner appropriate to the age of the patient.
• Experience and/or knowledge of assessment and intervention techniques in a medical and physical disabilities setting.
• Good knowledge of assessment and intervention in a medical and physical disabilities setting.
• Ability to address both development and feeding/eating/swallowing in neonates.
• Preference given to individuals with experience with complex neonates (i.e. ELBW).
• Preference given to individuals with Advanced Practice in Swallowing Assessment, Evaluation, and Intervention.

Physical Demands:

• Able to push, pull, lift or carry 0-35 pounds on an intermittent basis.
• Able to sit, stand, walk, bend, squat consistently in order to safely administer manual exercises and techniques.
• Able to assist patient with physical activities such as transfers, bed mobility, and ambulation.