Occupational Therapist - Outpatient Supplemental
Harris Health is the public healthcare safety-net provider established in 1966 to serve the residents of Harris County, Texas. As an essential healthcare system, Harris Health champions better health for the entire community, with a focus on low-income uninsured and underinsured patients, through acute and primary care, wellness, disease management and population health services. Ben Taub Hospital (Level 1 Trauma Center) and Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital (Level 3 Trauma Center) anchor Harris Health's robust network of 39 clinics, health centers, specialty locations and virtual (telemedicine) technology. Harris Health is among an elite list of health systems in the U.S. achieving Magnet® nursing excellence designation for its hospitals, the prestigious National Committee for Quality Assurance designation for its patient-centered clinics and health centers and its strong partnership with nationally recognized physician faculty, residents and researchers from Baylor College of Medicine; McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth); and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
At Harris Health, we prioritize the well-being of our most valuable asset--our people--ensuring a culture of compassion, collaboration and excellence in serving Harris County's most in need. With integrity and accountability at our core, we commit to 'leading with love', embodying our dedication to quality care, education, and a steadfast respect for every individual's contribution to our mission.
JOB SUMMARY: Performs patient evaluations and administers interventions in department or ambulatory clinics, performs related duties such as departmental performance improvement, research, and clinical education, and serves as clinical specialist to staff. Also serves as resource to program or product line development. Adheres to practice act, regulations and rules, departmental policy and procedure, and documentation and reimbursement rules applicable to ambulatory care. Manages patient appointment system and work with front office on service authorization, certification and recertification. Demonstrates competence to adapt work and customer service to accommodate the unique physical, psychosocial, cultural, safety and other developmental needs of patients.
Position Summary:
The Outpatient Occupational Therapist provides comprehensive occupational therapy evaluation and treatment to patients with conditions affecting functional performance and independence. The therapist will primarily serve the outpatient population, with an emphasis on upper-extremity and hand rehabilitation, including orthopedic, neurological, and post-surgical conditions.
The ideal candidate will have experience in hand therapy and demonstrate strong clinical skills in evaluating functional limitations, developing individualized treatment plans, and collaborating with physicians and other members of the interdisciplinary care team.
Key Responsibilities:
- Perform comprehensive occupational therapy evaluations and develop individualized, evidence-based plans of care.
- Provide treatment for patients with hand, wrist, elbow, and upper-extremity injuries or conditions, including post-operative and non-operative diagnoses.
- Address areas such as range of motion, strength, coordination, edema, pain, sensation, scar management, and functional use of the upper extremity.
- Provide therapeutic exercise, activities, neuromuscular re-education, and functional training based on patient needs.
- Fabricate and/or fit custom and prefabricated orthoses/splints, as appropriate to the therapist's competency and scope of practice.
- Educate patients and caregivers regarding home exercise programs, precautions, activity modification, and strategies to maximize functional independence.
- Establish measurable functional goals and reassess patient progress throughout the episode of care.
- Collaborate with physicians, advanced practice providers, rehabilitation staff, and other members of the healthcare team to support coordinated patient care.
- Complete documentation accurately and timely in accordance with departmental, organizational, and regulatory requirements.
- Support patient access, efficient scheduling, appropriate utilization of therapy services, and departmental productivity expectations.
- Participate in quality improvement, patient experience, and departmental initiatives.
- Maintain professional competency through continuing education and evidence-based clinical practice.
Minimum Qualifications:
Graduate of an accredited Occupational Therapy program.
Current Occupational Therapist license or eligibility for licensure in Texas.
Current BLS certification, if required by the organization.
Ability to evaluate and treat a diverse outpatient population.
Strong communication, clinical reasoning, organizational, and interdisciplinary collaboration skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Outpatient occupational therapy experience minimum of 2 years.
- Experience treating hand and upper-extremity orthopedic conditions.
- Experience with post-operative hand and upper-extremity rehabilitation.
- Experienc