Definition

Performs professional therapeutic work in instructing, evaluating, and supervising patients in occupational therapy activities.  Assesses patients, plans, and implements treatment; completes related documentation.

Distinguishing Characteristics

First-level class of the series.  Under general supervision, assesses patient needs and confers with other staff to plan occupational therapy program.

Typical Work

Evaluates and treats patients with a variety of physical and mental disabilities to achieve maximum functional capacity; 

Confers with medical and other staff members to determine occupational therapy program for individual patients; selects situations or activities which require desired motions or actions or help modify behavior and teaches the skills necessary to the activity; 

Reports data in both written and oral form following policies and procedures; 

Participates as a member of an interdisciplinary team, patient, and family in developing treatment goals and evaluating patient progress;  

Provides treatment and training to increase daily living skills; 

Maintains service related records; adheres to documentation requirements for reimbursement purposes; 

Visits community, home, and work site to evaluate and recommend modifications; 

Adapts and fabricates basic orthotic devices and therapeutic equipment; 

Recommends and issues occupational therapy materials and equipment; 

Maintains a clean, safe working environment; 

Performs related duties as required; 

May supervise and instruct occupational therapist trainees, occupational therapy assistants, and other personnel in performance of therapeutic activities.

Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of: skeletal, muscular, and neuro‑anatomy; mental illness; principles, materials, modalities, and equipment of occupational therapy; various handicrafts; safety precautions; evaluative report writing. 

Ability to: plan and modify projects to fit particular disorder of patient; gain cooperation of patients; establish and maintain effective working relationships with physicians and other staff.

Legal Requirement(s)

Licensed by the state of Washington as an Occupational Therapist or has a valid probational certificate issued by the state of Washington to practice occupational therapy.

Desirable Qualifications

See legal requirements.   

Graduation from an accredited Occupational Therapy Program and successful completion of American Occupational Therapy certification examination.  Current Washington State license to practice as an Occupational Therapist or a valid probational certificate issued by the state of Washington to practice occupational therapy. 

OR 

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

Class Specification History

New class, consolidates 6140 Occupational Therapist I, 57200 Occupational Therapist 1; adopted May 10, 2007, effective July 1, 2007.
(04/12/2010) Correction:  Desirable qualifications was left off during spec formatting updates back in July 2007—added them back in.