At Houston Methodist, the Lead Occupational Therapist Assistant (OTA) position is responsible for functioning as the lead person, generally for a specific area and/or shift. This position performs lead job duties, regularly leading projects and having specialized responsibilities as a regular part of their normal job responsibilities. In addition to lead responsibilities, the Lead Occupational Therapist Assistant position also performs duties and responsibilities of Sr Occupational Therapist Assistant and/or Occupational Therapist Assistant and serves as the liaison between management and staff for routine matters as the primary point of contact for resolving questions and issues for the assigned staff/area within the scope of their license, in order to achieve the delivery of exceptional patient care, optimal patient safety, quality outcomes, and customer service. Duties for this position may be varied and may include organizing work schedules, making work assignments, collecting/analyzing/reporting on data, developing and implementing quality improvement activities, training and mentor staff, participating in the development of skills and performance and providing feedback on performance and developmental needs, conducting quality audits of staff performance, leading and regularly performing special projects and other responsibilities of a similar nature and level.

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVED
Refer to departmental "Scope of Service" and "Provision of Care" plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

• Practices the Caring and Serving Model

• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)

• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience

• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Ensures teamwork, leading the team to be dynamic and a focused work unit, consistently offering assistance, and responding positively to requests for assistance. Collaborates with all members of the patient care team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent patient care information and data in a comprehensive manner. Role models to team members effective communication skills, assisting in their development of such skills.

• Orients, guides, and mentors team members consisting of Sr Occupational Therapist, Occupational Therapist Assistants, rehab technicians, students, and support staff.

• Effectively implements protocols and objectives with team members to result in optimization of staff performance, teamwork, patient safety, and customer service. Provides feedback to management on team member performance and conduct.

• Leads initiatives towards improvement of department scores for employee engagement, i.e., peer-to-peer accountability.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Serves as liaison between team members, and management, resolving routine matters for the assigned area/shift. Monitors and adjusts activities and schedules of the assigned team to ensure optimum patient throughput and patient experience. Assists management as needed in daily operations.

• Applies critical thinking in addressing challenging patient care situations. Works independently exercising independent judgment and execution of above average clinical skills on challenging patient care situations. Proactively identifies needs for adjustment/intervention for optimum patient care and experience.

• Implements treatment programs as established by supervising Occupational Therapist. Provides direct assistance to occupational therapists, performing treatments as ordered, assessing quality, acceptability, and reliability of results; takes corrective action and involves others as needed toward achievement of this end.

• Leads initiatives towards improvement of department score for patient satisfaction, through peer-to-peer accountability to service standards.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Ensures team members follow safety standards, policies and procedures established for the department and hospital. Conducts all OTA procedures accordingly. Implements education of department-based safety initiatives and standards of practice.

• Conducts quality audits on equipment, processes, outcomes and team member performance. Documents, develops and evaluates processes, procedures and outcomes. Identifies opportunities for corrective action and process improvement, providing recommendations. Contributes to meeting department and hospital targets for quality and safety.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provides and ensures accurate and complete documentation of treatment provided. Efficiently and effectively manages staff assignments and schedules.

• Provides leadership to team members on effective and efficient utilization of time. Uses resources efficiently, minimizing incidental overtime and prioritizing daily tasks to meet the labor productivity standards.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Identifies, develops, and leads assigned departmental projects and activities.

• Fosters a positive and constructive teaching environment by engaging students and co-workers (Sr Occupational Therapist Assistants, Occupational Therapist Assistants, rehab technicians, students, and support staff) in learning opportunities that are valuable and in alignment with business objectives. Develops skills of team members and continually assists with improving skills, performance and outcomes.

• Seeks opportunities to expand learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual development as a Lead Occupational Therapist Assistant and of leadership skills. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management. Completes and updates the My Development Plan on an ongoing basis.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION

• Graduate of education program approved by the credentialing body for the required credential(s) indicated below in the Certificates, Licenses and Registrations section

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Five years of experience as an Occupational Therapist Assistant

• Experience in a role with demonstrated progressive responsibility preferred

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• OTA - Occupational Therapy Assistant - Certified -State Licensure AND
• BLS - Basic Life Support (AHA)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through ongoing skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

• Demonstrates self-initiative and ability to work independently in operational task

• Adapts to multiple ongoing priorities with minimal supervision including, organizing workflow, and actively participating in problem solving

• Exhibits strong interpersonal and team player skills with all levels of the healthcare team and assures delivery of excellent customer service to all patients, visitors, physicians, and co-workers

• Possesses basic computer knowledge; operates multiple computer systems to include hospital/Rehab Services Information Systems and Office software to maintain patient and exam documents

• Capable of assuming responsibility for coordinating the activities of Rehab Techs and Occupational Therapist Assistants

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform No
• Scrubs Yes
• Business professional No
• Other (department approved) Yes

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* No

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area No
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital opened in December 2000 to serve the comprehensive health care needs of the growing community in Northwest Houston.  The 310 bed hospital has 23 operating rooms, and more than 2,100 employees.  Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital has been named a Magnet recognized health care facility by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program®. Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital is Northwest Houston's regional leader in robotic minimally-invasive surgeries and specializes in cardiology and cardiovascular services, neurology, neurosurgery, orthopedics and sports medicine, and comprehensive cancer services. Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital has a Breast Care Center, Cancer Center, Imaging Center, Infusion Center, Sleep Center, Surgical Weight Loss Center and operates the largest Childbirth Center in the greater Northwest Houston area.