JOB SUMMARY

The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) is an integral member of the Vision Rehabilitation Services (VRS) team, who enhances Lighthouse Louisiana’s capacity to serve clients across their lifespan. The OTA works in collaboration with the Occupational Therapist Vision Rehab Specialist (OTVRS) to assist adults in our Lighthouse community by helping them adapt to changes in their vision, facilitating opportunities for independence in their home, work, and community environments. The OTA serves as the initial point of contact and coordinator for all adults participating in our Older Blind (OB) programs. The OTA also works with the Occupational Therapy Early Intervention Specialist (OTEI) to implement customized interventions for Lighthouse Steps Program clients, enhancing the capacity of families to care for the health and development of their children and ensuring the youth of the Lighthouse community have the foundational skills necessary to optimize participation in home, school, and community activities.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

The Occupational Therapy Assistant will be responsible for the following core job duties:

1. Provide specialized occupational therapy interventions, including but not limited to home visits, to adult clients receiving Vision Rehabilitation Services (VRS) to enhance occupational performance in accordance with each client’s plan of care (POC) and under the supervision of an occupational therapist.
2. Develop and maintain expertise in Access Technology (i.e., iDevices, magnification devices, assistive software/hardware, Optical Character Recognition devices, and specified emerging technologies) to support all program needs.
3. Serve as initial point of contact for all adults referred to the OB program. Conduct functional screenings to gather the data required to identify each client’s needs and interests for training and to make appropriate OB program referrals.
4. Provide individual instruction, including home visits, and group instruction to clients who qualify for OB Services, in accordance with established program curricula.
5. Implement OB service plans for clients during assigned group trainings, schedule OB individual training, and complete notes and discharges of OB clients as appropriate in a timely manner.
6. Collaborate with the VRS team to provide opportunities for family and friends of clients who have vision loss to develop supportive skills for encouraging independence and optimizing client safety.
7. Provide client-centered, occupation-based OT services and support to children ages 0 to 3 under supervision of the Occupational Therapy Early Intervention Specialist (OTEI) POC. Collaborate with the transdisciplinary early intervention team, families, childcare providers, and educators who implement Individual Family Service Plans and intervention plans.
8. Provide OT intervention under supervision of OTEI’s plan of care to children ages 3-21 who have vision impairment to enhance their participation in their activities of daily living (ADLs). Work collaboratively with Lighthouse team members across service departments to ensure quality service and optimal outcomes for all youth served in Lighthouse programs.
9. Submit progress summaries, discharge summaries, daily notes, and billing documents by procedure to support reimbursement from all funding sources. Accurately document all services as determined by department policy to ensure timely invoicing and to maintain good communication with Lighthouse staff, referring Physicians, and contracting agencies.
10. Contribute to team effort in planning, executing, and attending seasonal Lighthouse youth events.
11. Collaborate with the vision rehabilitation team to optimize communication regarding client needs and plans for services across all Lighthouse programs. Meet with the supervising OT weekly to discuss active clients and receive guidance on intervention strategies.
12. Participate in education and advocacy events to promote inclusion for people with vision loss and engage with the community at outreach events to promote Lighthouse programs.
13. Collaborate as a member of the Sense Abilities team to advocate for blind and low vision accessibility by conducting environmental assessments for public venues, educational presentations, and interactive training opportunities to staff and volunteers of partnering organizations.
14. Supervise OTA students as determined by contract guidelines to ensure successful internships and to grow the field of Vision Rehabilitation. Support OT staff by providing observation opportunities to OT students, as needed.
15. Foster a team environment with effective communication and a coordinated approach to providing vision rehabilitation services. Follow all Lighthouse standard operating procedures.
16. Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Vision Rehabilitation Services

JOB QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

1. Education: Occupational therapy assistant degree with license to practice in Louisiana as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) required.
2. Special Knowledge/Skills: Knowledge of physical, mental, and psychosocial effects of visual impairment; Ability to perform Visual skills training to include eccentric viewing preferred; Skilled in OT interventions to optimize occupational performance for people with vision loss; Ability to facilitate group training; Excellent verbal and written communication skills; Strong organizational skills and ability to plan ahead; Ability to develop and perform professional presentations and present programmatic information for tours; Proficiency in the use of Office software products and the internet required.
3. Experience: At least 1-years’ experience as a Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant, working with adult disabled population and facilitating group sessions required. Experience working in vision rehabilitation is strongly preferred.
4. Supervisory Responsibility: OT/OTA students, volunteers.
5. Physical: Able to effectively perform the specified duties; able to safely assist clients in standing at and operating stove and oven; able to lift at least 30-50 pounds for transporting equipment and materials;
6. Personality Traits: Professional who maintains appearance and attitude appropriate to the position; Superior verbal and written communicator who demonstrates integrity and confidentiality; Creative and proactive problem solver who is comfortable working on new initiatives; Team player who is responsive to directions and suggestions; Leader who assumes responsibility for project completion and enjoys team building, but is able to work independently; Confident practitioner who maintains focus on work in dynamic environments, solves problems effectively, and demonstrates good attention to detail.
7. Working Conditions: Mostly indoors, classroom, client home/work, and commercial environments. Travel within the southeastern Louisiana region. Mileage reimbursement provided for travel to/from client appointments. Valid driver’s license and clear driving record required with valid Louisiana insurance coverage.
8. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week salaried with itinerant schedule. Occasional weekend community outreach activities and training sessions.
9. Background Check, Drug Testing, and Motor Vehicle Report required: Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results.
10. Federal Suitability Requirements: N/A

This job description does not imply that these are the only duties to be performed. The incumbent in this position will

perform such other tasks as may be required for the effective operation of the Division/Department upon request by his/her supervisor.