Occupational Therapist I - Temporary
Company: Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority
Location: Cherokee
Posted on: February 15, 2026
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Job Description:
Job Description Job Description Primary Function Serves as an
Occupational Therapist providing quality therapy for the treatment
or prevention of physical disability or disease with special
equipment and therapeutic use of activities of daily living. As an
Occupational Therapist, incumbent participates in all aspects of
the department including program planning, delivery of patient
care, performance improvement and other duties as needed. Job
Duties and Responsibilities Practices the profession of
Occupational Therapy as a licensed Occupational Therapist,
requiring knowledge and application of concepts, principles and
practice of evaluation, treatment and prevention of physical
disability or disease. Responsible for a high degree of
professional competence, skill and judgement in assessment,
planning and carrying out the full range of treatment
interventions, patient and family education and discharge planning
for a variety of inpatient and outpatient conditions and
situations. Treatment objectives are complex and procedures involve
application of highly specialized skills and knowledge. May be
required to carry a wound care caseload, requiring advanced
knowledge in evaluation and treatment procedures based on wound
etiology and best practices, requiring knowledge of advanced wound
care products, and working in conjunction with department WOCNs.
Will agree to be trained in this area if not proficient in required
skills. Develops and coordinates team approach for complex clinical
problems. Performs case management as needed by interfacing with
Primary Care team or other referral sources. May function as a
Clinical Instructor for educational programs, which include the
training of Occupational Therapy and Occupational Therapy Assistant
interns from affiliated university and community college programs.
Provides in-service programs for PTs, OTs, Wound Care staff,
medical staff, nursing staff, other agencies and the community.
Maintains NC licensure standards and participates in Continuing
Education which may be directed by departmental needs. Shares CE
knowledge with fellow clinicians. Uses evidence-based knowledge to
drive clinical decision making, evaluation and treatments. Has or
is developing a concentration in a specialty area of Occupational
Therapy including but not limited to Certified Hand Therapist.
Participates in monitoring quality of patient care rendered by the
department, quality improvement programs and health promotion
activities pertinent to Occupational Therapy, including CIHA
hospital accreditation processes. May be required to participate in
managing and/or planning activities for the department by assuming
responsibility for completion of monthly statistics and forwarding
them to the Rehabilitation Department Manager for review and report
to Operations Executive Director, or be required to assume
responsibility for managing the department in absence of the
Manager or Supervising Therapist. Provides consultation to the
medical and clinical staff on matters pertaining to occupational
therapy and/or patient progress. Communication consistently
reflects professionalism, persuasiveness and is based on best
evidence. Represents Occupational Therapy regarding general program
planning for patient care services with multi-disciplinary care
teams or at rounds. Participates in clinical research efforts and
specialty clinics as needed. Develops and maintains clinical
processes and procedures under direction of the Department Manager
in accordance with all applicable accrediting organizations and
participates in applicable accreditation inspections. Maintains
clinical processes and procedures, including accurate documentation
of occupational therapy visits that facilitate reimbursement and
meet compliance standards. Uses safe work practices that include
following established policies and procedures for safety and
infection control, following universal blood/body fluid precautions
and reporting accidents/incidents promptly. Organizes and
prioritizes work efficiently to maintain a high level of
productivity without sacrificing quality. May be necessary to work
when Administrative Leave is granted if patient care would be
compromised. May be required to provide Occupational Therapy
evaluation and/or treatment at Tsali Care Center (Skilled Nursing
Facility) May be required to provide Occupational Therapy
evaluation and or treatment at CIHA’s satellite clinics (Snowbird
Clinic, Cherokee County Clinic) Education / Experience Graduate
from an accredited occupational therapy program or a certificate of
graduation from an equivalent program of occupational therapy from
an accredited college or university. Current North Carolina state
Occupational Therapist license or a state that is accepted as a
reciprocity. Entry level Bachelor’s Degree with 9 years of
experience, or Entry level Master’s Degree with 3-5 years of
experience is preferred, or Entry level Doctorate with 3 years of
experience is preferred. Job Knowledge Professional and clinical
knowledge of anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, neuro-anatomy,
neuro-psychology, biomechanics, disease entities including causes,
course of disease, symptoms and signs, treatment and prognosis.
Knowledge of therapeutic programs in occupational therapy and how
to devise them. Patient evaluation procedures and how to implement
comprehensive patient treatment plans. Expertise in the development
of various therapeutic activities and an understanding of the
education processes in order to instruct occupational therapy
patients and family members or caregivers. How to communicate and
work effectively with others under varying conditions and
situations. Knowledge of regulatory agencies, practices, policies,
and procedures and ability to develop, assess and maintain
documentation required by certifying/accrediting agencies.
Knowledge of Privacy Act regulations and HIPPA regulations
governing the confidential safeguarding and dissemination of
medical information/records. Ability to become proficient in using
the CIHA electronic health record Complexity of Duties Clinically,
the work involves planning and carrying out a full range of
occupational therapy and wound care treatments using a wide variety
of therapeutic modalities and techniques specific to standard
occupational therapy practice. A complex approach to clinical
decision making is required while accounting for changes in
patients’ needs or status, change in rehabilitation programs,
changes in coding or billing requirements, technological
developments in therapy and evolution of knowledge in the broader
medical fields. Effective and precise communication and
high-quality customer service skills are needed to provide
instruction, exchange information, gain assistance, and dispense
data among patients and families, medical providers and other
internal and external customers. Supervision Received The incumbent
is under the direct supervision of the Physical Therapy/Wound Care
Department Manager. The Supervisory Physical Therapist approves the
incumbent’s schedule. The incumbent will work an 8-hour shift
Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:30 am and 6:00 pm
predetermined by the incumbent and the supervisor. Rotation through
on-call weekend and holiday schedules as outlined in the OT
policies and procedures is required. The incumbent performs all
assigned duties in accordance with defined hospital regulations,
policies, and procedures in order to accomplish each identified
unit objective, priority, and deadline. Performs independently in
carrying out each assignment, which requires individual initiative
and judgment when interpreting a procedure relative to each
established policy and objective. Consults with the supervisor on
matters, that conflict with established regulations, policies, and
procedures. The incumbent must be able to work with very little
supervisory control. Responsibility for Accuracy A high degree of
accuracy is required in performing basic procedures and in
interpreting Occupational Therapy orders. Undetected errors could
have minimal or extreme results in patient comfort and recovery.
Review of work following established procedures, protocol, and
quality audits will prevent most errors. Judgmental failures result
in clinical services of poor quality, which affects service unit
Occupational Therapy goals, and health status of individual
patient. Contact with Others Has frequent contacts with coworkers,
other health professionals, patients, and their families, where
tact, courtesy, and diplomacy are required to maintain positive
relationships. Such contacts are of an informal nature occurring in
person, at routine meetings, or on the telephone. Requires
sensitivity to others while dealing with patients and their
families. Incumbent participates in the training of Occupational
Therapy students, facilitates/maintains working relationships with
academic personnel and OT interns from affiliated programs. Works
with volunteers. Confidential Data An above average degree of
discretion is required, and adherence to HIPPAA is mandated by
Federal Law. Must adhere to all hospital and tribal confidentiality
policies, procedures, and guidelines. Has access to all medical
records and prescribed treatment plans for patients; all of which
are confidential. Must maintain complete confidentiality of all
administrative, medical, and personnel records, and all other
pertinent information that comes to his/her attention or knowledge.
Adheres to all tribal and federal guidelines, policies, and
procedures for working with confidential data. Violations of such
confidentiality shall be cause for adverse action including
dismissal. Mental / Visual / Physical The incumbent exercises
initiative and independent judgement to plan and provide patient
care services. The work is considered moderately active and
requires the ability to walk, sit, reach, bend, and lift while
assisting patients with exercises, transfers and ambulation.
Prolonged standing and walking are required as well as the ability
to perform manual therapy. Fine motor skills are needed for wound
care and orthotic production. Job duties can be
mentally/emotionally stressful at times. Must have visual acuity,
manual dexterity, and the ability to speak and hear. May
occasionally move up to 50 pounds. Environment Involves various
hospital settings including inpatient ward, recovery center,
outpatient clinic, Emergency Department, and Primary Care.
Occasionally, other care settings may be used for comprehensive
care, as needed. Involves the use of standard PPE including
surgical mask, gloves, gowns and protective eyewear. Customer
Service Consistently demonstrates superior customer service skills
to patients/customers by demonstrating characteristics that align
with CIHA’s guiding principles and core values. Ensure excellent
customer service is provided to all patients/customers by seeking
out opportunities to be of service.
Keywords: Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority, Johnson City , Occupational Therapist I - Temporary, Healthcare , Cherokee, Tennessee
