Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, HI

Tripler Army Medical Center is seeking an Occupational Therapist to join our growing team!  

At Tripler, you will practice alongside civilian and military health care experts and experience unique professional opportunities. Our staff serves by caring for our military but are not subject to military requirements. We operate within safe staffing standards - giving you time to provide exceptional care. 

Also known as the “big pink building on the hill”, Tripler is a 450 bed, Level II Trauma facility and participates in unique partnerships with civilian facilities to provide care to non-beneficiary trauma victims. 

Want to hear what it’s like to work at Tripler? Check it out: https://youtu.be/b6E1XBHlEyc 

In addition to salary, employees will receive an 8.9% Cost of Living Allowance (COLA); subject to change.   

Working for the Department of Defense comes with an abundance of benefits and perks to include competitive compensation packages, paid-time off, medical benefits, student loan repayments, and retirement package with Thrift Savings Plan to include matching employer contributions. For more information, please visit the following link: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/benefits/ 

Also known as the “big pink building on the hill”, Tripler is a 450 bed, Level II Trauma facility and participates in unique partnerships with civilian facilities to provide care to non-beneficiary trauma victims. 

Want to hear what it’s like to work at Tripler? Check it out: https://youtu.be/b6E1XBHlEyc 

In addition to salary, employees will receive an 8.9% Cost of Living Allowance (COLA); subject to change.  

Working for the Department of Defense comes with an abundance of benefits and perks to include competitive compensation packages, paid-time off, medical benefits, student loan repayments, and retirement package with Thrift Savings Plan to include matching employer contributions. For more information, please visit the following link: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/benefits/ 

MAJOR DUTIES

This position is located in an inpatient clinic, outpatient clinic, or other setting associated with the Medical Treatment Facility (MTF). Serve as the primary Occupational Therapist (OT) in support of the overall program objectives. The position requires the ability to work with great autonomy, balance activities, organize work, set priorities and delegate tasks, meet deadlines, analyze organizational problems and develop and implement effective solutions.

1. The OT performs a wide range of complex occupational therapy duties requiring an advanced practical knowledge of occupational therapy, evidence-based medicine and data collection. Responsibilities include providing evaluation and therapeutic interventions to a full range of wounded, ill, and injured service members and beneficiaries with needs concerned with, but not limited to, physical rehabilitation, musculoskeletal extremity injury, neurological and/or cognitive impairments, pain and behavioral health disorders. Utilize evaluation techniques to determine patient's current functional level using standardized/clinically accepted measurement and evaluation tools, clinical observations, patient/staff interviews, and review of medical histories. The primary area of emphasis is on evaluation and treatment of all levels of acute and chronic medical conditions and accompanying sequelae. Provides technical supervision of, oversight, and collaboration with the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA).

Specialized lymphedema rehabilitation skills include knowledge of and experience with assessment and treatment of patients with lymphedema and/or who have lymphatic disorders. Additional specialized required skills include providing manual lymph drainage, multi-layered compression bandaging, measurement for compression garments and use of manual techniques.

Develop and implement complex, goal-oriented treatment plans for patients presenting with a multiplicity of dysfunction and impairments in physical, functional and adaptive areas associated with functional activity. These areas may include, but are not limited to, activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, education, self-management skills, work, play, leisure, social participation, occupation and work/community reintegration. Plan, coordinate, and implement goal-oriented group and/or behavioral-focused individual OT treatment programs, selecting activities to increase or improve muscle strength, range of motion, coordination; teach alternative or compensatory techniques for accomplishing self-care and work tasks regardless of physical, mental, and/or cognitive deficits.

Applies the use of therapeutic modalities and new integrative techniques and technologies for the purpose of evaluation and ongoing treatment. Therapeutic modalities may consist of, but are not limited to, traditional physical agents such as air, water, electricity, sound, and radiant energy; therapeutic activity; therapeutic exercise; manual therapy, manual lymph drainage, functional activity or therapeutic massage. Additional emerging technologies within the realm of integrative medicine may be utilized.

Design treatment plans to meet patient/clinical objectives to maximize restoration of functional skills and occupational roles. Incorporate psychosocial and environmental factors that contribute to the impact of injury or illness on daily life and functional performance. Utilizes a cognitive behavioral perspective with activity/task performance. Utilizes technology in evaluation and ongoing treatment. Design, fabricate, or recommend adaptive equipment and/or orthotic devices to improve function.

Provide patient/family education on the injury/disease process and its effect on function, joint protection, energy conservation, ergonomic needs, work simplification, cognitive compensatory techniques, goal setting, stress management, and lifestyle redesign. Develop appropriate evaluation, treatment plans, and recommendations regarding function, adaptation and occupational performance, fitness and health promotion for retention in the military (in the current or new Military Occupational Specialty [MOS]), or transitioning out of the military.

2. Develop protocols and standing operating procedures (SOPs) for OT programs and individuals with lymphedema. Serve as OT Lymphedema subject matter expert for designated program. Contributes input for program development and U.S. Army Medical Command (MEDCOM) guidance as needed to ensure program consistency and practice standardization across Army medicine. Incorporate evaluation, treatment methods, and research trends and patterns to develop procedures, criteria, and policies to meet the emerging needs of the complex patient population. Serve as clinical educator for OT or OTA students. Provide education and consultation to patients and other providers including development of training programs. Document service provision and ensures such documentation and deliveries of OT services are in accordance with standards established by AOTA, The Joint Commission (TJC), and the facility.

3. Serve as a member of various integrated, interdisciplinary/planning teams that plan, direct, coordinate, and evaluate individual care plans for, and progress of, patients participating in the program. The OT will facilitate treatment programs for individuals with lymphedema and provide therapeutic interventions to meet functional goals within their daily living and working environments. Recommend patients for return to duty when appropriate and when rehabilitation is complete. Provide interdisciplinary consultation for OT-related aspects of care that integrates physical, cognitive, psychosocial, and functional aspects of rehabilitation to achieve optimal outcomes. Ensure collaboration, coordination, and communication among military chain of command, healthcare team, patient, families, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and other community agencies for soldiers returning to home and community environments.

4. Masters new techniques and modality proficiency by studying current literature. Conduct required research and analysis activities contributing to the advancement of the body of knowledge for the profession. Attend lectures, meetings, and conferences providing subject matter expertise when required. Attend department and section meetings as directed. Identify development and training needs of employees and advocate for and/or arrange for needed development and training. Utilize unique expertise to initiate and develop educational programs for specific groups and to facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration. Contribute to the marketing of OT throughout the MTF and across Army medicine. Develop, implement, and maintain continuous quality improvement activities related to OT.

5. As section administrator, incumbent may be responsible for the administrative management of the section including decisions concerning the delivery of care, contributing input to budgeting and staffing priorities, and coordinating resources throughout the community. Regulates the programs and practices of the clinic to the unique characteristics and needs of the local community.

Performs other duties as assigned.