e assessment process.
Occupational therapy staffing in nursing home and other adult care organizations increasingly is handled on a contracting-out basis. Under such arrangements, occupational therapists either are independent contractors or they are employed by an organization that provides specialized professional health services to institutions such as nursing homes. Some nursing homes continue to employ occupational therapists in staff positions.
Job Responsibilities of Occupational Therapists
The physical therapist evaluates and treats a patient's musculoskeletal and cardiopulmonary status. The occupational therapist is responsible for evaluating the patient's functional status, taking into consideration patient interests and life roles, and provides therapeutic activities to enhance performance in self-care, work, and leisure tasks (Arford, Michel, McCue, & Hiott, 1996).
As a qualified health care professional in the promotion and evaluation of function, the occupational therapist is uniquely qualified to assess a patient's functional status and to make recommendations for continuing care (Cefalu, 1995). Unique responsibilities of an occupational therapist may include:
1. diagnosing problems related to psychomotor and musculoskeletal statuses,
2. establishing priorities for occupational therapy goals,
3. performing follow-up assessments of patient progress,
4. training family members and other care givers to assist patients in adhering to occupational therapy treatment regimens, and
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