Occupational Therapist (Home Health & Hospice- Full Time)

About North Country Healthcare (NCH):

North Country Healthcare is a non-profit affiliation of four medical facilities, Androscoggin Valley Hospital, North Country Home Health & Hospice Agency, Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital, and Weeks Medical Center, located in the White Mountains Region of New Hampshire. NCH includes numerous physicians and medical providers at multiple locations. This leading comprehensive healthcare network which employs hundreds of highly-trained individuals delivers integrated patient care through three community hospitals, specialty clinics, and home health and hospice services. NCH remains committed to the health and well-being of the communities we serve. As a valued team member this role emphasizes advancing High-Reliability Organization (HRO) principles, embedding a culture of safety, accountability, and consistent high performance.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Adhering to System Values, Service Excellence and Standards of Behavior, the Occupational Therapist provides skilled occupational therapy services to home health clients with impairments, functional limitations, disabilities, or changes in physical function and health status resulting from injury, disease, or other causes. This role provides prevention and wellness services, including screening and health promotion, and collaborates with physicians, clients, caregivers, and interdisciplinary team members to support safe, effective, client-centered care in the home setting.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Graduate of an accredited school of Occupational Therapy.

Certification:

• Successful completion and ongoing maintenance of required life support certification in accordance with the NCH Life Support Certification Policy.
• All employees and contracted staff will have either successful completion of an American Heart Association* accredited course in Basic Life Support (BLS), or ACLS and PALS combined. (for clinical staff), Heartsaver CPR AED (for nonclinical staff), and renewal on a regular basis.

*Refer to the NCH Life Support Certification Policy for position specific requirements.

Licensure:

• Valid and current New Hampshire license to practice occupational therapy.
• Access to an operable, insured motor vehicle and a valid driver’s license with an acceptable safe driving record.

Skills:

• Clinical skills necessary to assess, plan, implement, document, and evaluate occupational therapy services for home health clients.
• Strong communication, documentation, organization, time management, and interdisciplinary collaboration skills.
• Ability to educate clients and caregivers regarding safety, home exercise programs, equipment use, and follow-up care.

Work Experience:

• Minimum of one year of acute care experience required; prior home care experience preferred.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Performs comprehensive occupational therapy assessments and evaluations, including home safety, pain, nutrition, fall risk, functional status, and durable medical equipment needs.
2. Develops, implements, and updates individualized plans of care based on assessment findings, client needs, physician orders, and applicable regulatory requirements.
3. Provides skilled occupational therapy interventions, prevention and wellness services, screening, health promotion, and client/caregiver education to support safe function in the home.
4. Instructs clients and caregivers regarding safety, home exercise programs, follow-up appointments, equipment use, and other indicated written instructions.
5. Evaluates client outcomes, monitors response to treatment, and communicates progress, concerns, and changes in condition to physicians and appropriate team members.
6. Coordinates the delivery of care, participates in case conferences as needed, and demonstrates effective multidisciplinary collaboration to support quality client care.
7. Ensures appropriate utilization of visits and services ordered through accurate, timely, and compliant documentation.
8. Completes client care documentation thoroughly, reliably, and efficiently in accordance with agency guidelines, payer requirements, and regulatory standards.
9. Completes required documentation within established timeframes, including visit documentation, supervisory visits, orders, OASIS-related documentation, and other required clinical records.
10. Supervises Home Health Aides in accordance with applicable regulations and agency policy.
11. Communicates visit schedules, admissions, weekend reports, changes in status, and other pertinent information to clients, caregivers, supervisors, and team members in a timely and professional manner.
12. Maintains professional appearance and conduct, including punctuality, regular attendance, appropriate identification, and adherence to agency expectations while representing the organization in client homes and the community.
13. Practices in accordance with current ethical principles, client rights, confidentiality requirements, HIPAA regulations, and nondiscrimination standards.
14. Comply with all applicable state and federal regulations, agency policies and procedures, infection control standards, exposure control requirements, and drug-free workplace expectations.
15. Assists with orientation of new associates and staff education as needed, supports agency program awareness, and contributes to team effectiveness and continuous improvement.
16. Performs additional duties as assigned.
17. Performs additional duties as assigned.

CONDITION OF WORK SETTING AND ACCESS TO CLIENT HOME:

This role requires work in clients’ homes and travel in varied weather conditions. Employees are expected to understand and accept the conditions that may be present in each residence, while also following agency procedures for reporting unsafe environments. The agency reserves the right not to send employees into settings determined to be unsafe or unhealthy. Employees must recognize that they are invited as guests in the client’s home and are expected to always conduct themselves professionally and respectfully.

North Country Healthcare is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees. North Country Healthcare and its affiliates do not exclude people or treat them differently because of race, color, national origin, age, disability or any other protected class. Employment decisions are made based on job‑related qualifications, skills, and business needs, and without unlawful discrimination in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

North Country Healthcare provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and to individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, as required by law. Applicants who require reasonable accommodation to complete the application process, participate in interviews, or undergo pre‑employment testing should contact NCHRecruiting@northcountryhealth.org.