OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Occupational Therapist is a licensed professional responsible for providing an efficient and effective Occupational Therapy service to both in-patients and out-patients. The role requires performing evaluations, coordination, and implementation of Occupational Therapy intervention to maximise each patient’s functional abilities in their daily living activities (ADLs). The incumbent must work co-operatively and collaboratively with the interdisciplinary team, serve as a patient advocate, and ensure service delivery meets legal, ethical, and institutional standards.

JOB DESCRIPTION

 Main Responsibilities

1. Conduct comprehensive and ongoing patient assessments to identify problems and needs, and develop appropriate treatment and discharge plans tailored to age, culture, support system, and clinical condition.

2. Provide high-quality occupational therapy interventions based on assessment findings and patient goals, ensuring continuity of care and maximising functional abilities.

3. Maintain accurate, complete, and timely documentation of assessments, treatment plans, progress notes, and billing in KCIS/EHR, and report significant findings to referring doctors.

4. Provide counselling, education, and home program guidance to patients, caregivers, and families to support self-management and continuity of care.

5. Work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary rehabilitation team including physiotherapists, speech therapists, doctors, nurses, and rehab aides to ensure coordinated service delivery.

6. Support administrative functions such as service operations, scheduling, coordination of rehabilitation activities, and maintaining statistical data for KPIs and performance indicators.

7. Participate in staff orientation, supervision, coaching, and mentorship of junior therapists, interns, and rehabilitation assistants; monitor their performance and care delivery.

8. Engage actively in continuous professional development (CPD) via training, workshops, competency assessments, privileging processes, and evidence-based practice updates.

9. Ensure compliance with KPJ policies, MSQH/JCI/ISO standards, MOH regulations, PDPA requirements, and ethical principles in all clinical and administrative tasks.

10. Implement, adhere to, and monitor services SOPs for assessments, interventions, documentation, and quality assurance processes.

11. Ensure a safe, hygienic, and functional therapy environment in accordance with hospital safety, infection control, occupational safety and health standards, and emergency procedures.

12. Oversee, maintain, and ensure proper functioning of all occupational therapy equipment, including conducting inspections, reporting faults, managing inventory, and ensuring asset safekeeping.

13. Participate in quality and safety initiatives including incident reporting, Q-Radar compliance, RCA investigations, continuous quality improvement initiative projects, and promoting a patient-safety culture.

14. Serve as a patient advocate, ensuring that therapy services comply with legal, ethical, and institutional standards while maintaining professionalism and positive work culture.

15. Facilitate duties assigned by the Head of Service or hospital management in supporting marketing and service promotion activities.

16. Perform any other responsibilities as assigned by immediate superior or hospital management.

JOB REQUIREMENT

• Minimum Requirement Diploma or Degree in Occupational Therapy from a recognized institution.

• Possession of a valid Practicing Certificate issued by the Malaysian Allied Health Professions Council (MAHPC) (or equivalent national body)

 Knowledge and Experiences:

• Minimum Requirement 2 years of clinical experience. (Nil minimum mentioned, but experience is preferred)

• Preferred Qualifications and Experience 5 years or more experience in a hospital, ambulatory care, or related setting.

 Skills & Competencies:

Special skills required

• Excellent communication and presentation skills

• Conflict resolution and negotiation abilities

• Empathy and active listening in patient and staff interactions

• Coaching and motivation for team empowerment

• Cultural sensitivity and emotional intelligence

• Collaborative leadership within multidisciplinary setting

Personal attributes

• Compassionate, patient-centered, and ethical in practice

• Adaptable and resilient under pressure

• Accountable and responsible for outcomes

• Proactive and solution-oriented

• Professional integrity and confidentiality

• Supportive team player with a positive attitude

• Committed to continuous learning and service improvement