Description
Evaluate and treat hospitalized patients to restore independence in self-care, functional mobility, and daily routines. Use therapeutic techniques, environmental adaptations, and task modification within medical precautions, and collaborate with the inpatient team on early mobilization, safety, and discharge planning.
- • Perform comprehensive OT evaluations of ADLs, cognition, vision, upper-extremity function, and functional mobility for inpatients.
- • Review medical records and consult with providers to determine precautions and set realistic, patient-centered goals.
- • Develop and implement individualized plans of care focused on self-care, transfers, and safe participation in hospital routines.
- • Deliver therapeutic activities and exercises to improve strength, endurance, coordination, and activity tolerance.
- • Monitor vital signs and patient response to activity, modifying sessions per medical status and protocols.
- • Educate patients and caregivers on energy conservation, joint protection, fall prevention, and delirium reduction strategies.
- • Train patients and families in safe ADL techniques, bed mobility, transfers, and use of adaptive equipment.
- • Fabricate or fit upper-extremity splints and recommend durable medical equipment, adaptive devices, and wheelchairs.
- • Assess home environment needs and provide discharge recommendations, including home modifications and services.
- • Document evaluations, daily treatments, progress, and discharge summaries in the EHR per hospital standards.
- • Reassess progress, update goals, and report outcomes in interdisciplinary rounds and care conferences.
- • Coordinate with PT, SLP, nursing, and case management to plan care and ensure safe transitions of care.
- • Implement early mobilization and ADL retraining within medical and surgical precautions and with lines or drains in place.
- • Prepare, clean, and maintain treatment areas and equipment following infection control policies.
- • Prioritize caseload and respond to high-acuity consults, including stroke, ICU, and post-surgical patients.
- • Participate in quality improvement, evidence-based practice, and outcome measurement initiatives.
- • Arrange referrals and handoffs to outpatient, home health, or community programs for continued rehabilitation.
- • Provide orientation, education, and supervision to OT students and hospital staff on OT roles and techniques.
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Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
