Occupational therapy is a type of healthcare practice that focuses on helping individuals to achieve independence in their daily activities. Occupational therapists (OTs) help people of all ages—from infants to the elderly—to engage in meaningful tasks and activities that lead to improved quality of life. The practice of occupational therapy is based on the belief that meaningful activities and purposeful roles play an essential role in promoting mental and physical health. The acronym PRN stands for ‘as needed’, and is a term used in many healthcare fields, including occupational therapy. A PRN occupational therapist is an occupational therapist who works on an ‘as needed’ basis, usually in specific circumstances or for specific patients. In this blog post, we’ll explore what a PRN occupational therapist is, and how they differ from full-time occupational therapists. We’ll also discuss the types of duties a PRN OT can typically be expected to perform, and the benefits of choosing a PR
What does a PRN occupational therapist do?
PRN occupational therapists help patients with their daily activities to improve their well-being in settings like rehab centers, hospitals, nursing homes, or patient homes. Patients with a recent diagnosis, those who have just had an accident, or those who have a chronic condition are typically involved in this. Several duties of this role include:
Patient assessment
When a patient’s doctor recommends occupational therapy, PRN occupational therapists evaluate the patient’s mental and physical health. This may entail determining the degree of their discomfort, their physical capabilities, and their environment. Occupational therapists frequently evaluate patients’ homes and places of employment to determine what tools they might need to manage their own lives. After that, you could either use this evaluation to develop a treatment plan yourself or share it with other occupational therapists to do so.
Treatment plan development and implementation
For patients, you might draft treatment plans as an occupational therapist on call. Clear assessments and procedures for other occupational therapists can guarantee the patient receives the proper treatment because you could only work part-time. Additionally, you might carry out various phases of a patient’s treatment plan.
As a PRN therapist, you might occasionally see a patient for just one session, so you’d need to be aware of the plan, details from previous sessions, and session objectives. For instance, as part of a larger treatment strategy, you might only perform hand exercises to help a patient with functional mobility. To ensure that the patient’s treatment is effectively continued by others, this also entails writing concise notes of each individual meeting with the patient.
Education
You could engage in a variety of educational activities as a PRN therapist. You might work with a single patient or a group of patients to teach them about the techniques they can use to better their condition or how they can practice in between appointments. This includes ensuring proper use and safety precautions. You might also consult with families or other caretakers to offer advice on how to support a patient’s progress through treatment.
Progress tracking and communication
It was frequently possible to monitor patient progress and share it with other people working in the facility. This may entail gathering and sharing with other occupational therapists your research, assessments, and session notes. Depending on the needs for treatment, you might also work with professionals at several facilities. For instance, if a patient’s problem is related to their spine, you might let their chiropractor know about overall progress so they can modify their treatment plans.
Individual schedule management
PRN therapists may work regularly scheduled shifts that change or be available on call as needed to cover requests for time off from occupational therapists. Depending on the needs of the facilities, you could perform one or more of these tasks. For instance, if you are filling in for an occupational therapist for a number of appointments, you can just keep an eye on the patient’s development. Other times, if other occupational therapists have other schedule commitments, you might work with the same patient every week throughout their treatment.
What is a PRN occupational therapist?
When necessary, an occupational therapist on PRN will work for various facilities. This implies that they may fill shifts that facilities need filled, carry out tasks in which they are particularly skilled, or alter their schedules in accordance with their own availability. They frequently work with patients part time and carry out many of the same tasks as occupational therapists who work full time, much like per diem, or per the day, nurses and specialists.
Skills of a PRN occupational therapist
A good PRN occupational therapist needs the following abilities:
Adaptability
All occupational therapists must be flexible because they treat individuals who require individualized assessments and treatment plans. This can be crucial for PRN occupational therapists who might work with different patients during each shift as opposed to treating the same patient over time. When working in offices, other facilities, or visiting patients’ homes, facility managers may ask you to adapt to their particular environments.
Communication
PRN therapists can communicate with their coworkers and patients in a variety of ways. Actively hearing a patient describe their condition, including specifics like their level of pain, trends, abilities, and changes, can be the first step in developing strong communication skills. Following that, creating a detailed treatment plan can assist both facility managers in determining the resources they may need to offer and patients in realizing their obligations regarding enhancing their health.
Additionally, you employ your communication abilities in work-related and administrative tasks. You can share your availability with facilities so they can make appointments that meet patients’ needs since you frequently make your own schedule. Additionally, you could work together with other occupational therapists to discuss your findings and come up with original treatment strategies or modifications.
Empathy
Occupational therapists require empathy when treating their patients. This entails sharing the objective of enhancing their health and demonstrating sincere concern for their well-being. Empathy may call for tolerance, attentiveness, and the capacity to comprehend each patient’s needs in order to develop interventions that will enable patients to resume their ideal lives. As you work with various patients and observe various situations, such as illnesses and accidents, you may develop empathy skills, which may motivate you to care about the favorable outcomes you might influence.
Independence
Even though they may collaborate with other professionals on treatment plans and resource requirements, occupational therapists typically work alone with their patients. This could entail independently using other abilities, such as independent problem-solving and writing abilities, while assessing a patient and their progress. As they frequently create their own schedules, PRN therapists operate even more independently. This could imply that you speak up for yourself when looking for new opportunities and approaching healthcare providers and facilities to demonstrate your special abilities.
Pros and Cons of Working PRN OT
FAQ
What does PRN mean in OT?
PRN stands for “when necessary,” “as circumstances require,” or “as needed,” and is derived from the Latin phrase “pro re nata” (MedicineNet). This definition sums up occupational therapy (OT) perfectly, as a PRN OT is hired to work however much the facility requires.
How does per diem work occupational therapy?
Per diem positions as an occupational therapist (OT) are those that permit you to work daily or as-needed for an employer. In this position, you might give patients OT services during your shift, assess their needs to support full-time therapists, and work with caregivers.
How do PRN jobs work?
The initials stand for pro re nata, a Latin expression that means as required or as the circumstance demands. When called upon, a PRN employee works to cover for an absent worker or handle a unique situation. Employees with PRN jobs have the opportunity to earn extra money and the freedom to select their own assignments and shifts.
Which occupational therapist makes most money?
- Nursing care facilities: $92,260 per year.
- Home healthcare services: $91,830 per year.
- Hospitals: $86,910 per year.
- Offices: $86,830 per year.
- Elementary and secondary schools: $76,560 per year.
