Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapy

header-title-decorationOccupational Therapy

The Occupational Therapy Department at Rancho, with its long tradition of excellence and leadership in the rehabilitation community, has served as a model for the Occupational Therapy profession. The Department prides itself in the delivery of innovative, high quality, individualized care based on the latest evidence and research. Occupational Therapists partner with the individual, family members, and the interdisciplinary team to achieve the best outcomes in patient-centered care, with a strong commitment to educate and guide individuals to their highest level of independence.
Occupational Therapy addresses the physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges brought on by a disability or debilitating illness, and assists individuals with regaining the ability to participate in everyday activities. Occupational Therapy views each person as a whole being, taking into consideration unique individual needs, desires, activities, environments, and challenges. Occupational Therapists collaborate with individuals to customize a treatment plan that will address their specific goals.
Occupational Therapy provides:
•In-depth assessment of motion, strength, pain, endurance, coordination, cognition, vision, and how these impact participation in valued everyday activities, including self-care, work, and school
•Individualized one-on-one or group treatment to address impairments impacting the ability to participate in activities/occupations
•Assessment and training in the use of any equipment needed to increase independence in the home or community
•Assessment of home, work or school environments with the focus on recommending adaptations to increase safety and independence
•Training and education for caregivers related to specific needs
Occupational Therapy Programs and Services
Inpatient Occupational Therapy – We offer an intensive, patient-centered program focused on helping individuals resume their prior functional roles. This includes targeted interventions that promote independence and self-efficacy in the areas of basic self-care skills as well as the resumption and re-engagement in meaningful activities. A whole-body approach is implemented to mitigate physical and cognitive impairments and enhance the patient’s ability to carry out tasks and skills necessary to participate in the occupations they value most.
Outpatient – We offer a full range of traditional outpatient occupational therapy services via in-person or telehealth visits, as well as specialty programs to meet a variety of needs. Our specialty programs include:
o Driver Rehabilitation and Training
o Work Rehabilitation 
o Center for Applied Rehabilitation Technology (CART)
o Lifestyle Redesign
o Rancho Restorative Garden 
o Performing Arts of Rancho 

Health Services patients as well as community patients are welcome. A physician’s referral to Occupational Therapy is required. Health Services patients may obtain a referral by requesting one from their primary care provider. Once the referral is received they will be contacted to schedule an appointment. Community patients may contact the Outpatient Referral Office at (562) 385-6536 to begin the referral process.
Our Staff
Our staff are highly skilled and experienced in rehabilitation techniques and technology. We are a teaching hospital routinely training and mentoring OTA, OT Level I, OT Level II and OTD students from across the country. The OT Department provides Rancho sponsored continuing education courses to meet the needs of the clinician in the community. We routinely present at local and national conferences and serve as authors for OT textbooks.
Student Programs
Our fast-paced inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation environments provide OT Students and Residents the opportunity to establish clinical expertise, develop and implement new programs, engage in research, and practice their leadership skills. Fieldwork and residency placements as part of an Occupational Therapy degree program are available to Occupational Therapy and Occupational Therapy Assistant students. Assignments must be arranged through the school’s Academic Fieldwork Coordinator.
For more information on assignments, contact:
Robin Johnson, OTR/L, OT Clinical Fieldwork Coordinator at rjohnson@dhs.lacounty.gov or
Email oted@rancho.org
Professional Visitors Program
The Occupational Therapy Department Professional Visitors Program at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center provides tours and other customized experiences to Occupational Therapy professionals visiting from across the United States as well as from other countries. We offer tours that include a general overview of our facility, inpatient and outpatient services, and select specialty programs. Depending upon the interests of the individual or group, we can provide more customized Occupational Therapy Department-specific experiences that might include a tour of Rancho’s Technology Lab with its state-of-the-art robotics equipment, the Center for Applied Rehabilitation Technology (CART), the Occupational Therapy-directed Rancho Works Café & Gift Shop, the Lifestyle Redesign informed program, the Driver Rehabilitation program, and Work Rehabilitation services.
To find out more about the Occupational Therapy Professional Visitors program, including our fee schedule, or to arrange a tour, please contact oted@rancho.org
Careers
Occupational therapists at Rancho work in a state-of-the-art environment that values occupation-based, evidence-based, and patient-centered care. As a member of the occupational therapy team, you will work with expert clinicians who are committed to helping patients maximize their abilities and engage in the daily activities they want and need to do most. https://dhs.lacounty.gov/rancho/careers/
For more information, contact:
Michele Berro, MA, OTR/L
Acting Director of Occupational Therapy and Recreation Therapy
Phone: (562) 385-7464
Fax: (562) 385-6690
E-mail: mberro@dhs.lacounty.gov