Heather Heller
Hughesville
Summary
Dedicated occupational therapist with a strong background in evaluating patient needs and developing personalized treatment plans. Collaborates effectively with multidisciplinary teams to enhance care strategies and monitor patient progress, ensuring optimal outcomes through tailored interventions and continuous education.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Inpatient Rehabilitation Occupational Therapist
UPMC Williamsport
Williamsport
03.2024 - Current
- Evaluated patient needs through comprehensive assessments and clinical observations.
- Developed personalized treatment plans based on individual goals and capabilities.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to enhance patient care strategies.
- Implemented therapeutic activities to promote physical and cognitive rehabilitation.
- Educated patients and families on therapeutic techniques and home exercises.
- Monitored patient progress and adjusted treatments as necessary for optimal outcomes.
- Maintained accurate documentation of patient records and treatment interventions.
- Participated in continuous professional development through workshops and training sessions.
Therapy Services Supervisor
UPMC Muncy Place Skilled Nursing
Muncy
10.2020 - 03.2024
- Improved staff retention and satisfaction by communicating expectations and delivering timely performance reviews.
- Coordinated workflows to elevate team performance and foster long-term success.
- Implemented staff accountability initiatives for each operating unit.
- Worked alongside many other departments to ensure proper carry over throughout the facility.
- Maintained OT skills as well with treatments and evaluations on a regular basis.
Outpatient Occupational Therapist
Phoenix Rehabilitation and Health Service
Hughesville
05.2012 - 10.2020
- Educated caregivers about therapy processes and patient at-home care to promote positive long-term outcomes.
- Evaluated progress of each patient throughout treatments to adjust goals and realign strategies.
- Recommended adaptive or specialized equipment to help individuals in daily activities.
- Oversaw occupational therapy program, helping patients impaired by illnesses, injuries, and developmental concerns.
- Helped patients, caregivers, and employers optimize environments to be consistent with patient needs and expected capabilities.
- Tested and evaluated each patient's physical and mental abilities to set realistic goals.
- Delivered specialized occupational therapy techniques through individual and group sessions.
- Implemented physical exercises to help patients improve dexterity and movement.
- Supported comprehensive treatment approach by coordinating rehabilitation with ongoing medical care.
- Administered occupational therapy assessments, determining patient's level of functioning relative to age.
Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Blast IU 17
Williamsport
09.2010 - 08.2013
- Designed treatment plans that most effectively work towards each child's goals.
- Collaborated with patients exhibiting integumentary, musculoskeletal, developmental, and neurological dysfunctions to enhance therapeutic outcomes.
- Coordinated with parents, caregivers, and teachers to reinforce treatment plans and ensure consistent follow-through at home and school.
- Delivered OT services both at home and in the school setting.
Inpatient Occupational Therapist
Williamsport Hospital
Williamsport
04.1999 - 12.2010
- Established measurable goals and implemented actions based on evaluations to facilitate patient achievement of objectives.
- Incorporated objectives of interdisciplinary treatment plans and comprehensive assessments to develop occupational therapy care plans.
- Implemented appropriate treatment techniques to maximize patient function, promote healing and help control level of disability.
- Adapted conventional therapy techniques based on patients' physical and cognitive capabilities, intelligence level and discharge plans.
- Evaluated patient progress throughout treatments to adjust goals and strategies for enhanced effectiveness.
- Educated patients and families from admission to discharge with tailored instructions to optimize functional outcomes.
- Documented patients' evaluation progress, interim assessments and discharge summaries.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Occupational Therapy
Keuka College
Keuka Park, NYSkills
- Acute and rehabilitative care
- Initial patient assessments
- Patient Mobility Techniques
- Outcome Planning
- Patient positioning
- Modality training
- Simple splinting skills
- CPR
- Neuromuscular Rehabilitation
- Interpersonal Communication Skills
- Adaptive Equipment Training
- LSVT Big
Timeline
Inpatient Rehabilitation Occupational Therapist
UPMC Williamsport
03.2024 - Current
Therapy Services Supervisor
UPMC Muncy Place Skilled Nursing
10.2020 - 03.2024
Outpatient Occupational Therapist
Phoenix Rehabilitation and Health Service
05.2012 - 10.2020
Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Blast IU 17
09.2010 - 08.2013
Inpatient Occupational Therapist
Williamsport Hospital
04.1999 - 12.2010
Bachelor of Science - Occupational Therapy
Keuka College