Occupational Therapist

KEY FUNCTION:
Provide specialized geriatric assessment, analysis and rehabilitative treatment for older adults with multiple complex health needs and functional decline. Support interdisciplinary rehabilitation by providing occupational therapy to maximize function, cognition, maintain or improve independence, improve quality of life and assist with adaptation and compensation of functional limitations.

REPORTING:
Under the general direction of the Clinical Manager, North East Specialized Geriatric Centre.

DUTIES:
1. Administer and perform comprehensive geriatric, cognitive, functional, home safety, and environmental assessments.
2. Analyze and interpret assessment findings.
3. Develop, implement, evaluate, and modify treatment plans to optimize functional independence and assist the patient in achieving maximal functional, perceptual, and cognitive ability.
4. Document assessment findings, analysis, treatment plans, client goals, client’s ongoing progress, effectiveness of treatment plan, and government/insurance/legal forms according to the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario (COTO) standards and HSN policy.
5. Rehabilitate functional impairment, injury and medical complexity by implementing therapeutic programming, rehabilitative groups and other restorative interventions.
6. Prescribe equipment and environmental modifications.
7. Review and prioritize all incoming referrals.
8. Manage outreach clinic, support partners in care and provide education and capacity building for health care providers regarding geriatrics.
9. Create, implement, and deliver education to medical professionals, nurses, and physicians across the geriatric continuum of care.
10. Provide supervision and direction to occupational therapy assistants and assigned support personnel in accordance with the standards defined by the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario (COTO) as required.
11. Lead the overall planning, organization, implementation and delivery of the Frail to Fit falls prevention program.
12. Develop, implement and evaluate speciality programs (e.g. falls assessement clinic, memory/cognition group).
13. Recommend and educate compensatory and remedial strategies, activity modification, adaptive equipment, and assistive devices to promote safety and maximize functional independence.
14. Educate client and family in coping strategies, decision-making, and utilization of personal and community resources, and make referrals to community resources as required.
15. Collaborate with clients, families, interprofessional team members, and community partners throughout the therapy process and advocate to ensure client needs are met.
16. Complete home visits as required.
17. Maintain relevant statistical information.
18. Develop and implement clinical procedures.
19. Supervise student placements.
20. Evaluate patient care and satisfaction on an ongoing basis and formulate solutions for improvement.
21. Determine and align improvement projects with HSN’s Strategic Plan; monitor and adjust to achieve goal outcomes.
22. Participate in education and training specific to current, relevant federal and provincial health and safety legislation, standards and guidelines.
23. Educate and promote health, safety and wellness in the work place.
24. Represent the department or program on various committees and in meetings as required.
25. Perform other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION AND TRAINING:
1. Minimum of a four (4) year Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational Therapy, from an accredited university.
2. Current Certificate of Registration in good standing with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario (COTO).
3. Successful completion of the Geriatric Assessor training course or equivalent, Core Indigenous Cultural Competency Training Program, and the P.I.E.C.E.S. Training program are required.
4. Certification as an Assistive Devices Program (ADP) authorizer is preferred.
5. Ministry of Labour “Worker Health and Safety Awareness in 4 Steps” training certificate is required.

EXPERIENCE:
1. Minimum of three (3) years’ recent clinical experience working with older adults in a specialized geriatric rehabilitative setting.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:
1. Demonstrated knowledge of geriatric syndromes, functional decline and the principles of geriatric rehabilitation.
2. Demonstrated knowledge of health assessment, medications, and telemedicine procedures.
3. Demonstrated knowledge of health assessment tools (e.g. Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA), Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Clock Drawing Test, Phonemic/Semantic Fluency, Trails Making Test, Kingston Standardized Cognitive Assessment (KSCA), Behavioural Neurology Assessment (BNA), Geriatric Depression Scale, and Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia).
4. Demonstrated ability to exercise professional judgment, clinical reasoning, and critical thinking with the ability to apply ethical frameworks and choose the optimal assessment and treatment intervention.
5. Demonstrated knowledge of mobilizing community health resources and enhancing continuum of care.
6. Demonstrated knowledge of education curriculum development, implementation and evaluation.
7. Demonstrated knowledge of Indigenous and Francophone culture.
8. Demonstrated knowledge of Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.
9. Demonstrated knowledge of Specialized Geriatric Services community services and available resources.
10. Demonstrated ability to effectively problem-solve, set priorities, and manage conflict.
11. Demonstrated training, experience or utilization of quality improvement methodology for process improvement.
12. Demonstrated ability to independently identify issues, plan improvements, measure success and continue improvement.
13. Demonstrated excellent computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office software (e.g. Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook) and patient information systems.
14. Demonstrated superior interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
15. Demonstrated strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize workload.
16. Demonstrated discretion and maturity when handling confidential information.
17. Demonstrated commitment to the safety of co-workers and patients.

PERSONAL SUITABILITY:
1. Successful Vulnerable Sector Check is required.
2. Demonstrated ability to meet the cognitive, emotional, and environmental demands of the job.
3. Demonstrated ability to perform with minimal supervision.
4. Demonstrated ability to work effectively as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
5. Demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development.
6. Demonstrated professionalism in dealing with confidential and sensitive issues.
7. Demonstrated positive work record and good attendance record.
8. Ability to meet the physical and sensory demands of the job.
9. Ability to travel between local sites sand to the patient’s home.
10. Valid driver’s license with access to reliable vehicle is required.

Selection Process:  Candidates will be selected for this position on the basis of their skill, ability, experience and qualifications as identified in the resume and completed Application Form submitted. The Hospital reserves the right to conduct a formal interview where required.
 

Health Sciences North is committed to providing accommodations to applicants with disabilities to enable their participation in the recruitment, assessment, selection and hiring stages of employment.

HSN THANKS ALL APPLICANTS.
ONLY THOSE SELECTED FOR INTERVIEWS WILL BE CONTACTED.
WE WILL NOT ACCEPT APPLICATIONS AFTER THE CLOSING DATE AND TIME.