Occupational Therapist

Join Northeastern Ontario’s Health Care Leaders!

Health Sciences North is an organization dedicated to being patient and family focused, digitally enabled, and socially accountable, while supporting and developing our people and advancing our academic and research impact for Northeastern Ontario. We pride ourselves on being a learning hospital, providing professional development opportunities for our staff.

Health Sciences North (HSN) is seeking an innovative individual for the position of Occupational Therapist to provide specialized comprehensive geriatric assessment, analysis, and treatment for older adults in acute care with complex health needs within the Geriatric Inpatient Consultation Service.

The ideal candidate will have a current Certificate of Registration in good standing with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario (COTO).  We are looking for someone with a minimum of three (3) to five (5) years’ experience working within Specialized Geriatric Services, completing assessments and treatment in acute care guided by the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The Geriatric Inpatient Consultation Service provides specialized assessment, intervention and recommendations for older adults.  The interdisciplinary team works in collaboration with patients, care partners, inpatient teams, and community partners, to manage geriatric syndromes and co-existing chronic conditions, optimize function, and support safe and effective care transitions.

If you enjoy working in a fast-paced, team environment and are looking for a rewarding career opportunity, you are encouraged to view the full job description on the HSN Careers Website.

At HSN/HSNRI, we prioritize the physical and psychological wellness of all our staff through a variety of initiatives, aimed at creating a supportive and engaging workplace. Our Wellness Committee actively promotes health and well-being offering tips and resources to support wellness of our staff. We pride ourselves on recognizing our dedicated team members through Years of Service Celebrations and Excellence in Action Awards, celebrating outstanding achievements across the organization. We host Employee & Medical Staff appreciation events, and celebrations throughout the year, fostering a sense of community. Leadership development training is available to staff as well as an education fund, ensuring our people are our number one asset.

HSN provides support through our Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP), which is available for all HSN staff and family members regardless of status, position, affiliation, etc.

HSN INCENTIVES

We offer a competitive salary and vacation, extended health and dental benefits, and relocation allowance to assist with moving expenses.

We are proud to participate in the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP), offering our valued employees the security and peace of mind that comes with a defined benefit pension plan. We understand the importance of financial well-being and believe that a strong pension, like HOOPP, recognizes our employees and provides a stable foundation for their future as part of the overall compensation package. HOOPP is also a multi-employer pension plan, meaning it can be transferred between many organizations in the province.  Join us and start building a future you can look forward to. For every dollar an employee contributes to HOOPP, the employer (HSN) contributes $1.26, meaning the plan is 55% funded by the employer, and 45% funded by the employee. All employees are eligible to join immediately upon hire.

REHABILITATION PROFESSIONALS INCENTIVE GRANT

The incentive grant program offers taxable incentive grants of up to $5,000 per eligible year, to a maximum of $15,000 paid over a three-year period to audiologists, chiropodists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and speech language pathologists who establish their practice in Northern Ontario and accept full-time positions which are fully funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) and which are approved by the Northern Health Programs (NHP). In order to be eligible for this incentive grant, the NHP must approve the application before the applicant establishes his/her practice. More information regarding this grant can be found here.

Interested applicants are asked to apply directly to requisition #6890 by November 28, 2024 at 11:59 pm on the HSN Careers Website at https://careers.hsnsudbury.ca/.

KEY FUNCTION: 

Provide specialized comprehensive geriatric assessment, analysis, and treatment for older adults in acute care with multiple complex health needs within the Geriatric Inpatient Consultation Service.

REPORTING:    

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

DUTIES:

1. Perform Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA), including comprehensive medical history, physical, functional, cognitive and psychosocial assessment, across acute care areas to establish a plan of care for specialized geriatric intervention as required.
2. Analyse and synthesize findings from the comprehensive geriatric assessment into a detailed clinical report identifying client’s priority needs and relevant treatment options designed to optimize their independence. 
3. Treat patients to optimize functional independence and physical performance promoting optimal function, mobility, physical activity and overall health and wellness.
4. Recommend and educate compensatory and remedial strategies, activity modification, adaptive equipment, and assitive devices to promote safety and maximize functional independence.
5. Manage and prioritize incoming referrals.
6. Perform ongoing evaluation to determine appropriate transition plan and discharge from service.
7. Provide guidance to the reactivation workers as required in accordance with the standards defined by the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario (COTO).
8. Implement strategies to address client safety issues and mitigate risk within the acute setting and transition to community.
9. Collaborate and coordinate care across specialized geriatric services.
10. Educate client and family in coping strategies, decision-making, and utilization of personal and community resources, and make referrals to community resources as required.
11. Act as a professional resource to build capacity in geriatric best practice for internal health care providers and community partners.
12. Collaborate with clients, families, interprofessional team members, and community partners throughout the therapy process and advocate to ensure client needs are met.
13. Support unit teams in the discharge planning process within the context of complex geriatric patient needs to ensure safe and effective discharges.
14. Perform controlled acts, subject to area of practice.
15. 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.  
16. Research and incorporate best evidence into clinical practice, and conduct or collaborate in research.
17. Educate and provide internships to student Occupational Therapists (OT)/Occupational Therapist Assistants/Physical Therapist Assistants, other members of an interprofessional health care team and their students, external health care professionals, and school/community staff/agencies.
18. Ensure the privacy and confidentiality of personal health information is maintained.
19. Maintain relevant statistical information.
20. Follow service-specific, Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) and Infection Prevention and Control practices, including monthly workplace inspections.
21. Evaluate patient care and satisfaction on an ongoing basis and formulate solutions for improvement.
22. Determine and align improvement projects with HSN’s Strategic Plan; monitor and adjust to achieve goal outcomes.
23. Participate in education and training specific to current, relevant federal and provincial health and safety and Occupational Therapy practice legislation, standards and guidelines.
24. Educate and promote health, safety and wellness in the work place.
25. Represent the department or program on various committees and in meetings as required. 
26. Perform other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION AND TRAINING: 

1. Current Certificate of Registration in good standing with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario (COTO).
2. Successful completion of the Geriatric Learning series or equivalent, Core Indigenous Cultural Competency Training Program, and the P.I.E.C.E.S. Training program are required.
3. Certification as an Assistive Devices Program (ADP) authorizer is preferred.
4. Ministry of Labour “Worker Health and Safety Awareness in 4 Steps” training certificate is required.

EXPERIENCE:

1. Minimum of three (3) to five (5) years’ experience working within Specialized Geriatric Services, completing assessments and treatment in acute care guided by the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES: 

1. Demonstrated knowledge of the geriatric patient in the acute care context.
2. Demonstrated knowledge of health assessment tools (e.g. Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA), Barthel Index, Confusion Assessment Method (CAM), Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Clock Drawing Test, Phonemic/Semantic Fluency, Trails Making Test, Kingston Standardized Cognitive Assessment (KSCA), Brain Network Activation (BNA), Geriatric Depression Scale, and Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia).
3. Demonstrated knowledge of OT theory, other theoretical frameworks relevant to the area of practice, and the Canadian Practice Process Framework (CPPF).
4. Demonstrated knowledge of Specialized Geriatric Services across the continuum, as well as primary care, community support services (i.e. Alzheimer’s society, Home and Community care, etc.) and other partners in care.
5. Demonstrated knowledge and application of client and family-centred models of care.
6. Demonstrated knowledge of COTO standards of practice and guidelines.
7. Demonstrated knowledge of current health care and privacy legislation.
8. Demonstrated knowledge of evidence-based geriatric clinical practice and best practice in geriatric care.
9. Demonstrated knowledge of outcome measures and research process/methodology.
10. 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.
11. Demonstrated ability to direct, supervise, and mentor support personnel, staff, and students.
12. Demonstrated training, experience or utilization of quality improvement methodology for process improvement.
13. Demonstrated ability to independently identify issues, plan improvements, measure success and continue improvement.
14. Demonstrated excellent computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office software (e.g. Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook) and patient information systems.
15. Demonstrated superior interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
16. Demonstrated ability to manage routine correspondence, multiple tasks/projects, diversified workload and rapidly changing priorities and challenging deadlines.
17. Demonstrated discretion and maturity when handling confidential information.
18. 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 work effectively as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
4. Valid driver’s license with access to reliable vehicle is required.
5. Willingness to travel to local sites and outreach sites to meet program needs.
6. Demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development.
7. Demonstrated professionalism in dealing with confidential and sensitive issues.
8. Demonstrated positive work record and good attendance record.
9. Ability to meet the physical and sensory demands of the job.
10. Ability to travel between local sites.

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.