Occupational Therapist

KEY FUNCTION: 

Use a holistic, client, and family-centred approach to optimize safety, functional ability, and well-being to enable participation in activities of daily living within the areas of self-care, productivity (e.g. work, home, and school) and leisure. Emphasize the physical, cognitive, affective, and spiritual components of clients’ functional performance and the physical, institutional, social, and cultural aspects of the environment for patients living with chronic pain and neurological conditions such as Acquired Brain Injury supported through the Outpatient Neurological Rehabilitation/Outpatient Brain Injury Rehabilitation.

REPORTING:   

Under the general direction of the Clinical Manager, Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Integrated Chronic Pain, Chronic Disease Self-Management, HAVEN/Hemophilia/Hemoglobinopathy, Outpatient Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program and Outpatient Neurological Rehabilitation Program.

DUTIES:

1. Administer and perform complex standardized and non-standardized  assessments.
2. Analyze and interpret assessment findings.
3. Participate in the intake and/or transitional care processes for referred patients.
4. Generate, implement, evaluate, and modify negotiated treatment plans on an individual or group basis within the outpatient or community setting.
5. Conduct home visits/home assessments as required.
6. Recommend and educate compensatory and remedial strategies, activity modification, adaptive equipment, and assistive devices to promote safety and maximize functional independence.
7. Fabricate, or modify clinical equipment, including wheelchairs, splints, and orthotics.
8. Implement strategies to address client safety issues and mitigate risk for critical injury and death.
9. Educate clients and families in coping strategies, decision-making, and utilization of personal and community resources, and make referrals to community resources as required.
10. Collaborate with clients, families, interprofessional team members, and community partners throughout the therapy process and advocate to ensure client needs are met.
11. Participate in the discharge planning process to ensure safe, effective, and efficient discharges.
12. Perform controlled acts subject to area of practice.
13. 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.  
14. Research and incorporate evidence based clinical practice and conduct or collaborate in research.
15. 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.
16. Ensure the privacy and confidentiality of personal health information is maintained.
17. Maintain the safety of the client and other staff.
18. Recommend, manage, and maintain inventory, and order essential supplies and equipment as required.
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. Determine and align improvement projects with HSN’s Strategic Plan; monitor and adjust to achieve goal outcomes.
22. Evaluate patient care and satisfaction on an ongoing basis and formulate solutions for improvement.
23. Contribute to learner development by providing academic support, mentorship, preceptorship and supervision as required.
24. Educate and promote health, safety and wellness in the work place.
25. Participate in education and training specific to current, relevant federal and provincial health and safety and Occupational Therapy practice legislation, standards and guidelines.
26. Represent the department or program on various committees and in meetings as required. 
27. Perform other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION AND TRAINING: 

1. Current Certificate of Registration in good standing with the COTO.
2. Certification as an Assistive Devices Program (ADP) authorizer is preferred.
3. Certificate in Non-violent Crisis Intervention course is required.
4. Ministry of Labour “Worker Health and Safety Awareness in 4 Steps” training certificate is required.

EXPERIENCE:

1. Minimum of one (1) year experience working with Chronic Pain patients.
2. Experience working in a functional pain program is preferred.
3. Experience working with people who have had brain injuries, strokes or other neurological conditions is preferred.
4. Experience working with people who have severe and persistent physical and/or mental illness is preferred.
5. Experience working in an inter-professional team is preferred.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES: 

1. Demonstrated knowledge of typical and atypical anatomy/neuroanatomy, physiology/neurophysiology, social sciences (e.g. psychology, sociology, and education), and development across the lifespan.
2. Demonstrated knowledge of the impact of atypical development on function to inform OT Service in the treatment of disease and conditions.
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 and application of client and family-centred models of care.
5. Demonstrated knowledge of COTO standards of practice and guidelines.
6. Demonstrated knowledge of Indigenous and Francophone culture.
7. Demonstrated knowledge and use of the Ontario Telemedicine Network (OTN; OTN-PCVC) and  willingness to use in clinical practice.
8. Demonstrated knowledge of current health care and privacy legislation.
9. Demonstrated knowledge of evidence-based clinical practice and best practice.
10. Demonstrated knowledge of community services and available resources.
11. 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.
12. Demonstrated ability to effectively problem-solve, set priorities, and manage conflict.
13. Demonstrated training, experience or utilization of quality improvement methodology for process improvement.
14. Demonstrated ability to independently identify issues, plan improvements, measure success and continue improvement.
15. Demonstrated excellent computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office software (e.g. Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook) and patient information systems.
16. Demonstrated superior interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
17. Demonstrated ability to manage routine correspondence, multiple tasks/projects, diversified workload and rapidly changing priorities and challenging deadlines.
18. Demonstrated discretion and maturity when handling confidential information.
19. Demonstrated commitment to the safety of co-workers and patients.

PERSONAL SUITABILITY: 

1. Successful Vulnerable Sector Check OR Broader Sector Check is required
2. Demonstrated professionalism in dealing with health care providers, clients, families, and the community.
3. Ability to use tact and discretion in dealing with health care providers and patients.
4. Proven ability to work independently and in a team environment.
5. Demonstrated ability to work effectively as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
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. Demonstrated ability to work flexible hours as required.
11. Valid driver’s license with access to reliable vehicle.
12. Ability to travel between local and regional sites and willingness to travel occasionally within Northern Ontario.

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. This posting is for an existing vacancy.
 

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.