Occupational Therapist

Join Northeastern Ontario’s Health Care Leaders!

Health Sciences North (HSN) is seeking an innovative individual for the position of Occupational Therapist to provide a holistic, client, and family-centred approach to assessment, analysis and treatment to optimize safety, functional ability, and well-being to enable participation in activities of daily living for older adults with multiple complex health needs. In this role, you will provide care to patients in acute care transitioning to the Acute and Reactivation Care Centre.

The ideal candidate will have a minimum of a four (4) year Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational Therapy (OT), from an accredited university, with 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 two (2) years’ experience working within a healthcare environment and recent experience working with older adults. Candidates that possess Certification as an Assistive Devices Program (ADP) authorizer are preferred.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The Acute and Reactivation Care Centre (ARCC) is a new 52 bed unit specializing in providing best practice care for hospitalized older adults. The goal of our unit is to treat and stabilize acute medical conditions, while using a rehabilitative care philosophy to prevent/reduce functional decline in hospital and avoid premature admission to LTC.

The interdisciplinary team in the ARCC is provided with specialized training to support the older adult population. We work together to set goals and plan for supportive discharge into the community. Our robust team consists of a Geriatrician, Care of the Elderly Physicians, Primary Care Providers, Nurses, PSWs, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Reactivation Workers, Social Workers, Clinical Behaviour Response Specialist, Geriatric Assessor, Geriatric Nurse Clinician, Recreation Therapist, and Ward Clerks – all who have interest in better outcomes for older adults.

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.

HSN INCENTIVES

We offer a competitive salary and vacation, extended health and dental benefits, and relocation allowance to assist with moving expenses. In addition, there may be additional monetary incentives available upon hire.

*Note: the salary information is reflective of rates as of April 1, 2021. These rates are subject to change pending the completion of collective bargaining between HSN & ONA Paramedical.

We also offer Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP)! All employees are eligible to join immediately upon hire. HOOPP is a defined benefit pension plan, and one of the leading pension plans in Canada. HOOPP is a multi-employer pension plan, meaning it can be transferred between many organizations in the province. HOOPP is currently offered in over 600 organizations in Ontario. 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.

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 is a proud participant in the Rural Northern Immigration Pilot. This program is designed to spread the benefits of economic immigration to smaller communities by creating a path to permanent residence for skilled foreign workers who want to work and live in one of the participating communities. More information regarding this program can be found here.

Interested applicants are asked to apply directly to requisition # 4061 on the HSN Careers Website at https://careers.hsnsudbury.ca/. This opportunity will remain posted until filled.

KEY FUNCTION: 

Provide a holistic, client, and family-centred approach to assessment, analysis and treatment to optimize safety, functional ability, and well-being to enable participation in activities of daily living for older adults with multiple complex health needs. Provide care to patients in acute care transitioning to the Reactivation Care Centre.

REPORTING:    

Under the general direction of the Clinical Manager, Reactivation Care.

DUTIES:

1. Administer and perform complex standardized and non-standardized assessments in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team.
2. Analyze and interpret assessment findings to establish patient centered goals.
3. Perform a comprehensive medical history and physical assessment of patients to establish a clinical impression for intervention as required.
4. Treat patients to optimize functional independence and physical performance promoting optimal function, mobility, physical activity and overall health and wellness.
5. Recommend and educate compensatory and remedial strategies, activity modification, adaptive equipment, and assitive devices to promote safety and maximize functional independence.
6. Provide care during transition from acute care to the Reactivation Care and additional care destination outside of HSN, including partnership with internal and community resources to maximize successful transitions.
7. Provide guidance, supervision and delegation of appropriate interventions 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 patient safety issues and mitigate risk within the acute setting and transition to community.
9. Educate patients and families in coping strategies, decision-making, and utilization of personal and community resources, and make referrals to community resources as required.
10. Act as a professional resource to build capacity in geriatric best practice for internal health care providers and community partners.
11. Collaborate with clients, families, interprofessional team members, and community partners throughout the therapy process and advocate to ensure client needs are met.
12. 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.  
13. Educate and provide internships to student Occupational Therapists (OT)/Occupational Therapist Assistants/Physical Therapist Assistants, other members of an interprofessional health care team as required.
14. Ensure the privacy and confidentiality of personal health information is maintained.
15. Follow service-specific, Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) and Infection Prevention and Control practices, including monthly workplace inspections.
16. Evaluate patient care and satisfaction on an ongoing basis and formulate solutions for improvement.
17. Determine and align improvement projects with HSN’s Strategic Plan; monitor and adjust to achieve goal outcomes.
18. Participate in education and training specific to current, relevant federal and provincial health and safety and Occupational Therapy practice legislation, standards and guidelines.
19. Educate and promote health, safety and wellness in the work place.
20. Represent the department or program on various committees and in meetings as required. 
21. Perform other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

      EDUCATION AND TRAINING: 

1. Minimum of a four (4) year Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational Therapy (OT), from an accredited university.
2. Current Certificate of Registration in good standing with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario (COTO) is 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 two (2) years’ experience working within a healthcare environment.
2. Recent experience working with older adults is required.

        KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES: 

1. Demonstrated knowledge of community support services, home and community care, rehabilitative services, adult day programs and other social services.
2. Demonstrated ability to mentor assistants.
3. Demonstrated knowledge of typical and atypical anatomy/neuroanatomy, physiology/neurophysiology, social sciences (e.g. psychology, sociology, and education), and development across the lifespan.
4. 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).
5. Demonstrated knowledge of OT theory, other theoretical frameworks relevant to the area of practice, and the Canadian Practice Process Framework (CPPF).
6. Demonstrated knowledge of Specialized Geriatric Services across the continuum, primary care, community support services (i.e. Alzheimer’s society, Home and Community care, etc.) and other partners in care.
7. Demonstrated knowledge and application of client and family-centred models of care.
8. Demonstrated knowledge of COTO standards of practice and guidelines.
9. Demonstrated knowledge of current health care and privacy legislation.
10. Demonstrated knowledge of evidence-based geriatric clinical practice and best practice in geriatric care.
11. Demonstrated knowledge of outcome measures and research process/methodology.
12. 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.
13. Demonstrated knowledge of OT techniques relevant to the area of practice.
14. Demonstrated training, experience or utilization of lean methodology for process improvement.
15. Demonstrated ability to independently identify issues, plan improvements, measure success and continue improvement.
16. Demonstrated excellent computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office software (e.g. Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook) and patient information systems.
17. Demonstrated superior interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
18. Demonstrated ability to manage routine correspondence, multiple tasks/projects, diversified workload and rapidly changing priorities and challenging deadlines.
19. Demonstrated discretion and maturity when handling confidential information.
20. 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. Demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development.
5. Demonstrated professionalism in dealing with confidential and sensitive issues.
6. Demonstrated positive work record and good attendance record.
7. Demonstrated ability to meet the physical and sensory demands of the job.

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.
 

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